A Writer’s Coach
By Jack Hart
Chapter 1: Method
Think first—write later
Talk it out
Shrink you subject
Write thesis
Doodle
Chapter 2: Process
Prove it
Plan it
Structure it
Write it
Edit it
Chapter 3: Structure
Don’t stall on the first line
Make paragraphs work for you!
(Mix short, medium and long)
Have a clear topic
Circle around—full circle open and close
Avoid that lame last line
Chapter 4: Force
Find action verbs
Avoid flabby suffixes
Prefer active voice
Minimize expletives
(Like it is or there is)
Be bold
Chapter 5: Brevity
Question everything
Make each modifier work
Don’t overfill
Kill creeping nouns
Avoid complicated tenses
Chapter 6: Clarity
Read your rough draft aloud
Add some periods
Define your terms
Think about context
Attach your pronouns
Chapter 7: Rhythm
Listen for cadence or flow
Look for alliteration
Balance sentences and paragraphs in length
End with a BANG
Chapter 8: Humanity
Tell stories to get stories
Watch for meaningful vignettes
Look for little stories that reveal character
Quote selectively
Let the characters talk to one another
Chapter 9: Color
Get in touch with yourself
Pick three details
Work backward
Play the simile/metaphor game
Don’t add too many clichés
Chapter 10: Voice
Write the way you talk
Execute the worst offenders
(Do not use over-inflated language)
Think small
Start with subject
Edit style later
Chapter 11: Mechanics
Find basics sentences with Subject/Predicates
Avoid reflective pronouns (Self)
Try to modifiers separately
Listen for accent
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