"GIGO" Garbage In, Garbage Out

     

 

How to get better writing results

 

Most people who are tech-savvy are familiar with the term GIGO. It’s a programming reference. If they program sloppy, slop is what they got.

The same idea applied to writing. No one likes lazy prose or a writer who rushes through a story and thinks it’ll be fine.

 

Nope.

 

As a novel writer or whatever form of writing you do, your best is favorable.

 

Readers know when a story isn’t well planned or plotted. If you want to gain readers, come with you’re A game in play. Communication between the characters and readers is a priority.

 

You want to grab and hold their attention from Hello. Any writer worth their salt understand you must make a connection within those first few paragraphs. If not, you’ll lose them forever.

 

There are also techniques and writing aids authors can use to help them improve their skills.

 

The best practice is to think about the readers. They are the next in line after your book has passed editing. Even if the publisher thinks it’s great, the readers will validate that theory if it’s true.

 

Writing exercises are another great way to stay fresh with new ideas and upgrade your writing skills.

 

Avoid making costly rookie mistakes such as using overused words and common phrases.

 

I like sweets as much as the next person. The same doesn’t apply if your story is bursting at the seams with too much filler. Less is more. Mazes are fun, but if they are too intricate, you’ll avoid them in the future.

 

Punctuation is key and necessary, and a great idea to use a writing template or add-in to help with placement in all the right areas.

 

Capitalization isn’t complex in the writing system. All sentences start with one and should use accordingly. I understand there are some tricky instances when considering whether you should or not. Remember the writing principles, or Google them if you can’t.

 

Reading is fundamental and will keep you fresh and your vocabulary on point if you habitually read daily.

 

A technique I utilize through Microsoft Word is the read-aloud feature. The best way to catch errors is to hear the words spoken orally. You gain the story’s overall tone and capture the character’s voices.

 

These are a few tips and techniques, but for more help, join writing groups or listen to podcasts, hint-hint, or web search for additional information.