I really appreciate this, you know. It's very good advice for any beginning writer.

Well, you wrote this a long time ago, but just because I'm opinionated, I'll still throw in my two cents.

1) Grammar & Spelling should've gone to Point #1. Some people may choose to go through dull first sentences and dull stories in general, but normal people can't go through HORRIBLE grammar and spelling. Hence, proper grammar and spelling is very important.

In the meantime, you might want to proofread yourself. :p Your spelling errors are not GLAREING and could even pass as typos--which are forgivable--but ones we could do without.

2) Point #8: I think that shouldn't be a problem for most writers. So far only fantasy writers choose to name their character Ff'lrxyz-Sryb!veh or something to that effect. The thing is, I pointed it one to one writer and he insisted he could pronounce it.

3) Point #9: Yeah, I remember thinking the same thing once upon a time, but now I think it just depends. Stories written in the eighteenth/nineteenth-century frequently use first person point of view, and I doubt they'd be as good had they used third person point of view. I don't know why, but I know that's a fact.

That being said, I think I know what you meant. Stories using a first person point of view tend to be autobiographical, which is annoying. It's best avoided by young--literally and figuratively--writers. On a related note, you could also add to keep stories in a non-diaries/letters form. It has been overdone, and while some writers can pull it off, most writers--especially teenage girls--can't.

4) Finally, you might also want to say something about character development. There are stories that would have been great, what with the unusual plot and all, but the authors don't seem to know their own characters. It can actually become annoying, unless the character is supposed to have a multiple personality disorder.

Excellent advice! You've done a great job articulating some concepts that are, in ways, abstract, and not always simple to grasp. I tend to agree with you about third person perspective, although I want to stick up for first person also. First person is, by far, more difficult to use effectively, but with the right genius behind it, it can be done. Actually, my favorite book is written in first person (Catspaw by Joan D Vinge). Vinge uses the fact that her narrator and lead character is a telepath to make up for some of the shortcomings of first person, but artfully, and not in a way that equals 'third-person-through-first-person'. Actually, the way she handles the perspective is one of the most impressive aspects of the book. Oh well, point is, it can be done with enough imagination, especially (maybe only) in science fiction and fantasy genres.

One element I didn't see anything about is tense... I won't go so far as to say that past tense is always a better idea than present, but I have yet to see a story on fictionpress begin in present tense that doesn't wind up either slipping into past tense or stumbling awkwardly back and forth without the author noticing it. Since it's such a common problem, I guess the appropriate advice would be that if past tense feels more natural, just use past tense rather than forcing the style into something else. And if someone does want present tense, to be particularly careful of reverting to past.

Anyhoo, I like your advice! It's useful, concise, and you manage to avoid delivering it in a condescending "I know how to write" manner. I may print a copy out and keep it for my own reference; they're good things to keep in mind.

I needed help with writing...and you helped! Lol. Thanks, this is definitely in my favourites.

Thank your for the advice! I'll try my best to stay away from all the...err...things you told not to do.

I don't think names would be a problem, though. Fluffy already belongs to my pet rock. ^_~

AH! You just summarized all the important points of writing that I know. *applause*

Active vs passive gets me every time. I have to beat myself over the head sometimes on that one. Or have someone beat me over the head.

And I WILL review Dance of Fire, but it might take some time. Thanks for your review on The Gathering!

I think that 1st person is good...depending on what you're writing. I mean, for fantasy and stuff, I can see using 3rd. But I like books better when they've got 1st person. It's definitely more personal. The argument of which POV to use should be the author's choie.

I basically agree with them all with the exception of the first-person. Whilst difficult to master, when done well, it can add an original and personal touch to a story that can be just what it needs.

Look at classics like Jane Eyre if you need convincing.

Lol i would just like to thank you for the advice. Often i find myself at fault with numerous points on your list. I promise that i will try and avoid it though!

Ps, thanks for the review :-)

This is ColorCrayons - thank you, I'd like to think of myself as nice. Amen on the Annoying Names...those drive me crazy. In fact amen on all of these. I think some First Persons can be okayish and I dont believe in discouraging any style; however, I think you're right in that most fail and get boring. (Of course Frankenstein was in first person and made it.)

Mack

Just stumbled across this in my travels through Fictionpress, and... wow...

Thanks bundles 4 all the advice, looking at your reviews I see that point 9 is causing a lot of... umm... how to put this... anger?

I, personally, find it tricky to write in 1st person, so i don't bother. I love reading it, though, as long as it's been written well...

Anyway, point of this review is: Thanks for putting this up, no doubt I'll use this advice, and... well... yeah! Thanks for the help and advice! ^_^

This expresses a good deal of basic writing traits that I myself have been trying to explain for a considerable while. My compliments for having written it, and good job! ^^Vn

-Zadzukki Dragonkith

I have but one comment to make and it is on your last point. Now, I do not disagree with it but I do not fully agree. I believe that as long as you have a good portion in third person you can still have bits and pieces of first person in their to allow the readers to see what is really going through the characters mind. everything else I more or less agree with so...toodles.

Wow, NICE! Mind if I include a link to this in my own guide for writing..? (Albiet, that guide is on a slightly different part of writing, and is more detailed/drawn-out/however you want to look at it).

Hmm...I might disagree with you on point 9, though. I have seen some good works (even a few on FP) that have been written from the first person. Perhaps change it to be a little bit less vehement?

Or, add something about the tenses. I've seen way to many stories on FP recently that switch from past to present tense. I wish they'd pick one, and stick with it, already!

i just got the chance to read this. I don't usually read essays, but I'm going to be tryping a few soon myself, so i thought i better get out there and read others' works, and i thought you should be the first. This will help a lot of struggling writers I'm sure, myself included (Yes i struggle).

On a side note, in a recent review, you said something strange at the end, about hoping a "call wasn't traced"... U beter not be who i think you are! lol. if yo'ure truly confused, send me a note