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| Dear Authors, I am Annette and I will be your guest editor for this issue of the For Authors newsletter. |
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Write Like Nobody Knows You
Why can't they understand your story?
Put clear words to your imagination and help your readers see it.
As authors, we have the difficult task to put words to the stories and worlds we create in our minds. As simple as it sounds, it's not that very easy after all. Once you've given your story to some else to read, some readers will tell you that there was too little detail. Or they didn't know what they were looking at.
When it comes to actions, world building, character building, you really need to get in there and literally give readers "a piece of your mind." That means, you have to find the words that build worlds, define characters, and make actions come to life like on a screen for your readers. At the same time, it's important to weave all those details into your writing in a way that it doesn't come across like dry information thrown at the reader. A fiction book reader comes to your book to be entertained. If you must have lists to explain your world, put them in a dedicated chapter at the end of the book.
You can train yourself to walk that fine line between too little and too much by participating in flash fiction contest where you have to practice putting large amounts of information into as few words as possible.
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Writing Prompt - Write about the first day of school
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I got the following replies for my last For Authors newsletter "D. N. W. I. A."
Samberine Everose  wrote: Thank you for highlighting my poem in your newsletter, well acronyms is good when stated there its meaning to avoid any other diffetent meanings that might other may thought. Regards amd have a great day.☺
You are welcome for the feature. Acronym poems for friends are such a beautiful, personal present. Such a very positive use of acronyms.
NeedingBeachDuf 🐠⛵🏝️  wrote: Nice points made in the article, but there is an issue I would like to address.
NASA, LASER, and NATO are acronyms. They are abbreviations we pronounce as words. Laser is an acceptable acronym. Few would spell out "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation."
IRS, FBI, and CIA are initialism. They are abbreviations that we spell out, such as I - R - S.
I thought that it would be good to point that out.
Thanks, D
Thank you for pointing that out. You are correct that there are many "words" that have entered common vernacular that they are now a thing onto themselves. Laser is an example for that. Snafu is another one. In both cases, I heard and used the abbreviations before I knew that they stood for a whole phrase. Those "words" can probably be excluded from "spell everything out" rules. Which proves that there are exceptions to every rule.
the prodigal son returns 2024. wrote: Context is everything. I wish I had coined the phrase, but that said, it's one to live by -- especially if you're a writer. If one is reading a spy thriller, and doesn't know what FBI and CIA stand for, then one is reading the wrong kind of stories. That said, if one is reading Harry Potter, and FBI or CIA is mentioned, even once, the author had better explain exactly what or who they are, and why they're part of the story. That's about it when it comes to these sort of things. Reading a cook book? Then CIA obviously refers to Culinary Institute of America. Even then, however, the context needs to be such that no room for doubt is allotted. What about grey areas, where FBI or CIA could be misconstrued as meaning any number of things? Here's the best answer: "When in doubt . . . ." If any meaning other than what the author intends, is possible, then make the acronym contextual in nature. And thus remove all possible doubt. Period.
I couldn't agree more. Context is everything. However, even in a spy novel, it might be a good idea to have a character find a reason to explain what CIA means to them, how FBI is important in their actions, and why NASA in Harry Potter could mean something with space, but also be an abbreviation for some poisonous potion. 
jim1184  wrote: Thank you for the great News letter and the reminder. Just started my first Military space opera. I am using too many acronyms. During the rewrite/edit I will be sure they are followed by the meaning with dialog or story line or eliminated. The first draft , Deep Space Command is the introduction to a series called The Methuselah Rebellion. This makes your letter very timely and helpful. Thanks.
Glad to be of service. And, yes, do explain your acronyms. Especially those you invent.
ljmorgan wrote: Thanks for speaking out about Acronyms. Of all the crime scene investigation CSI stories/shows. I got to where I could not concentrate on the show NCIS because I could not figure out what it stood for. I have stopped reading books for the same reasons. I did not know what they were talking about. Do not be so egotistic to think that everyone understands what you think must be obvious. You only need to spell it out one time NCIS (Navel Criminal Investigative Service)who knew that? my husband looked it up and if you had ever seen JAG ( I had not ) you would know. and then your readers will know what you mean. Acronyms just explained one time at the start of any book 1st 2nd or 3rd book with a series sets that up for the reader.
It's good to know that I'm not alone in my desire to want to know "What are they talking about again?" If you have to look something up, the writers didn't do their jobs right.
Monty  wrote: I have to say that is an interesting News Letter. I will have to watch myself.
Yes. You veterans have to deal with so many acronyms all the time, be sure to keep us others in the know when writing. We want to understand you. Thank you for your service!
Quick-Quill  wrote: You have touched on my pet peeve. While an acronym may be well known in an area not everyone will know it. I always write the full name out a couple of times and put the acronym in parenthesis.
Great choice! That way, even if a reader forgets a few pages later, they can go back and check it out again.
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For Authors: September 05, 2018 Issue [#9085]
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