Pace

Pace can be considered the speed of a scene or the entire novel.

Does your story flow smoothly? Does it get bogged down in places? Is it fast-paced? Is the importance of some scenes lost because they're too fast? Is your novel too slow and laborious? Is a scene too long, thus losing it's tension?

Short sentences are good for creating tension. In other words, when you want to show characters in conflict make their dialogue short and terse.

For example:
"I hate you!" snapped Katie.
"I'm sorry," said Paul.
"No, you're not!"
"I didn't mean it."
"Right!"

Short sentences can create a sense of urgency, drama.

But short sentences can become monotonous. Consider this sentence. Then this one. Here's the next. And one more. This is fun. I'm having fun. Maybe you're not. Come with me. Please play along. Okay, it isn't usual to have a paragraph of three-word sentences. I'm just making a point. Now you can see how paragraphs with short, medium and long sentences are a nice blend.

Longer sentences can slow the story down and give readers a break from all the action and drama.

Remove Unnecessary Words (Clutter)

Repetition

Many writers feel a need to repeat information, usually in a slightly different way, to empathize their meaning. You shouldn't need to say almost the same thing again to reinforce your message and make sure the reader understands. If they didn't get your point the first time then you may need to rewrite the original sentence.

Many writers also have a tendency to repeat favourite words or over use a word in a paragraph or page.

For example:
I wrote a story featuring a treasure map. As I read through one page of the manuscript, I realized that I'd used "treasure map" too many times - it started to become annoying. I had to find alternatives.

Ambiguity

It's important to keep the reader with you. Sometimes I've been enjoying a good book and had to stop to reread a sentence or paragraph because it wasn't clear to me.

Having to reread sections ruins my escapism and reminds me that I'm reading a book. Suddenly I'm dragged out of the story and lost the connection with the characters.

Qualifers

Adding words like "very", "extremely" and "really" weaken a sentence and its meaning. There are usually better alternatives. It's a matter of finding the best word or phrase to do the job.

For example:
Consider - Jane was very angry.
Substitute - Jane was furious.

Consider - I was really cold.
Subsitute - I was freezing.
Or better still - I couldn't stop shivering. (Show Don't Tell)

Adjectives and Adverbs

Some adjectives and adverbs are fine but, again, it's a case of choosing the right word to do the job. Adjectives and adverbs can weaken a sentence and meaning.

For example:
Consider - Kim walked angrily to the bedroom.
Substitute - Kim stomped to the bedroom.

Consider - Dale spoke loudly.
Substitute - Dale shouted.

Description and Action

Because I'm given information in a book I believe that it must be important to the plot or characterization. The same goes for TV shows and movies. So when I read on and realize that the information has no relevance, I'm disappointed and confused. Why was I given this information?

The best way to insert necessary information - relevant to the plot - is to look like you're not inserting necessary information. In other words, work it into the story as naturally and subtly as possible. Let the readers know these important details in small doses, rather than bucketloads. Sprinkle!

For example:
Tim didn’t need his fifteen year-old sister to look after him. He’d be twelve in two months. Old enough to look after himself.

I've added to characterization. My readers know the age of the characters. It also moves the plot along because Tim's sister doesn't do a good job of looking after him and he has to fend for himself.

Remember that people read for the story. The story is vital. Keep it moving.

Transitions

A good piece of advice: establish the setting at the beginning of each chapter. The reason for this is that chapters often mean a transition in time and/or place. To avoid confusion, your readers should know the where and when as soon as possible.

Keep transitions short. Keep the story moving.

For example:
He looked down at his bandaged body. Walking might be easier, he decided.
(Transition indicated by double-spaced line)
Ten minutes later, Tim was almost in the centre of town.

Viewpoint

Jumping from one person's head to another can be confusing for readers, especially younger children. Books for younger children usually stick to one viewpoint.

In books for older children, multiple viewpoints are fine. Chapter breaks are often used to indicate a change in viewpoint.

Your story should always sound as if it's written from the point of view of a child. Never sound like an adult. Children want to read about their peers. And they definitely don't want to be preached to or lectured at.

Chapter Endings

Do the final scenes or sentences inspire the reader to keep reading? Will the reader want to turn the page?

You don't have to end each chapter with a cliffhanger. But you do need to consider each chapter ending and make sure it teases the reader or rouses their curiosity so that they have to continue reading your book. Leave them wanting to know more.

Something should be happening at the end of each chapter. More questions should be raised. Don't finish a chapter at a quiet spot in the story, where nothing is happening. Keep the reader curious. Make them turn the page.

Logic

Your story should be plausible, believable. Your character's motivation should make sense to your readers. They should be able to understand why a character wants a particular goal. The obstacles between the character and his or her goal should be believable, expected in a way. And your character's actions should always be consistent given their background, personality and feelings.

Even fantasy needs be logical. Your readers should be able to believe that the events in your story are possible given the world you've created.

Sentence Structure

Consider the way your sentences are written. Do they make sense?

Beware of dangling modifiers.

For example:
"Having been thrown into the air, the dog caught the ball."

In this sentence, the subject (the dog) is the 'doer' of the main clause - or action - (caught the ball). In the modifing part of this sentence (having been thrown into the air) the 'doer' of the main clause is not clearly stated. It does not directly relate to the subject of the main clause, and so, it would be considered a dangling modifier.

A good sentence can be weakened by the last word. A strong sentence should end on a strong word, not tail off because of poor word choice.

Consider - It was a mystery where the children were.
Substitute - Where the children were was a mystery.

And remember that the most important words of a sentence should go at the end. The most important sentence should go at the end of a paragraph.

If you want to emphasize something put it at the end of the sentence.

Show Don't Tell

Showing pulls readers into a story. It allows them to see scenes unfolding as if they're there, like a fly on the wall.

Showing allows readers to relate to your character, to see the character's world through his or her eyes. And soon your readers are empathizing and sympathizing with the character. They're experiencing what the character is experiencing.

Showing is a great way to add to characterization without looking like you're adding to characterization.

Telling distances your readers. You've told them exactly what happened and why. It doesn't allow them to get involved, to make their own judgements.

For example (showing):
Tim held up his hands. “No more.”
“Come on, we’re having fun.”
Yeah, right, thought Tim. She was having fun. He was being tortured.

I'm showing you here that Tim is not happy.

Spelling, Punctuation, Typos

This one seems pretty obvious.

Do you best to eliminate any spelling, punctuation and typing errors from your manuscript before you sent it to a publisher. Otherwise you'll look like an amateur. You'll look careless and sloppy.

Your manuscript should be your best possible work to attract the attention of a publisher. It should sparkle!

Sentence Length

This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It's like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety.

Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length.

And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals -- sounds that say listen to this, it is important.

Capitalization

Rule 1.	Capitalize the first word of a quoted sentence.
	Examples:	He said, "Treat her as you would your own daughter."
		"Look out!" she screamed. "You almost ran into my child."

Rule 2. Capitalize a proper noun. Example: Golden Gate Bridge

Rule 3. Capitalize a person's title when it precedes the name. Do not capitalize when the title is acting as a description following the name.   Examples: Chairperson Petrov     Ms. Petrov, the chairperson of the company, will address us at noon.

Rule 4. Capitalize the person's title when it follows the name on the address or signature line.   Example: Sincerely, Ms. Haines, Chairperson

Rule 5. Capitalize the titles of high-ranking government officials when used with or before their names. Do not capitalize the civil title if it is used instead of the name.   Examples: The president will address Congress.     All senators are expected to attend.     The governors, lieutenant governors, and attorneys general called for a special task force.     Governor Fortinbrass, Lieutenant Governor Poppins, Attorney General Dalloway, and Senators James and Twain will attend.

Rule 6. Capitalize any title when used as a direct address.   Example: Will you take my temperature, Doctor?

Rule 7. Capitalize points of the compass only when they refer to specific regions.   Examples: We have had three relatives visit from the South.     Go south three blocks and then turn left.     We live in the southeast section of town. Southeast is just an adjective here describing section, so it should not be capitalized.

Rule 8. Always capitalize the first and last words of titles of publications regardless of their parts of speech. Capitalize other words within titles, including the short verb forms Is, Are, and Be.   Exception: Do not capitalize little words within titles such as a, an, the, but, as, if, and, or, nor, or prepositions, regardless of their length.   Examples: The Day of the Jackal     What Color Is Your Parachute?     A Tale of Two Cities

Rule 9. Capitalize federal or state when used as part of an official agency name or in government documents where these terms represent an official name. If they are being used as general terms, you may use lowercase letters.   Examples: The state has evidence to the contrary.     That is a federal offense.     The State Board of Equalization collects sales taxes.     We will visit three states during our summer vacation.     The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been subject to much scrutiny and criticism lately.     Her business must comply with all county, state, and federal laws.

Rule 10. You may capitalize words such as department, bureau, and office if you have prepared your text in the following way:   Example: The Bureau of Land Management (Bureau) has some jurisdiction over Indian lands. The Bureau is finding its administrative role to be challenging.

Rule 11. Do not capitalize names of seasons.   Example: I love autumn colors and spring flowers.

Rule 12. Capitalize the first word of a salutation and the first word of a complimentary close.   Examples: Dear Ms. Mohamed:     My dear Mr. Sanchez:     Very truly yours,

Rule 13. Capitalize words derived from proper nouns.   Example: I must take English and math. English is capitalized because it comes from the proper noun England, but math does not come from Mathland.

Rule 14. Capitalize the names of specific course titles.   Example: I must take history and Algebra 2.

Rule 15. After a sentence ending with a colon, do not capitalize the first word if it begins a list.   Example: These are my favorite foods: chocolate cake, spaghetti, and artichokes.

Rule 16. Do not capitalize when only one sentence follows a sentence ending with a colon.   Example: I love Jane Smiley's writing: her book, A Thousand Acres, was beautiful.

Rule 17.	Capitalize when two or more sentences follow a sentence ending with a colon.
	Example:	I love Jane Smiley's writing: Her book, A Thousand Acres, was beautiful. Also, Moo was clever.

Format for Writing a Report (Mission Report and others)

General Guidelines

• Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper,
• Double-space the text of your paper, and use a legible font like Arial. The font size should be 12 or 14 pt.
• Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks (unless otherwise instructed by your instructor).
• Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides. Indent the first line of a paragraph one half-inch (five spaces or press tab once) from the left margin.
• Use either italics or underlining throughout your essay for the titles of books.

Formatting the First Page of Your Paper

• Do not make a title page for your paper unless specifically requested.
• In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your teacher's name, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text.
• Double space again and center the title. Don't underline your title or put it in quotation marks; write the title in Title Case, not in all capital letters.
• Use quotation marks and underlining or italics when referring to other works in your title, just as you would in your text, e.g.,
  • Harry Potter 
  • Human Weariness in "After Apple Picking"
• Double space between the title and the first line of the text.