Breaking Bad Writing Habits

Several years ago, I offered an online writing course on my blog titled, “Creating Compelling Content.” It originated as a presentation I’d given to several writers’ groups and I adapted it for use as a giveaway to build my email list.

The course is comprised of two parts: “Breaking Bad Writing Habits” and “Perk Up Your Prose.” Because all authors and writers can use these tips and reminders, I’m re-publishing the posts from that course on our blog. I hope you find them useful.

Part I: Breaking Bad Habits includes what I call “The Dirty Dozen.” Each of these topics will have its own blog post. This section starts with an Introduction, “No Bad Writing.“ (If you watched Johnny Depp in “Secret Window,” then you know that bad writing is, well … bad!)

1. Polish the PUGS
2. Resist the Urge to Explain
3. Trim the Fat
4. Weed out Wordiness
5. Prune Prepositions
6. Avoid Backing In
7. Cut Cliches
8. Patch POV Glitches
9. Show, Don’t Tell
10. Ditch the Danglers
11. Ready, Set, Action!
12. Eliminate the Great Backstory Dump

(The posts in this series are tagged Creating Compelling Content.)