A Guide to the Beginning Fan Work Author

Structure and Style

I cannot tell you how many times I've seen improper structure in writing. Many young writers have a hard time identifying a singular idea and properly spacing a paragraph. This can result in a jumbled up line of text with no sign of a beginning or end. That shuts down readers with an idea of "too long, won't read." 

A paragraph is meant to complete an idea or the focus of a series of sentences. For example, the two paragraphs I've written convey the separate ideas of the problem I identified and an explanation; I identified the problem that writers can have a hard time writing paragraphs and in this paragraph, I explain what it is. 

A paragraph ideally has five to six sentences, but occasionally can be less. Sometimes, when a sentence holds a lot of gravity, some writers will separate it from the rest.  For example:

Angeline stood ramrod straight in shock and terror, staring at the man with the gun. Beside her, the bullet hole in the wall was still smoking from the heat of the bullet. However, horror dropped deep into her stomach at the smile of her supposed murderer. Her horror and his smile only grew when she heard the thud on the other side of the wall.

She wasn't the target and he had made his kill.

Some writers find their own style and this is one of mine. I use it occasionally in my own writing. However, don't use it too often as it loses gravity.

Structure can make or break a story as much as context and the same can go with your style.

Don't be afraid to be eloquent in your works but be mindful of what genre you are using. Eloquent speech would not do well in a comedy, just as quick, deadpan words would not do well in a drama. It's all about proper syntax.

If you are writing a romance, using very romantic poetic words can be a hook for some readers but if you're  writing a romantic comedy, then shorter, quick words can be far more effective.If you are writing slice of life, using simple words and sentences can give the story a sense of realism. 

Would a next door neighbor from Queens say, "hullo, how are you faring this fine day?" No! That sounds like a duke from England! Within the next chapter, I will discuss how character and setting affect both the style of writing within a genre.