Share this page!

Enter Twitter Thread URL to Unroll

Needs to be the full URL like: https://twitter.com/threadreaderapp/status/1644127596119195649

How to get URL link on Twitter App

  1. On the Twitter thread, click on or icon on the bottom
  2. Click again on or Share Via icon
  3. Click on Copy Link to Tweet
  4. Paste it above and click "Unroll Thread"!
  5. More info at Twitter Help
Alyssa Matesic Profile picture
@AlyssaMatesic
Jun 8 • 8 tweets • 2 min read Twitter logo Read on Twitter
You may have an incredible plot, great characters, & interesting scenes, but if your writing doesn’t hold up on a sentence level, it’s unlikely you’ll retain readers.

Here are 5 sentence-level mistakes I’ve seen new & seasoned writers make — & how to fix them (an #amwriting 🧵):
1. Redundant phrasing. Using extraneous words or phrases can make your writing clunky & hard to read.

Simplify your sentences. Make sure each word is necessary & serves a purpose. If you can take a word out w/out changing the meaning of the sentence, cut it.
2. Heavy-handed foreshadowing. Phrasing like “little did she know…” may SEEM like it builds suspense, but it actually tells the reader that something is about to happen & reduces the impact when it does. Let the reader experience the surprise when it comes.
3. Subject-verb disagreement. Even the most seasoned pros sometimes fall into grammar pitfalls.

Can you spot the error in this line? “Sweating profusely, the run took longer than Mark anticipated.”
4. Incorrect flashback tense. When writing flashbacks, it must be clear what is happening in the past vs. present through changes in tense.

E.g., if your story is written in past tense, your flashbacks should be written in past perfect tense (“had” before the verb phrase)
5. The undefined “it.” Any time you write a sentence that contains “it,” clarify what “it” is referring back to. Otherwise, the meaning of the sentence can quickly get muddled.
Some of these mistakes are hard to visualize without examples. You can check out my YouTube channel (link in bio) for more details & examples of each of these common #amediting mistakes!
5 sentence-level mistakes you could be making in your WIP:

1. Redundant phrasing
2. Heavy-handed foreshadowing
3. Subject-verb disagreement
4. Incorrect flashback tense
5. The undefined “it”

Fix these to craft stronger sentences that build an effective story! #writingcommunity

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
　

Keep Current with Alyssa Matesic

Alyssa Matesic Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @AlyssaMatesic

Alyssa Matesic Profile picture
Jun 1
One of the most common novel structures is also one of the trickiest to pull off: the multi-storyline narrative.

Here are the 5 biggest mistakes I see when editing multiple-storyline novels, so you can catch & correct them in your own WIP (an #amwriting 🧵):
1. Switching storylines too frequently. This can make readers feel jostled & keep them from getting invested in the story.

To avoid a sense of whiplash, give readers ample time (at least a full scene) to get immersed in each character/storyline before moving on to the next.
2. Waiting too long btwn storylines. On the other hand, sitting w/ a single storyline for too long creates imbalance & slows down your pacing/plot momentum.

Try to dedicate a near-equal # of pages to ea. storyline. Stay consistent to keep the reader equally engaged w/ each one.
Read 7 tweets
Alyssa Matesic Profile picture
May 30
A bad ending can give readers a bad impression of your book. The last thing you want is for them to finish the final page & feel unsatisfied.

So how can you tell if your ending is strong enough? Here are 5 Qs to help you make sure your ending is effective (an #amwriting 🧵):
1. Has the conflict been resolved? You hooked your reader w/ an intriguing point of conflict. If they reach the end, it’s b/c they want to see that conflict play out.

Readers want some level of resolution. Your ending doesn’t have to be happy, but it should offer closure.
2. Are loose ends tied up? A bad book ending leaves readers w/ unanswered questions. By the end, all subplots & character arcs should have a sense of finality.
They can be addressed at any point prior to the final scene/pages of your MS, as long as they’re resolved at some point.
Read 7 tweets
Alyssa Matesic Profile picture
May 25
Even w/ the best story idea, compelling characters & a solid plot, your story won’t resonate if the writing falls flat.

In editing hundreds of novels, I’ve compiled 5 common examples of weak writing I often see, so you can identify & correct them in your own WIP (#amwriting 🧵):
1. Vague character descriptions. Listing adjectives is not the strongest way to convey a character’s persona. We want to see those adjectives in action. SHOW us how your characters think, feel & act. This will make them come alive & feel like layered, authentic human beings.
2. Excessive imagery. Be mindful of lingering too long on descriptions. While many writers do this aiming for more poetic prose, piling too many images can be clunky & obscure your message.

Opt for a single powerful image, metaphor or analogy to convey your point effectively.
Read 7 tweets
Alyssa Matesic Profile picture
May 23
There are a million different ways to plot a book, and figuring out the best way for your plot to unfold can be tricky.

Here’s a framework for evaluating your plot’s effectiveness. Ask yourself these questions to determine if it holds up (an #amwriting 🧵):
1. Is there a clear point of conflict? To keep your reader engaged, your story MUST have a central conflict that they will want to see play out. Use this template: Protagonist wants X, but Y is stopping them.

Ideally, you’ll introduce this conflict within your first chapter.
2. Are the stakes high enough? The conflict must meaningfully impact the protag’s life somehow. Show us the consequences! This creates tension & keeps readers invested.

Add to the previous template: Protagonist wants X, but Y is stopping them; if they fail, Z will happen.
Read 7 tweets
Alyssa Matesic Profile picture
May 16
Here’s one mistake I see in almost every novel I edit: too much narrative distance, or space between the reader & the characters/events in the story.

Here are three ways you could be creating narrative distance & weakening your manuscript – without even realizing it (a 🧵):
1. Recounting events in retrospect. This removes the reader from the present plot action & can feel like an info dump.

Often, the narrative will be more engaging if you show the event as a scene when it actually occurs. Show us the character’s emotional response in the moment.
2. Not illuminating characters’ thoughts. In 1st or close 3rd person POV, we should typically have near-full access to the POV character’s mind. Look at what happens externally & internally/emotionally for your character in each scene. Show how they react & interpret the action.
Read 5 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!

This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Don't want to be a Premium member but still want to support us?

Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal

Or Donate anonymously using crypto!

Ethereum

0xfe58350B80634f60Fa6Dc149a72b4DFbc17D341E copy

Bitcoin

3ATGMxNzCUFzxpMCHL5sWSt4DVtS8UqXpi copy

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us on Twitter!

Send Email!

:(