Bryan Collins's Blog, page 59
July 2, 2021
9 Speedy and Effective Dictation Tips
Dictating can help any writer produce more words in less time. Use the six dictation tips in this guide to improve your workflow.
These days, dictation forms a big part of my writing workflow. I outline articles in advance using bullet points, on index cards or via writing software. I dictate the first draft using dictations apps like Dragon Anywhere on my iPad or iPhone in the morning. In the afternoon, I edit my drafts while sitting at a computer.
Dictating takes skill and practice, but ...
July 1, 2021
First vs Third Person Point of View: What Makes Sense for Your Story?
Writing a book or short story? The first decision you will make is the use of the first vs third person point of view. Choose which fits your story best.
When writing a fiction work,��point of view��is a critical part of the overall writing process. Will your narrator be an omniscient third-party person or limited to a��first-person��narrative?
While the��second-person��point of view��occasionally shows up in fiction stories, most writers decide between first vs��third-person��point of vi...
June 30, 2021
May vs Might: What’s the Difference?
The main distinction in may vs might is that “may” is used when something is more likely and “might” is used when it is less certain.
May and might are nearly synonymous, but there are subtle differences in these words that indicate that something is possible.
Sometimes the rules in English are subtle. The road to learning when to use may vs. might has a few potholes and detours. Once you've figured out the basic rules and the inevitable exceptions, however, you can be sure you'll always r...
June 29, 2021
How to Write a Memoir: A 12 Step Guide
Are you wondering how to write a memoir? This guide shows memoir writers how to take their own life story and transform it into a marketable book.
Everyone has a story, and a memoir is your opportunity to tell that story to the world. Yet many writers struggle with how to write a memoir that is engaging and marketable. Writing a book about your own life is actually harder than you might think.
The key to doing this successfully is a good plan. With a solid outline and a good plan, you can ...
June 28, 2021
23 Crime Thriller Authors You Must Read
Ready for a new crime novel? Check out the top 23 crime thriller authors that you should read.
If you love the thrill of a great crime novel, then you'll want to get to know some crime thriller authors. This genre has quite a few popular names in it, delivering detective fiction and crime novels that frequently make it on the bestseller list. As you're picking your next crime fiction book to read, make sure you add these authors to your “must-read” list.
Popular Crime Thriller Authors...June 27, 2021
Synopsis Example: How to Write a Winning Summary of Your Story
A novel synopsis tells all of the details of a novel in a one-page format. Looking at a synopsis example can help you learn to write one well.
What is a synopsis? Practice writing a winning summary of your story by looking for a synopsis example.
When you decide to read a book, what persuades you? For many people, it is the blurb on the back of the book or inside the book's cover on the jacket, but a literary agent wants something else, and that is a novel synopsis.
Writers need to wri...
June 26, 2021
20 Poetry Terms Every Writer and Reader Should Know
Whether you want to study poetry or write it, understanding basic poetry terms is essential.
The beauty of poetry is in both rhyme and rhythm, yet many who appreciate poetry do not quite understand it. What is it about the forms of poetry that make it so endearing? A basic understanding of poetry terms will help make this loved artistic form of writing even more appreciated.
Common Poetry Terms Every Poet Should Know
If you are serious about poetry, whether you want to dabble in ...
June 25, 2021
Advice vs Advise: What’s the Difference?
When considering advice vs advise, writers need to know that these are not synonyms, and are actually different parts of speech.
The words “advice” and “advise” look very similar, but that one simple spelling change, the “c” into an “s” changes the word completely. Not only are these two words pronounced differently, but they are also different parts of speech.
Yet the fact that these words look and sound so similar and show up in the same context often make them easy to mix up. Good writ...
June 24, 2021
A-Writer.com Review: Is It Worth It?
A-Writer is a popular writing service to consider. Here is an honest A-Writer.com review that you can use to decide if this is a great writing service for your essay.
In college and even in high school, deadlines can quickly creep up on students. An essay writing service can feel like a lifeline when it���s time to create an essay or research paper, and you no longer have the time to get it done. While there are some serious ethical concerns about using a writing service instead of writing yo...
The Best Speech to Text Software for 2021: 8 Top Choices
In this guide, we test and review the best speech to text software options, both free and paid.
Do you spend hours time sitting in front of the computer writing and editing documents? If so, you understand how physically demanding typing is. I remember the first time I felt a shock of pain in my wrists.
I was so scared that I was developing carpal tunnel syndrome. I instantly started looking for ways to save my wrists, knowing that if I could not type, I could not do my job. That is where...
