Writing A Review Tip: What To Look For When Writing A Review

More writing a review tips

Writing a review isn’t just a matter of saying, “Good job, nice work!” While it’s a nice sentiment, it’s not really helpful in terms of actual criticism. There are a lot of things to look for when you’re writing a review.

Spelling & Grammar:

This should be at the top of your list. Too many spelling and grammar errors can really take the reader out of the immersion. When you spot words that are misspelled or incorrect, point them out and suggest the correct form. However, also keep in mind that some words can be spelled differently depending on the language. For example, in the UK, "color" is spelled "colour." So, it’s not incorrect—just a different regional variation.

Descriptions:

A big rule in writing is to show, not tell. You can balance the two of them out, but make sure you're telling us a story and not something from a Wikipedia page. Check if the descriptions are clear and engaging. The amount of description depends on the type of writing, but generally, as long as they paint a clear picture without overwhelming the reader, that’s the way to go.

Pacing:

Pacing refers to how fast or slow a story moves. The pacing can vary depending on the context. For example, the story might slow down during a heartfelt conversation between characters, or it might be fast-paced during scenes of non-stop action.

Characters:

Are the characters acting consistently? For example, if John is always happy in one chapter but suddenly becomes constantly angry in the next without explanation, that would be inconsistent.

Dialogue:

There are two important things to remember with dialogue. First, it should be clear who is talking and who they’re talking to. Second, the dialogue should sound natural. If it doesn’t sound right when you read it out loud, it probably doesn’t sound natural on the page either.

Progression:

The story should flow nicely. While there can be room for filler depending on the context, you generally want to make sure the overall story is moving forward.

Tone:

Tone refers to how the story feels. Is it lighthearted, or does it tackle darker, more mature themes? You want to make sure the tone is mostly consistent. Sometimes a character may joke or make a quip to ease tension, but that shouldn’t disrupt the overall serious tone of the story.

Engagement:

Is the story keeping you engaged and excited to read more? As a general rule, if a story doesn’t capture interest within the first few chapters, there’s a good chance the reader won’t stick around for the rest.

Continuity:

Is everything consistent? For example, if the chapter begins in the morning and there’s only one scene, but by the end it’s suddenly night without explanation, that’s going to raise questions.

...

So, there you have it! When you’re writing a review, just keep these things in mind and you’ll be good to go!

Writing Description Notes: Warm/Hot

Updated 9th September 2024 More description notes

Writing Tip - Unnecessary Descriptions

More writing tips

We all know the importance of making a story immersive with detailed and vivid descriptions. They truly bring the story to life and get you hooked right away. That being said, there is such a thing as unnecessary descriptions. What do I mean by this? It means a description that doesn’t need to be there. I’ve been guilty of this in the past, which is why I’m always adapting my writing style (something I’ll discuss in a future tip). That being said, what’s an example of a pointless description? I’ll show some from stories I’ve read, but I won’t include author or story names because these tips aren’t about badmouthing people; they’re about helping others improve.

Example 1:

“Without her tailcoat on, the only articles of clothing that covered her torso were her bra (which couldn't be seen) and a white undershirt.”

They didn’t need to mention the bra. Simply stating that she wore a white undershirt would have been enough.

Example 2:

“The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky, with no clouds in sight, making the day sunny and bright.”

They basically said the same thing twice, repeating it unnecessarily. They could have ended the sentence after saying there were no clouds in sight.

Example 3:

“Jessica picked up her phone, which she had bought two years ago from a shop in a small town she visited during a road trip. The shop had a quaint little sign painted in faded yellow, and the owner had a peculiar habit of wearing mismatched socks.”

This is nicely described, but what does it have to do with the actual story? Jessica picking up the phone was just a simple action. Unless the phone and where she got it from become crucial to the story, there’s no need to say where she got it from.

Example 4:

“Carlos wore a shirt with 14 buttons, each perfectly round and made of plastic, with four tiny holes for the thread to go through.”

Again, nicely described, but did we need to know the specific number of buttons on his shirt? Just saying he wore a neatly buttoned shirt would have been enough.

...

With those examples in mind, how do we avoid unnecessary descriptions? Here are some things to keep in mind:

All in all, unnecessary descriptions can slow down the pace of the story and take readers out of it. Focus on the details that enhance the story.

Hiya. From what I can see on the gif, it looks like he's being interviewed and asked something that causes him to then rolls his eyes upwards and to the side, either annoyed or impatient. If it were me describing this, I'd go somewhere along the lines of this below.

"An interviewer held a microphone towards him, asking a question that seemed to test his patience. With a subtle yet noticeable roll of his eyes, he looked upward and to the side, a clear sign of his annoyance. Without a word, he turned and walked off, leaving the interviewer and the murmuring crowd behind."

Writing Tip - Portraying Characters Out Of Character

More writing tips

One of the most common criticisms in writing is when an established character is portrayed in a way that seems inconsistent with their usual traits or undergoes a sudden change in personality. The question is, is it wrong to want to write an established character in a different way?

My answer is that it’s fine if there is a plausible reason for it. For example, if John, who was previously a badass military guy, suddenly becomes a soft, joking character in a sequel, it’s going to make people wonder why his personality did a 180. The key to making a different portrayal plausible is through story and context. To explain this, I will use the video game Batman: Arkham Origins as an example.

We were first introduced to Arkham Batman in Batman: Arkham Asylum, which takes place during Bruce Wayne’s 11th year as Batman. In that game, Batman is portrayed as an experienced, highly skilled vigilante who is in complete control of his emotions. He never acts out when a situation goes wrong; instead, he calculates and plans his next move. Even though we see a few instances where he still carries the trauma of his childhood, his willpower is shown to be incredible. There are even rare moments when he makes jokes with Oracle. All in all, you get the sense this is a guy who knows what he’s doing.

Now let’s cut to Batman: Arkham Origins. This game is a prequel that takes place during Bruce’s second year as Batman. In this game, his personality is quite different, out of character so to speak. He is younger, angrier, and inexperienced. The game does an excellent job portraying how flawed Batman is through the small details. His fighting style is more raw and less polished compared to his later years. His suit looks bulkier and more thrown together rather than a single, cohesive design. We see him make mistakes when dealing with criminals. For example, in one cutscene, Batman is interrogating a guy named Loose Lips. As he holds Loose Lips up by the throat with one hand, he adjusts his footing and then chokes Loose Lips too hard, knocking him out. Batman acknowledges this by muttering, “Damn.” He is also very arrogant, underestimating the assassins that are out to get him and frequently telling Alfred he doesn’t need allies, determined to be a one-man army.

So, why do I consider this different portrayal good? The reason is that it fits the story they are trying to tell. Given the significant time gap between Origins and Asylum, it stands to reason that Batman would undergo some personality changes. The game provides an opportunity to show how Batman evolved from a young, reckless individual to the seasoned warrior we know later.

One of the best scenes is when, after nearly losing Alfred to Bane, Batman begins to doubt himself and considers giving up. Alfred, who finally understands why Bruce does what he does as Batman, encourages him to continue and let allies help him. Near the end, we see him working with James Gordon, hinting at how their relationship began to improve by the time of Asylum. We also see Batman working with Barbara to destroy Penguin’s weapons. This not only adds depth to Batman’s character, showing his capacity for growth and change, but it also sets up his future collaborations with characters like Oracle, Robin, and Nightwing. This development makes his later, more balanced and cooperative approach in Asylum and subsequent games feel earned and believable.

All in all, portraying a character out of character can be compelling if it aligns with the story and provides a logical progression. Batman’s arc in Arkham Origins shows he was flawed and needed to accept that he was not alone in his mission. Proper context and development are crucial in making these changes believable.

So, if you’re considering writing someone in a different way, keep this in mind and you’ll be good to go!

Writing Description Notes: Drinking

Updated 17th July 2024 More description notes

Writing Description Notes: Eating

Updated 12th July 2024 More description notes

Writing Tip - Revise and Shine

More writing tips

Many of us who are new to writing start off a bit sloppy. However, with experience, you will get better. As you learn more techniques, you might look back at your old stories and think about how you could revise and improve certain scenes. I do that too. That's why I'm going to share a couple of examples of how I revised specific parts, the changes I made, and why.

Example 1:

Original: "Marine pouted as Knuckles refused to move out of the way, shielding her from touching the Master Emerald. To accommodate for the cold weather, the young captain now donned some of Tails' clothes. An orange puffer jacket resided over her usual outfit with a matching beanie covering her head. Being from a tropical land, Marine was not built for the harsh winter of the Chaos Dimension."

Improved: "Marine pouted as Knuckles refused to move out of the way, shielding her from touching the Master Emerald. To accommodate for the cold weather, the young captain now donned some of Tails' clothes. The orange puffer jacket hugged her petite frame over her usual outfit, and the matching beanie gave her an air of cuteness despite the dire circumstances. Despite the cozy clothing, Marine still felt like a fish out of water in this frigid world. She missed the warmth and sunshine of her home."

Changes I made:

Example 2:

Original: "Without warning, she bolted forward, fury bringing her to life. Flames danced around her fist as she struck directly towards the Ultimate Life Form. Shadow stood his ground, catching her wrist within his hand with some difficulty. He restrained her flaming fist, feeling the scorching temperature push softly against his fur.

Improved: "Without warning, she bolted forward, fury bringing her to life. Flames danced around her arm as she threw her fist directly towards the Ultimate Life Form. Shadow stood his ground, catching her wrist within his hand with some difficulty. He restrained her flaming fist, feeling the scorching temperature push softly against his fur. The searing heat radiating from her fist was almost unbearable, scorching his fur and pushing against his skin with an intense pressure. Despite the difficulty, he held on strong.

Changes I made:

So, there you have it. There's nothing wrong with going back and improving your old work—I do it all the time. We all start somewhere. Take a look at your old work, and if you see something that could be enhanced, give it a shot with the skills you've acquired.

Absolutely. I have yet to write some unique descriptions for that, but here's some examples in writing.

...

John's body lay motionless on the cold asphalt, the aftermath of a catastrophic collision. His spirit, however, was anything but still. In an instant, he felt a jolt, as if he was being pulled upwards by an invisible force. Suddenly, he was hovering above the scene, observing the frantic activity below. The paramedics were a blur of blue and white, their voices muffled yet strangely clear. He noticed the fine details of the cracked windshield, the metallic glint of the stretcher, the gentle sway of the trees lining the street. 

...

Jane drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep, the kind where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. A sudden shiver coursed through her, and she felt an odd sensation of weightlessness. Opening her eyes, she found herself floating above her bed, staring down at her own sleeping form. The room looked different from this angle, every shadow and corner taking on a new perspective. She floated towards the ceiling, noticing the cobweb in the corner she had missed while cleaning.

...

Jane had always been fascinated by the idea of astral projection. One night, after practicing her techniques diligently, she felt an intense vibration and a sudden release. She found herself floating above her bed, the room illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight. With a sense of wonder, she passed through the walls of her apartment, floating effortlessly into the night. She traveled to her friend’s house miles away, seeing her friend lounging on the couch, engrossed in a movie.

Writing Description Notes: Tired/Drowsy/Exhausted

Updated 14th June 2024 More description notes

Writing Tips: There’s Always Different Ways To Approach Writing

More writing tips

Let’s be honest. How many times have we all sat there looking at a document, completely clueless about where to start? I know I have. Let’s say you intend to start the chapter by describing how the sunrise looks. You sit there wondering what is the best way to approach this description. My answer is simple: there are several different ways you can approach it. As many of you know, I share description notes for certain things; I will link a list at the end if anyone is interested. Let’s say I decided to kick off the chapter by describing the sunrise. Here are several ways I could go about it:

See how many different ways I could have approached that introduction? There’s no right or wrong answer. You don’t need to overthink it or try to replicate the standards of others.

Next time you find yourself staring at a blank page, remember these examples. Try different approaches and see which one resonates with you!

Description notes

So, the best way to go about it is to think both physical and psychological aspects. For the physical side, think where the wings are located and their size, as well as how if the character has any issue using them. The wing type also matters, like are they feathered like a bird or flesh like a bat? For the psychological, think how the characters feel about their wings. Are they proud or ashamed of them? Is it affecting their social life with others, as well as relationships? Use the wings to create unique challenges and obstacles for your character. They might struggle with confined spaces, strong winds, or social stigma.

Writing Description Notes: Physical Pain

Updated 6th June 2024 More description notes

Writing Tip: How To Make A Scene Immersive

More writing tips

Immersion is all about making the story attractive, really painting the picture of what’s going on. Rather than just explaining this, I’m going to use some samples. Below, you'll see a scene from my friend’s story when she sent it to me for advice, and what I did to enhance the scene and make it immersive. We’ll go over general descriptions and dialogue.

This is her description:

As it turned out, most of Soleanna Forest's too dense for Tails to land the Tornado. He had no choice but to land outside of the city, which means he and the others need to go on foot through the city and to the forest.

Not that they minded; after all, Soleanna's a beautiful city. Selene, Curry, Petri, and Verde were in awe of its beauty.

This is my version:

As the Tornado descended towards the majestic city of Soleanna, Tails quickly realized that the lush forest surrounding it was far too dense for a safe landing. Reluctantly, he chose to set the aircraft down just outside the city's bustling borders. The group now faced the prospect of traversing the city and venturing into the enchanting Soleanna Forest on foot.

The city's charm was undeniable, captivating each member of the group. Selene's eyes widened, her gaze dancing across the elegant architecture that blended seamlessly with nature. The sun-kissed buildings seemed to rise like golden pillars from the embrace of vibrant greenery, painting an awe-inspiring picture.

This is her character dialogue:

Amy felt her phone buzz and took it out to see a text message. She read it and smiled. "Aww, Cream wanted to check in." She then got excited as she kept reading. "And Blaze is visiting!"

"Blaze?" Selene questioned.

"She's the other princess I told you about," Sonic explained.

This made the merhog excited. "That means I'll get to see her! Awesome!"

Amy giggled as she began to send a text back. "And I just know Cream's going to love meeting your brother and friends."

This is my version:

Amy felt a gentle vibration in her pocket, drawing her attention to her phone. Retrieving it, she discovered a text message waiting for her. A smile instantly graced her lips as she read the words, "Aww, Cream wanted to check in." The warmth of the message seemed to embrace her like a cozy blanket.

Her excitement only grew as she continued to read the text, discovering that Blaze, the other princess she had spoken about earlier, was planning a visit. This unexpected news sent a spark of delight through her, akin to discovering a hidden treasure in a vast ocean.

Curiosity piqued, Selene couldn't help but inquire, "Blaze?"

With a confident air, Sonic stepped in to provide the explanation. "She's the other princess I told you about." His words held the hint of pride, as if Blaze's presence was a testament to the grand adventures they had shared.

The revelation filled Selene with a heightened sense of anticipation, like a mermaid who had caught sight of a legendary sea creature she had always dreamt of encountering. "That means I'll get to see her! Awesome!"

Amy's laughter bubbled like a brook as she began composing a reply to the messages. Her fingers danced across the screen like graceful butterflies as she typed her response, a melody of words crafted with care and affection. "And I just know Cream's going to love meeting your brother and friends." Her words were like a gentle breeze, carrying a promise of new friendships and joyful moments to come.

So, there are a few things I did here for you to follow:

Writing Description Notes: Mental Pain

Updated 3rd June 2024 More description notes

Writing Description Notes: Fear/Terrified

Updated 30th May 2024 More description notes