Today I thought I’d talk about a different book again, Writing Tools: 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer. This book is broken down into four sections, this first section is all about the Nuts and Bolts of writing. This first chapter talks about the importance of connecting the noun with the verb.
By placing the noun with the verb you avoid confusing the reader, which is something, when you are writing, that you don’t want to do. The author points out that sometimes it is good to provide some separation, but overall the very best you can do as an author to to make sure you keep the subject connected with it’s action.
Placing them at the beginning of the sentence keeps this clearest for the reader, but occasionally, for dramatic effect, you can place the noun with it’s verb at the end of the subject. Being careful about placement will help you keep your reader engaged and not trying to sort through the confusion of trying to figure things out. An engaged reader wants to finish the story or article, a confused one gives up. 🙂
Focusing on this will help you become a better author. Isn’t that what we all want? Be a better writer, keep your audience engaged.
So take time, to look for this when you are reading. Looking past all the descriptive language in order to see how authors employ this basic tool effectively. Study the authors you read marking where they place the noun and verb, rewrite your sentences to make them better, vary where you place your subject and verb in a sentence and see if it changes how the sentence reads… in it’s dramatic voice. Think about how you are writing and in what ways, focusing on the verb and noun and keeping them well connected, makes your writing better.
Interesting thought to be conscious of when writing. I’ll have to pay more attention to see if this is something I do or not. 🙂
yeah I know… bit different eh? But made sense as I read the chapter.