Tag: Voice

Writers on Writing

Writing adult novels with a young adult point of view: Challenges, opportunities, and why it matters

Mandy Webster

There’s something uniquely compelling—and uniquely tricky—about writing an adult novel through the eyes of a young adult protagonist. You want the story to resonate with adult readers, but the voice will inevitably feel youthful, immediate, and shaped by the character’s limited experience. That tension can be powerful, but it can also trip up both writers and readers if it isn’t handled thoughtfully.

It’s difficult to write an adult novel when telling the story from a young adult point of view.

Take Casey Dunn’s The Wind Witch Murders, for example. The novel is marketed as adult fiction, but its protagonist, Raven, is young, searching, and emotionally raw. The book is written in first-person point of view, which makes it even more difficult to escape the natural YA headspace. Every detail, every observation, every emotional beat is filtered through Raven’s young adult perspective.

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How to Streamline the Language in Your Novel Draft

Mandy Webster

As you work your way through the revise and refine phase of the novel writing process, it is best to start with big-picture revisions that affect your novel as a whole before homing in on the smaller elements of the manuscript. At the macro stage, you analyzed the overall plot, structure, pacing, and character arcs—making sure the story flows and resonates with the intended emotional beats. Now that those foundational issues are addressed, it’s time to zoom in and streamline the language within your story.

Eliminating redundancies is one of several ways you can streamline the language in your novel. Spelling errors COULD wait until the proofreading stage, but at this point, I say fix every typo you spot. Otherwise, one of them might slip through the cracks!

This means focusing on the rhythm of sentences, the clarity of language, and the precision of word choice. It’s where the magic of voice, tone, and style takes shape, making sure each paragraph serves its purpose in moving the story forward and engaging the reader. Streamlining language is one of the most powerful ways to improve your novel’s clarity, pacing, and impact. Refining language involves making your writing clear, concise, and effective, cutting unnecessary words, and choosing vivid, specific details.

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How to check for consistency when revising your novel manuscript

Mandy Webster

Consistency is a crucial yet sometimes overlooked aspect of novel revision. When elements like character traits, timeline details, or even place names vary across chapters, readers may feel disoriented, which can pull them out of the story. Catching these inconsistencies is key to building a cohesive, believable world for your readers.

When revising and refining your novel manuscript, it will likely feel like there are an infinite number of details to keep track of!

Following are some strategies to help you check for and maintain consistency as you revise your novel manuscript:

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Tips and Tricks for Transitioning from Creator to Critic When Editing Your Novel

Mandy Webster

After pouring your heart and soul into drafting a novel, the editing stage can feel like a whole new mountain to climb. Shifting from the free-flowing creativity of writing to the analytical mindset needed for editing isn’t always easy, but making this transition is crucial for a polished, captivating manuscript.

As an author it’s important to learn how to transition efficiently from creator mode to critic mode when working through the revise and refine stage of the novel writing process.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you set aside your “creator” hat and put on your “critic” hat, so you can view your work with fresh, discerning eyes:

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Fine-tune your writing | Revise and Refine

Mandy Webster

Once structural issues in your manuscript are resolved, it’s time to focus on fine-tuning the writing itself. This stage of the novel writing process is all about polishing language, enhancing tone, and sharpening word choice to bring out the unique voice of your story. Look carefully at sentence flow, checking for rhythm and clarity; each sentence should build naturally into the next, making the prose smooth and engaging. Pay attention to descriptive details—are they vivid and evocative, or could they be strengthened?

Once you’ve addressed the big-picture issues in your novel manuscript, it’s time to start tinkering with the smaller problems.

This is also the moment to eliminate redundancies, awkward phrasing, and overly complex language that might slow readers down. Don’t forget to refine dialogue, ensuring it sounds authentic and reveals character. Fine-tuning is the last touch that elevates your manuscript from a draft to a compelling, immersive experience for readers.

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Education, Random Writing Rants, Written Communication

Active vs. passive voice: Why you should care

Mandy Webster

Wheeeee!
Wheeeee! (Photo credit: Erika Hall)

Do you use active language in your writing? Do your teachers occasionally tell you that your writing is too passive? Are you confused about what this means? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

One of my students told me last semester that her mom is an English teacher, and that she doesn’t even bother trying to teach the difference between active and passive voice to her students anymore because none of them ever “get it.” What a shame.

I wonder sometimes why passive voice is such an easy trap to fall into. After all, active sentences are typically simpler than passive sentences and require fewer words. Wouldn’t you think the brain would take the path of least resistance and lead the writer to write more active sentences? Apparently not. Continue reading “Active vs. passive voice: Why you should care” →