February 17, 2009

Writing Tip 17: Limit sentences, Says Debbie Macomber

Today's writing tip comes from a dyslexic mother of four who once thought she'd never get published! Her first book, published by Silhouette in 1982, became the first romance reviewed by Publisher's Weekly.

Writing Tip 17: Limit Sentences, says Debbie Macomber

Best-selling author Debbie Macomber offers a simple tip on style that authors can sometimes overlook.

Macomber says, "never allow a sentence to go longer than 23 words. Find a way to break it up." She calls this "simple, easy, and in some ways, profound."

Debbie Macomber, the author of BACK ON BLOSSOM STREET, SUSANNAH'S GARDEN, A GOOD YARN, THE SHOP ON BLOSSOM STREET, BETWEEN FRIENDS and the Cedar Cove series, is a leading author, with books regularly hitting #1 on bestseller lists and translated into 23 languages.

-- Debbie Macomber is author of several series and stand-alone books, including the popular Cedar Cover Series. In 8 Sandpiper Way, (Sept. 08), a wife find a strange earring in her husband's pocket, and begins to wonder…

Emily Flemming can think of only two explanations-an affair or sticky fingers-but neither sounds like the husband she knows and loves. Still, Pastor Dave did regularly visit the elderly woman whose jewelry has been turning up missing, and he does refuse to tell Emily where he's been when he comes home so late. He may be a good man, but he sure looks guilty-even to his wife.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Troy Davis's long-ago love has moved to town, and there's news aplenty from newcomers and old-timers alike in Cedar Cove.


7 comments:

Regan Black said...

Simple and profound! And good advice!

thanks,
Regan
http://www.regansrealm.blogspot.com

Mary Cunningham said...

Easy tip to remember. I love those!!

Diana Black said...

Great tip. Really. Love it. Simple. To the point. So next time I find myself writing word after word without a period which takes a lot of effort on the reader's part to comprehend what he or she is reading I will stop. Divide and conquer.

Seriously, this is great stuff. Thanks!

Diana
http://basicblackblog.blogspot.com
http://woofersclub.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

It's interesting how writing has changed so much. Pick up a Dickens novel and a sentence can last the whole page.

Katie Hines said...

I LOVE Debbie Macomber. I have read several of her books, and will read future books as well. I like the way she is able to incorporate yarn into most of her stories.

Anonymous said...

Nice tip that is easy to remember!

Helen Ginger said...

Really good tip. I'm going to check my sentences and see how long they run.