Writing a Manuscript

• Guidance to writers interested in all forms and genres

We assume you have stumbled upon our website for one reason: you are interested in writing. These pages address the writing processes, which do vary by form and genre. A novel, a play, a software manual, and a screenplay are different; they require different approaches creatively and mechanically.

Throughout the writing process, mechanics and audience expectations are important. A great play might be a rather dull movie, while car chases are a bit difficult to produce on a stage. Novels can span decades or centuries, while a short story must quickly develop characters and tell a story. No two forms of writing are the same and few writers are good at multiple forms.

Writing Topics

General

Writers Write: The case against “writer’s block”
Tips for Effective Writing: Appealing to more readers
The Writing Process: How to get the words out (incomplete)
A Writer’s Lexicon: Writing terminology

Fun with Language

Word Building Blocks: The Latin & Greek “roots” of English
Cool English: Words they put on tests
Cool Latin: Latin Phrases to impress editors
Cool French: Some readers like French
“Academic” Language: Avoiding pretentious writing
Rhyming dictionary

Elements of Stories

Form and Genre: Selecting the right form

The Small Parts

Stellar Sentences: Sentence structures
Painless Paragraphs: Organizing paragraphs

Bigger Parts

Plot and Story: Events drive stories

Conflict: Compelling conflicts
Theme: Unifying with a message (incomplete)

Characterization: Knowing the players

Point of View: A matter of perspective

Dialogue: Getting the words right
Setting: A place, a time (incomplete)
Scene (not started)
Description: Show and tell
Manuscript Analysis (not started)

Business Writing

General Business Writing
Résumés
Cover Letters
Memos and eMail
Technical Writing: The Five Cs and More
- Instructions

Genre Specifics

Biographies

Teaching Writing

We have created additional pages for teachers of writing within the Teaching section of this website. There is also a Workshop section for writers interested in various creative writing exercises.

Citations

Any citation referring to the Tameri Guide for Writers site must name both editors.

APA:: Schnelbach, S. and Wyatt, C. ( 10 February, 2012 ). Tameri Guide for Writers. [Online]. Available WWW: http://www.tameri.com
MLA:: Schnelbach, S. and Wyatt, C. “Tameri Guide for Writers.” 10 February, 2012 . Online. Internet. [Date Printed]. Available WWW: http://www.tameri.com

Free Shipping on orders of $25 or more at BarnesandNoble.com