The first step to developing your character is to ask these questions: What does he/she want? How does this person’s desires affect the story’s plot and the people around him/her? By deciphering this person’s desires, you’ll be able to get the story rolling.

The second step is to figure out who your character really is. This could begin with such obvious things as their appearance. What do they look like? What is their full name? These details will lead to more pertinent points about the character’s innermost self. What are their vices? The things they love? Their personal history prior to the story? What relationships have affected who they are today?

If you’re having a problem developing a character, take the time to people-watch. Observe the individuals around you. Look into your own family and friends for inspiration. One little detail is often enough to get you going.

Once you have a basic profile of your character, think of them with your story in mind. How do they fit in this world you’ve created? How do they deal with obstacles, particularly the ones they will face once the story begins. By keeping these thoughts at the forefront, you’ll be able to start planning out what is called a character arc: the way a character changes and grows throughout the events of the story. By working out this character arc, you will be able to see the details of your story even more clearly than when you first began.

As you plan, make sure your character is dynamic, not static. A dynamic character grows and changes throughout the story, while a static character remains the same. Think of the characters in some of your favorite books or short stories. Do they grow with the story, or do they remain the same? More often than not, the most interesting characters evolve as a story progresses.

You may develop these characters with excruciating detail and plan their actions from start to finish, but one essential aspect of character development is letting your characters loose in the world of your story. As you write, you may find that your character is moving in an entirely different direction than you had planned. Stop a minute and question if the move is realistic, both to the character and to the world he/she’s in. If it makes sense, go with it. Part of being a good literary “parent” is letting your characters go and develop on their own.

If you’re still having problems developing your characters, do some research to find ready-made character profiles. These lists of pertinent questions can serve as a guide and will help you develop your characters till they reach their full potential.

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Always use Citations

There is one thing you must remember, regardless of which writing style you use: When you use someone else’s ideas, always cite them.

This basic rule will help you avoid plagiarism. It is very simple and is easy to remember.

However, you may be unfamiliar with the methods of citing others’ work. Consider that there are many style guides. Each one has a slightly different way of citing. What this should tell you right away is that there is no one “correct” way to cite.

In-Text and Reference Citations

There are two methods of citing that you must become familiar with:

The first method of citing is done by using an in-text citation. This means that if you quote another author, or paraphrase their work, you must put a citation at the end of the sentence. This gives the author credit for their work.

The second method of citing is done by placing a reference citation at the bottom of the page. The online Citation Machine can help you with this. Just enter the requested information and select your style. It will create the reference citation for you. It will also suggest an in-text citation.

It is not always practical to use in-text citations for every kind of writing. For example, when writing articles, too many in-text citations can cause confusion. The academic style of writing, on the other hand, is very strict. In this style, every sentence that uses others’ work must have an in-text citation as well as a reference page.

Styles and Citations

There are different style guides such as APA, MLA, Chicago and AP styles. Each of these has a slightly different method of how to cite each kind of material. Materials cited could be books, non-print sources, electronic sources or journal articles.

If that isn’t enough, these styles also have slightly different rules for commas! However, it is not important to memorize the differences between them. It is important is to know that they exist, and are useful sources for your future reference.

If you are beginning to suspect that citing is really a matter of what kind of circumstance you are dealing with, then you are really getting it! Congratulations are in order because this is a very challenging concept for many writers.

Yes, every time you use someone else’s work, you must give them credit. Credit, in writing, is called a citation. This can be an in-text citation, a reference at the bottom of the page, or both.

Like most issues in writing, the way to avoid plagiarism has a lot to do with your audience — who are you writing to, and what are their expectations of you? One easy way to get this information is to ask!

References:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/1/
http://citationmachine.net/

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First, simplify your thinking. Messy writing often comes from an unorganized mind. Before putting pen to paper, clarify your message. Knowing exactly what you want to say will make the writing process easier.

Second, simplify your sentences. The sentence is the smallest unit of composition that carry a complete message. When your sentences are too wordy or complex, your writing is confusing. Here are a few tips on how to keep them simple.

1. Use short sentences.

Tame your wild sentences by watching their length. Avoid endless ones, that make your reader gasp for a comma or a period.

2. Cut unnecessary words.

Many words are mere clutter: they take space, but achieve nothing. Stay away from expressions such as “it is a fact that,“ or “there is no doubt but that.” You can either cut them or replace them with shorter versions such as “no doubt.”

3. Think twice before using adjectives and adverbs.

Adjectives and adverbs are often unnecessary. You can do without “very,” “also” or “really.” “Actually,” “basically” or “completely” add little to your message. The line of adjectives in “our reliable, trustworthy team” makes the writing crowded and waters down the message.

4. Avoid repetitive phrases.

Once you said what you had to say, move on. The sentence “He worked hard in order to gain the trust of their clients and make them more confident” does not need the last five words.

5. Avoid run-on sentences.

A run-on sentence has at least two parts crowded together, either of which can stand by itself. “The study material is very difficult, I will need a tutor” needs a period instead of a comma.

6. Avoid introductory phrases and clauses.

Do not waste time in making your point. Emphasize your message by starting your sentence with the subject.

7. Do not overuse prepositions.

A high dose of these little words can turn your sentence into a nightmare. “The cold touch of the wind from the south” can be reduced to “the cold touch of the southern wind.”

8. Use the active voice.

Passive voice is weak and confusing. “ I will always remember my summer vacation” is simpler and clearer than “My summer vacation will always be remembered.”

9. Write in the positive form.

The negative form complicates the sentence, by weighing it down with unnecessary words, and making the message weaker. Write “he refused” instead of “he did not want to,” or “narrow” instead of “not very wide.”

10. Use concrete language.

Ernest Hemingway called it “vigorous English.” Let each word draw a clear picture. When a person is “stumbling,” it is more vivid than “walking unsteadily.” When another is “grumbling,“ it is simpler than “muttering in discontent.”

As a word of caution, remember not to go too far in your search for simplicity. Albert Einstein said, “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” Do not regress to the writing level of a child. Simple writing is not idiotic. It is writing where every word has a purpose. Keep that in mind.

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General Proofreading Tips
For many writers, it can be difficult to proofread their own writing, especially right after they have written it. Give yourself some time after writing before proofreading, ideally a day or two. Reading your writing out loud can help you identify errors that you may not have caught otherwise. Finally, have another person read your writing to help with proofreading.

Spelling and Grammar
One of the biggest mistakes that writers make is relying on the spelling and grammar checking programs that are included with most word processing programs. No automated spelling or grammar check can make up for proofreading performed by a human. The key problem with an automated spell check system is that the system cannot detect when the wrong word is used. For example, if a writer used “on” instead of “one,” spell check would not catch that mistake, since both words are spelled correctly.

Instead of relying entirely on automated programs, you should carefully read your work for mistakes in spelling and grammar. Here are tips on some of the most common spelling and grammatical errors:

• “Lose” vs. “Loose” – the word “lose” is the opposite of win, while “loose” refers to something that is not tight.
• “They’re,” “their,” and “there” – “They’re” is an abbreviation for “they are,” ”there” is possessive, as in “their clothes,” and “there” refers to a place. Similarly, “your” is possessive and “you’re” stands for “you are.”
• “It’s” and “its” – “Its” is possessive, while “it’s” represents “it is.”
• “Affect” and “effect” – usually, “effect” is a noun, while “affect” is a verb. If you are unsure of which one to use, replace the word with another verb; if the verb works as a replacement, then the word you should use is “affect.”
• “A lot” is always two words.

Writing Style
While writing style is likely to vary from piece to piece, some key concepts remain the same. A good piece of writing includes an introduction and a conclusion; both the introduction and conclusion should summarize the main points of the piece without being repetitious. The introduction of a piece should include a well-written, clear thesis statement: a single sentence that conveys the key point of the writing. A thesis statement should be easy for anyone to identify. In the same way that the thesis statement introduces a paper, a key sentence should be included in each paragraph. Typically the first sentence, a key sentence introduces or summarizes the main point of the paragraph. If you have a great essay, you should be able to read the thesis sentence and the first sentence of each paragraph and get the piece’s purpose.

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Disconnect the Internet

Since most of us have access to internet in our homes or place of business, it is often easy to become distracted by all of the “stuff” out there. Disconnecting from the internet can help you to focus on the job at hand.

Begin with the Most Challenging Part

When you first sit down to write, start with the part that has been giving you the most trouble or you predict will be the most difficult. Not only will this help you complete the necessary work, it will also encourage you to continue when you know that it only gets easier from there!

Get Some Exercise

Sitting at a desk and writing can be quite “boring” after a while. Getting up and getting some exercise can help to get both your blood and your creative moving. Exercise has been proven to be great at relieving stress and in clearing your mind.

Get Some Caffeine

If you are on a deadline and don’t have time to get up and go get some exercise, grab some coffee instead. Caffeine is a stimulant that should help to get your mind working.

Have Some Healthy Snacks

Eating a diet that is low in unhealthy fats and carbohydrates and high in protein, vegetables, fruits, and antioxidants has been shown to both make you feel healthier as well as increase your mental productivity.

Change Your Location

If you are working on a laptop, try to change your environment by going outside if at all possible. Distractions are abundant in your home or office and this way you know that you won’t become sidetracked by other projects.

Create an Outline

If you are not sure of the exact words you want to use, just create an outline with the primary points that you want to cover. This will make the writing appear more manageable and will be less overwhelming when you take it in pieces. This will help you by giving you something to work from instead of simply staring at a blank screen.

Don’t Think Too Much

If you find yourself obsessing about the first sentence and how to start, just begin by writing something. Sometimes, it is the hardest to just start writing. So just start writing down as much as you can and hopefully that will get the creative juices flowing. You can always go back and edit the writing later.

When In Doubt, Take a Break

If none of the above steps seem to have an effect on your ability to write, try to take a break. Even taking a nap can be helpful. Being tired and trying to work at the same time can be a bad combination. Try to get as much sleep as you can at night but, if you are still finding yourself exhausted during the day, a quick cat nap can do wonders!

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Re-Tweet Something Interesting
Start with the simplest Twitter activity that there is. If you find a tweet interesting, others will find it interesting, too. Follow a few Twitterers who are consistently fascinating. That way, you’ll always have something great to pass along. Just make sure not to claim the info as your own, original work.

Reply to Someone Else’s Tweet
Add your opinion to a tweet that you find interesting or compelling. Whether you tweet often or not, it’s a good idea to reply to the tweets of the people you follow.

Be Thought-Provoking
Ask an interesting question – not just “What did you have for lunch?” Ask something that will cause conversation and replies. Ask how your followers feel about a current event or something more philosophical.

Keep Up with the News
If you find a news story that affects you in some way, tweet about it. Link to the online version of the story or article, write a short reaction, and ask others’ opinions on it. Everyone can identify with the news in one way or another.

Tweet a ‘How To’ or ‘X Ways To’ List
Most people get sucked in by a good How To article, and How To tweets are no different. Don’t post an extremely long list – 5 is a good number. Post one tweet for each item on the list. If you didn’t create the list yourself and found it on a website or other source, be sure to cite its original location in your last tweet of the list.

Don’t Resort to Text Abbreviations
While text abbreviations and internet lingo have seen a long period of popularity, those forms of spelling have become more of an object of ridicule than a convenience. While you do have only 140 characters to use in a single tweet, if you find that you need to replace words with numbers or other abbreviations, you might be trying to force too much into one message. It’s better to divide a tweet into two sentences than to turn off your audience.

Don’t Be Afraid to Tweet in Real Time
If you’re doing something interesting – attending a political rally or going to a well-publicized concert, for example – it can be fun for those following your tweets to read your running account of the event.

Be Careful about Advertising
Even if you love that soft drink or a particular brand of jeans, promoting them often can be annoying and will make your Twitter feed seem like one big commercial. If you absolutely have to mention the brand name of something, make sure if fits into a tweet that has a bigger object of interest.

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A reference letter is basically the same thing as a recommendation letter, although the reference letter is for the perusal of an employer who is not known to the potential hire, while a recommendation letter is for a known employer. A reference letter is more of a document used for personal introduction, vouching for that person’s abilities, character, and integrity.

Tips on Writing a Personal Reference Letter

Here are just a few simple guidelines on writing a reference letter:

Indicate the competencies of the person who requested the reference letter, in the specific area or previous experience he or she has, as well as the person’s communication and organizational skills and academic achievements. Does he or she interact well with others, possess sound judgment, analytical capabilities, and so on? How does this person stand out from the rest of the people you have known from similar backgrounds? Note the person’s exceptional skills and qualities. Also back up these details with specific examples. State your own qualification requirements in conjunction with this information. The reader should be impressed by the data in your recommendation or reference letter.

With the competencies you have listed, focus on key information you want the prospective employer or reader to notice from the applicant’s resume or application form. Elaborate on these points without just restating what the person has written on the resume. Unless absolutely relevant to the prospective position or job, do not include information on the applicant’s nation of origin, religion, race, gender, civil status, or any disabilities. Do not indicate the applicant’s weaknesses either. Decline from writing a reference letter as soon as you are approached if you cannot write a positive one!

For the reference letter’s main content, try not to be too brief, as this may be considered as too blasé and noncommittal by the reader, who may be a potential employer. However, be precise, making each word in the letter count. In general, reference letters for employment should comprise a single page, and reference letters for admission to an educational institution around two pages. Conclude the ending with a strong statement, but do not overdo it, as this may overshadow the entire letter and give your reader the wrong impression. Unnecessary praise or commendations may be seen as insincere or overly biased.

Include your contact information for the employer to be able to contact you for subsequent correspondence or further inquiries.

Make sure the letter does not contain any errors, as this document represents both you and the person you wrote the reference letter for. Proofread at least a few times before sending the reference letter.

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