1) Use words to paint a picture that tells a story.
2) Eliminate nearly all adverbs and adjectives.
3) Description should represent more than just the thing it describes.
4) Use dialogue to reveal character.
5) Use action to reveal character.
6) Every sentence must be a “new” piece of information, thus moving the story forward.
7) Repetition should be used sparingly and only to heighten the importance of what is repeated.
8) Write about what the characters say and do (not too much about what they think and feel) so that the reader can “live” in the story.
9) Always read and follow the submission guidelines.
