Category Archives: Business

Writing without knowing the basic rules can get complicated, especially in complex writing, such as stories, plays, or screenplays. To master the art of compelling writing, you must master certain important rules guiding that genre of writing; for example, there are rules guiding dialogues in fiction writing.

Effective dialogue can bring your characters to life, advance your plot, and engage your readers. Poorly crafted dialogue can hinder the flow of your narrative and make your characters flat and very unconvincing.

Most writers find it difficult to breathe life into their characters; they struggle with evoking emotions in their readers because they do not understand how to make their characters real.

So, you see why knowing the rules is crucial. This article will examine a few dos and don’ts of dialogue writing. You may feel they are minimal and overlook them, but as you read on, you’ll realise their impact on your overall story.

Dos in Dialogue Writing

The following are the necessary steps to take when writing a dialogue:

• Make Your Dialogue Sound Natural

It is important to sound natural when writing a dialogue. What this means is you need to make your character relatable to the everyday lifestyle of an ordinary man. Although it is fictional and, thus, provides the leverage for your imaginations to run wild, there is a certain limit to it that could make your readers feel disconnected from the characters.

Your dialogues don’t need to speak in perfect sentences with impeccable grammar; people don’t always do that, do they? Real-life conversations often have interruptions, hesitations, and errors or blunders. Embrace the imperfections of human speech when writing to make your characters and their interactions real and relatable.

• Give Your Character a Unique Voice

Each character in your story is unique, and you must ensure each uniqueness is portrayed efficiently. No two characters should sound alike. Therefore, their distinct speaking style and voice should be unique.

Before you proceed, take your time to properly consider the characters’ backgrounds, personalities, and experiences, and ensure you portray these in their dialogue adequately. This distinctiveness helps your readers differentiate each character from the others and adds depth to their narrative.

Although there is always a protagonist, that doesn’t mean they must overshadow everyone else completely. Every player is essential in the grand scheme of things.

• Show Emotions Through Dialogue

An effective dialogue should properly convey your characters’ emotions. Aim to convey your character’s emotions without necessarily stating them in written words. You can use subtext, tone, and body language to reveal your character’s feelings.

Doing this adds depth and complexity to your characters and keeps your audience engaged. The writing rule on showing and not telling also applies in dialogue: show, don’t tell.

Don’ts in Dialogue Writing

To effectively and accurately write a dialogue, there are some things you must not do, and they are:

•  Giving Unnecessary Information

Don’t be tempted to give too much information in your dialogue. Many writers fall into this trap. The nagging urge to give so much away thinking it makes the story more interesting. It doesn’t. Avoid using the dialogue as a tool for dumping information or backstory. Trust your readers’ intellectuality to connect the dots themselves. When giving too much, you give the thrill away.

Overloading dialogue with unnecessary details can disrupt the whole story flow as it can seem forced. The best way to reveal information to your readers is through actions, emotions, and subtle hints along the story progression.

• Using Dialogue as a Monologue

Here is another mistake that most writers make without realising. They create a dialogue where one voice dominates the conversation. Dialogue is a two-way street. You should avoid creating scenes where one character dominates the conversation and the other merely listens.

Dialogue should be a back-and-forth engagement that reveals both characters’ thoughts, feelings, and motivations. Always ensure that your dialogue is well-balanced, builds character relationships and keeps the story moving forward.

• Using Long Sentences

Writers often use long sentences in their dialogues, giving readers no breathing space or pleasure while reading their work. Don’t use too-long sentences in your dialogue. Instead, break down your sentences using short fragments, mirroring the exact way people talk.

If in your story, a mother is explaining to her child why they have to relocate to another city, instead of having her say, ‘Kofi, I believe that Kumasi would be a better place for us to live, and we will be able to make ends meet’, have her say, ‘Kofi, I believe that Kumasi would be a better place to live. There, we will be able to make ends meet’.

Conclusion

Mastering the dos and don’ts of dialogue writing takes time, but as time goes on, you will soon realise that it’s no rocket science. These rules are essential for creating engaging and believable stories that hook your audience. When writing, you should aim to be natural and give your characters a unique voice of their own.

At Sabi Writers, we are passionate about compelling storytelling, and our customers’ dreams are our priority. Our team of expert storytellers can craft compelling stories for your readers in your voice and writing style. Send us an email at hello@sabiwriters.com

 

Writing is an art as old as man and a gateway into a different world. Some people consider writers as literary wizards who can steer unimaginable feelings by creating a different world.

As beautiful as this may seem, writing can be draining and overwhelming. Most writers lose their mojo in this skill as time passes. Thus, there is a lingering need to create a means to stay fixated on their skills and be at the top of the game.

One way to break this jinx is to establish a writing routine.

A writing routine is a series of steps you create and follow each time you write to make your writing consistent. This process can help you stay on track when writing.

In today’s digital world, content is hailed as king, and high-quality writing is essential. Whether you are a professional writer, a business owner, or a student, you will always need to pen down a word or two. Therefore, maintaining a consistent writing routine can be a game-changer.

Here are five reasons you need to establish a writing routine:

1. Improved Productivity

A primary benefit of a writing routine is that it can help boost your productivity. When you set a specific time for writing, you realise that you become more focused and work efficiently.

This approach helps you avoid procrastination and writer’s block. It allows you to produce content more quickly and effectively. What more? It takes your productivity level to the roof and helps you outperform your previous writing milestones.

• Enhanced Writing Skills

As the saying goes, ‘Practice makes perfect’. When it comes to writing, this saying is not an exception. Committing yourself to the process gives you a shot at becoming the best by continually refining your skills. With a consistent writing routine, you can experiment with different writing styles, tones, and techniques, which are all necessary to help you become a more versatile and competent writer.

• Increased Creativity

Writing requires a tremendous amount of creativity. Without creativity, you will feel stuck on what to pen down. Consistency in writing fosters the needed creativity; to become consistent, you need a routine to help keep you in check.

When you regularly engage in the art of writing, your mind becomes more receptive to new ideas and inspirations. This consistency helps you find creative solutions to problems and develop the right amount of innovative content that captivates your audience.

• Meeting Deadlines

The anxiety that comes with deadlines can be overwhelming. That nervous feeling creeps inside you as the day draws closer – especially when experiencing writer’s block. This feeling happens to the best of us, whether you are a student with assignments or a professional writer with your laid-out content calendar; deadlines seem to be a part of life.

However, with a writing routine, you can become more organised and efficient in managing your time, thus meeting deadlines and churning out excellent work.

Time management is critical to overcome the anxiety that comes with deadlines. When you have a routine in place, it helps you dedicate time to your project. As such, you become better equipped to meet deadlines without a last-minute rush and the stress accompanying it.

• Networking Opportunities

Regular writing, most times, involves research, which can open the door to networking opportunities. When you consistently produce content related to a particular industry, you are more likely to connect with like-minded individuals and experts, which can serve as a networking opportunity. Also, networking can lead to collaborations, job offers, or even mentorship opportunities.

Conclusion

We live in a world where content space has become very competitive, and written content is in high demand. One easy-to-execute solution is to create a writing routine. It is not merely a luxury but an actual necessity, as it enables you to stand out in the crowd, increase your productivity, and boost your confidence tremendously.

So, if you haven’t already established a writing routine, it’s time to start today to partake in the many advantages it can bring to your professional life.

Remember, we at Sabi Writers have an army of expert writers dedicated to making your writing dreams come true.

Too busy to write? Email hello@sabiwriters.com today, and we’ll handle everything for you.  

In content creation, great power lies in the opening lines. Your opening line is the gateway to your article, blog post, or story. It is the first impression your readers have of your work that determines if they will continue reading your content or not.

Your opening lines can make or break your work. It doesn’t matter how good your writing is; if the opening line is a flop, chances are, your readers will skip without completing their reading.

Now, the big question: how do you craft that irresistible hook that grabs your audience’s attention and keeps them reading?

If you wish to have your readers cuddled up on a couch, coffee in hand, and deeply engrossed in the pages of your work, dive in as we share the secret to writing a killer opening line.

1. Know Your Audience

Before you think of becoming the next Chinua Achebe, you might want to get back to your thinking chair, not to idealise the perfect plot or the sizzling theme, but to figure out who you are writing for. This is the first step to writing a killer opening line. After identifying your audience, consider their interest, needs, and pain points. This is essential in tailoring your opening line to resonate perfectly with your audience.

For example, if you are writing content on fitness, a line like ‘Are you tired of endless diets that never work?’ directly speaks to the frustration of your fitness-conscious readers. The best way to write resonating content is to know your audience. Speaking to everyone is like speaking to no one.

• Speak to Their Emotions

Once you have successfully identified your audience and their pain points, it is time to tap into their emotions. Tug at the heart of your audience and speak to their emotions instead of their logic. Emotionally charged opening lines have a higher chance of hooking your readers if they emotionally relate to the message being passed.

You can tap into your reader’s emotions by using vivid language that evokes excitement, curiosity, empathy, or, to some extent, controversy.

Here’s a typical example of an opening line that can make readers continue reading; ‘Imagine a world where you never have to worry about money’. This line triggers the reader’s desire for financial security. Everyone wants to know the age-old hack to never go broke, and with a line like this, your reader’s curiosity is piqued.

• Use Questions

The use of questions is an old trick in the book that never gets old. Questions immediately engage the reader’s mind, prompting them to think for a minute about the topic. When asked a question, the readers will likely read further into the book to find the answer.

A question like ‘Have you ever wondered why some people effortlessly achieve their goals while others struggle?’

A question like this will make your reader read on to find out why – especially if they are struggling. They are forced to ponder their own experience and read on to figure out how to do things better moving forward.

• Use Storytelling

Telling a story is a proven technique for reader engagement. Anecdotes and storytelling are potent tools for connecting a writer and the reader. Sharing a personal story can make your readers feel more connected to your content due to its relatability.

For instance, if you are writing about parenting challenges, be rest assured there is a truckload of other people who can relate to your parenting struggles.

Beginning with a line like, ‘As a sleep-deprived new parent, I once asked myself, “Will I ever get a full night’s sleep again?”’ An opening line like this is sure to be relatable. Everyone knows the struggles of having a new baby and settling with the reality that things will never be the same again.

Storytelling creates a bond between you and your readers, telling them you have also gone through whatever they are going through. People want to know they are not alone, and by sharing stories – personal or fictional, you assure your readers of your understanding of their pain points.

• Element of Surprise

Another trick to a killer opening line is considering the element of surprise. A shocking or unexpected statement can jolt readers out of their seats and compel them to read further.

Say you start with a line like, ‘Contrary to popular belief, chocolate can help you lose weight’. This is a total shocker to the mass who believes chocolate makes you gain weight.

You are not only educating them on something new but also disrupting the norm, and your readers will be intrigued by this revelation. They will be forced to read on to gain more knowledge or look for a loophole in your story. Either way, you have them trapped.

• Be Concise

You don’t need to be ambiguous to have your readers hooked. Ambiguity can make them skip your content. Contrary to popular belief, less does it sometimes. Keep your content concise and to the point. It should convey the essence of your message.

Readers shouldn’t struggle to get the message as they can get lost in verbosity. When your opening line is concise and clear, your readers will appreciate not having to struggle in the web of words.

Conclusion

Writing a killer opening line that hooks your readers doesn’t require a warrior’s battle. Sometimes, it is the little things that count, like paying attention to who your audience is and their pain points and neatly crafting the right words with the right storytelling that piques their emotions.

With these techniques at the back of your mind, you can bet your content will be the next big thing your readers look out for. So, there you have it, the secret to crafting a killer opening line that leaves your reader hungry for more.

We at Sabi Writers are expert storytellers who know how to draw readers to your voice and writing style. Send us an email at hello@sabiwriters.com

When it comes to writing, there are subtle rules that guide a writer. As subtle as they are, these rules tremendously impact how the reader receives the message in your stories, articles or speeches. Although inconspicuous, they should not be overlooked either, as they can ruin your piece more than you realise.

Proper capitalisation is a fundamental aspect of writing, and most times, we do it without realising the effect it has on our overall work. It could be an act of oversight or simply ignorance; whatever it is determines how your work is perceived, especially if you strive for a professional look.

It is one thing to have a great command of the English language and another to know your capitalisation placement. It plays a critical role in conveying clarity, professionalism, and correctness in any piece of writing.

You may wonder what the big deal with capitalisation is if your spellings are in check.

Well, if you aim to have a writing piece with sequence and structure that your readers would find engaging, you might want to consider where you place your capitalisation and what letter gets capitalised.

Understanding the writing rule of capitalisation is a crucial skill for creating well-structured and polished writing.

In this carefully curated article, we will look at the key principles of capitalisation, including when and which words to capitalise, to help you enhance your writing skills. Also, if you want to improve your SEO rankings, you might want to read this thoroughly.

• Capitalise the First Word of a Sentence

This is the most basic rule of capitalisation. In writing a complete sentence, always capitalise the first word of that sentence. This principle is applied to all writing pieces regardless of whether the sentence is part of a paragraph or a stand-alone line.

This fundamental rule may appear simple, but if you are not careful, you might miss it and end up with a poorly aligned piece of writing. After all, it is the easiest of tasks that often gets overlooked.

• Capitalise Proper Nouns

Taking us a bit back to the basics, what are Proper nouns? Proper nouns refer to specific names of people, places, organisations, and unique entities.

In English, proper nouns hold the highest respect among all the words because they represent and breathe life into your writing. They represent both living and non-living things and aid apt visualisation. They should always be capitalised.

In your essay, don’t make the mistake of writing the first word of your proper noun in lowercase, as this can be considered a grammatical blunder.

Here are examples of proper nouns, properly capitalised: John Smith, New York City, Google Inc.

By capitalising proper nouns, you help in improving readability and comprehension.

• Capitalise Titles and Headings Properly

Titles and headings are breakdowns in our writing that further explain or introduce a new idea. It is an important factor in writing that helps with a seamless writing transition and engages your readers.

In titles and headings, capitalise the first letter of each major word. However, the minor words – which most times only act as a support, such as articles (a, an, the), conjunctions (and, but, or), and prepositions (in, on, at) – are not capitalised unless they are the first or last word of the title.

Most writers make the mistake of capitalising all the first words in their headings or titles, thinking it accentuates the titles or headings.

This is a common mistake that many writers do not even realise to be an error, but it is. You may feel you are doing the right thing, giving your work a polished look, but you are only ruining the sentence structure.

Let’s see an illustration for a better understanding:

Incorrect: Top 5 tips for improving seo rankings

Correct: Top 5 Tips for Improving SEO Rankings

• Capitalise the Days of the Week and Months

Days of the week and months should always be capitalised. It doesn’t matter where they appear in our sentence. We often feel that since they don’t come first in our sentence arrangement or maybe are lost somewhere in our paragraphs, it is okay to write them in lowercase, but that is wrong.

Days of the week and months of the year are proper nouns, so the capitalisation rule on proper nouns applies to them.

For example:

a. We will meet on Monday.

b. The conference is scheduled for August.

• Capitalise Nationalities and Languages

When writing professionally, little details like this matter a lot and give your content the polished look it deserves. Some articles look unprofessional because of this common mistake.  

Capitalisation is part of your editing process and should be taken seriously if you wish for a squeaky-clean professional body of work.

Most times, the writers’ editing process only involves spelling checks, and that’s as far as it gets, but little details like this matter too.

Nationalities and languages are proper nouns, and do you remember our law on proper nouns? Yes, it very much needs to be capitalised.

 Below are some examples:

a. She is French.

b. He speaks Spanish fluently.

• Capitalise Historical Events and Periods

When writing historical events and periods as a  reference for your work or whatever it is you want it for, always capitalise your first word. Don’t leave your looking amateurish. After all the time put into your research process, it would be sad to realise your work doesn’t get the praise it deserves because your sentence structure looks terrible.

Examples of historical events that get to be capitalised are:

a. World War II

b. The Renaissance

• Capitalise Brand Names and Trademarks

Brand names and trademarks are proper nouns and should be capitalised. As a content writer, you get to explore various topics, and you could get to assess brands if you were a brand critic.

When it comes to brands, you need to know where the capitalisation rule applies. Capitalising brand names and trademarks makes your article professional and gives due notice to the brand.

One major importance of capitalisation is the attention it brings to the capitalised word. Not only do you get a good outcome, but your readers subconsciously tick them to be important topics of discussion – which they are.

Examples include:

a. Apple

b. Nike

• Capitalise Important Terms and Abbreviations

When you capitalise significant terms and abbreviations, it draws attention to their importance. Subconsciously, your readers take note of such words and prepare their minds whenever they see them in the future. So, you are probably educating someone about a word for the first time.

You don’t know who is reading your work at the end of the day, so you should always give your best self to your writing.

For Example:

a. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

b. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Conclusion

Mastering capitalisation rules is essential for clear, professional, and well-structured writing. Correct capitalisation not only enhances readability and comprehension but also boosts your content’s SEO rankings.

By understanding when and which words to capitalise, you can elevate the quality of your writing, making it more impactful and engaging for your audience.

Remember to keep practising and honing your capitalisation skills, and your writing will shine with professionalism and correctness, attracting more readers and driving better SEO results.

At Sabi Writers, we are master storytellers; our writers can write in your unique voice and style. Contact us at hello@sabiwriters.com 

Happy writing!

As an aspiring author, it is undoubtedly one of your greatest wishes to see your manuscript transformed into a published book. Of course, it would be a dream come true to see your pieces smiling back at you on the shelf or have numerous readers lined up to get a copy of your work.

However, we cannot deny that landing a book deal can be a challenging feat, albeit a highly rewarding journey. The literary world sometimes feels like a maze. But, hey! With the right strategies, you can certainly navigate your way to success.

It doesn’t need to be as difficult as the world makes it, your writing dream can still come true, and you can be on your way to writing success if you have the right strategies guiding you.

Let’s discuss six practical steps you can take to help secure that elusive book deal and turn your aspirations into a thrilling reality.

1. Refine Your Manuscript

Before the thought of pitching your book to publishers comes to mind, take a breather and refurbish your manuscript. It is crucial to ensure that your manuscript is meticulously polished to perfection. Do not be in haste to put your piece out there and end up delivering mediocre work.

Revise, edit, and proofread your work. A well-crafted manuscript that adheres to genre norms, demonstrates a unique voice, and boasts of compelling characters or ideas is more likely to catch the attention of publishers and ultimately help you close a book deal faster.

• Conduct Thorough Market Research

Understanding your target market is key to positioning your book effectively. It goes beyond putting words or thoughts to paper. Research who your target audience is, similar books in your genre, and trends that are currently popular and can gain you a competitive advantage.

Also, do not miss out on highlighting what makes your book stand out and how it fulfils a unique niche in the market. Publishers want to see that your book holds value and can soar in the industry; nobody wants to invest in what wouldn’t yield a profit at the end of the day.

• Craft a Compelling Query Letter

A query letter sets your best foot in the door of the publishing world. It should be precise, engaging and persuasive. Properly introduce yourself, provide a brief overview of your book, and concisely explain why your book is a perfect fit for your publisher.

Personalise your query letter to the specific publisher you are approaching: it makes them feel valued and important in the process. Show that you have done your homework and genuinely believe your book aligns with their vision.

• Develop a Strong Author Platform

An author platform encompasses your online presence, social media following, and engagement with potential readers. In this digital age, having an online presence is crucial in your growth process, and as an author, one of the best platforms to leverage is the social media space.

Publishers are more likely to take notice of authors who already have an online presence because this promises an existing client base (or, in this case, available readers).

You can build your online presence by sharing relevant content, interacting with your audience/viewers, and showcasing your expertise. A robust platform demonstrates your dedication to promoting your book and reaching a wider audience.

• Research and Target Suitable Publishers

Different strokes for different folks. Every publisher has distinct preferences and niches. Research various publishing agencies to find those that align with your book’s genre, theme, and style.

Many writers miss out on book deals because they pitch to the wrong agency. Research and look into their submission guidelines and follow them meticulously. Tailor your submissions to match each publisher’s requirements, showcasing your professionalism and dedication to their guidelines.

• Consider Literary Agents

Literary agents are superheroes! They can be invaluable allies in your quest for a book deal. They have established connections in the industry that can help you navigate the complex world of publishing.

If you need someone to give you a head-start, get yourself a literary agent. Agents advocate for your work, negotiate contracts and payment systems on your behalf, and provide you with expert advice throughout the process.

Research reputable literary agents who specialise in your genre and submit a well-crafted query letter to them.

Conclusion

Securing a book deal is a big deal; however, with these steps provided, it shouldn’t pose as much of a challenge anymore. Of course, there will be rejections along the way, but you don’t have to be swayed by them; failures are the spices that make our success taste good.

Rejection is a part of the process, but each rejection brings you one step closer to success.

At Sabi Writers, we are master storytellers who understand how to pull readers to your unique voice and style. Contact us at hello@sabiwriters.com 

Good luck!