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Active voice, passive voice
 Confused
about this? Well you're not alone. Most writers, even professional
writers, struggle to understand the difference between active
and passive voices. In fact, I'd been writing professionally
for years before I even knew there was such a thing as
active
or passive writing.
Like a lot of modern writers, I work by feel.
Instinct. Nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives; it was all so much
more blah. You might as well talk to me about crotchets
and quavers and semibreves when I'm trying to crank up a Hendrix
riff on my Stratocaster—meaning that the conventions of music
aren't as important as the music itself.
Ditto for the conventions of writing.
In fact, the conventions of writing often get
in the way. They tie your head up in the minutiae and technicalities
of what you're doing rather than allowing you to just ... well,
groove.
The language keeps jerking you back to the rules,
when at times you need to forget the rules.
Most of us are pretty badly educated. At least,
the nature and style of education has changed markedly over
the past few decades. English grammar, for instance, is still
taught in schools, but not in the way it was taught in the dark
ages of education when you could be soundly thrashed in front
of the class simply for forgetting how to conjugate your verbs
(whatever the hell that means).
But understanding the names of the nuts and bolts
of writing isn't vital. Not for everyone, anyway. That said,
there is a case for keeping your eye on a few of the mechanics,
and active and passive voices are worth a closer look.
Want to read more?
There are over 25,000 words of
writing tips and advice on my website. I've spent months
writing these pages, and years refining them. I'm happy to
share my professional knowledge with you. But like everyone
else, I need to capitalise on my skills and efforts.
For just £1.99 I'll send you my entire
MR EDIT'S WRITING ADVICE FOR AUTHORS as a .pdf file. Just follow the link below, or above, and you'll be taken to PayPal. You don't need an account; just a credit card or a
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You'll generally receive my writing
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Either way, you'll receive 25,000
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Want
to read one of my books?
THE VALHALLA QUANTUM
Paranormal
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Mr Edit
YouTube videos
Meanwhile, here are
some of my You Tube videos that might be of interest to you.
Hope you enjoy them.
Mr Edit. Let's talk about dialogue
https://youtu.be/KG0CLm1S9Rs
Mr Edit. Pitching fiction to a literary
agent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy698w2Ooc8
Mr Edit. 5 Minute Fiction Fix.
https://youtu.be/y6OPUfcDH90
Mr Edit. Let's talk about tautology.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zhoBLImV6U
Links for writers
Preditors
& Editors. Here's where you can check out the credentials
of literary agents and publishers. A must for any writer.
http://pred-ed.com
Creative Helps.
Helpful resource for the creative community. Articles, links
and tips.
http://www.creativehelps.com/products.htm
Nick Daws'
Writing Blog. Lots of useful posts on all aspects of writing,
both for print and online, plus a guest post for anyone who
wants to make a contribution. Check it out.
http://www.mywritingblog.com
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Creative writing
●
Writing tips
●
Plotting a novel
●
Finding a literary agent
●
Choosing a literary agent
●
Agent query letters
●
Inspiration for writers
●
Rejection letters
●
Manuscript critique
●
5 minute fiction fix
●
Proof reading
●
Writer's block
●
How to get published
●
Active & passive voice
Other novels include...
TOUGH GUY
Don Donovan—a shrewd, witty, and
womanising London gumshoe¨¨—is hired to find a legendary
chess set said to carry a compelling secret. Soon he finds
himself on a globetrotting hunt and facing various dangerous
and interesting antagonists.
Available now on Amazon
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DIRTY BUSINESS
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Cue an unusual killer and a clutch
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Lifeline
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Cue an unusual killer and a clutch
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Murder Story
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Police Procedural
D I Dennis Dobson is the hardest,
rudest, shrewdest copper in the Essex police force. A local
suicide causes concern for Dobbo who believes it's murder,
but can he prove it?
Available now on Amazon
9/10ths of the Law
Adam Macklin, a London despatch
rider returns home to find an empty nest. His wife and kids
are gone. A brutal custody battle ensues, and the knives are
out...
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The
Housesitter
Jack Skelton is the Housesitter.
Robert Saker is an ex-SAS soldier now turned hired killer.
What has Jack done to deserve a bullet?
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Special features
Darley
Anderson, top UK literary agent, on books,
publishing and success
Zoė Sharp,
creator of the action-packed Charlie Fox series of books
Jeff
Kleinman, New York literary agent, talks shop
Crčme de la Crime:
An interview with Lynne Patrick, publisher and managing
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essential—British
publishing house.
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