Why do you write? Perhaps you're penning a memoir, fantasy, or romance. Maybe you're writing a sci-fi series or creative nonfiction novel. At the receiving end will be readers who demand clarity. If you confuse them, you lose them. Learn how to capture their attention and keep them engaged. Discover when to bend or break the so-called "rules" and motivate everyone to finish "just one more chapter." * Explore ways to create convincing dialogue without resorting to distracting dialect, pauses, or ill-placed exposition. * Conquer words and phrases that propagate like a virus. * Find answers to the following questions: - Is it ever alright to use "alright"? - What is the correct order for stacked modifiers? - Why should you avoid filter words? - How can you reduce word bloat? - Are adverbs really as villainous as many insist? - What about semicolons, present tense, and head-hopping? - What is contractionitis? How can it be cured? * Learn how to: - Minimize repetition of words such as "but" and "because." - Decrease reliance on crutch words. - Reduce word bloat. - Maximize action beats. This book is a must-have for all writers, from amateur to professional, fiction to nonfiction. Sprinkled throughout, you'll find exercises and examples with ideas for story prompts. Snap 'em up at will, and ... ... write on.