Barrie Davenport, Author at Authority Self-Publishing

Write Like Water: 9 Ways to Achieve Effortless Writing Flow

August 23, 2023 by Barrie Davenport

Whether you’re working on the next great American novel or drafting your company’s annual report, choppy, disjointed writing kills readability.

Smooth, seamless prose sweeps readers along effortlessly.

So how can you transform stilted, clumsy text into flowing, lyrical passages?

In this article, we provide simple yet powerful tips to dramatically improve the flow of your writing.

From varying sentence structure to connecting paragraphs cohesively, these techniques will help you captivate readers from the very first word.

When And How To Use “Per Our Conversation” + 9 Alternative Phrases

July 17, 2023 by Barrie Davenport

“Per our conversation” is a phrase that’s frequently tossed around, and today, we’re breaking it down.

What does it mean?

Is it grammatically sound?

When should you use it?

Is it rude — or can it be?

All the answers are below.

So pull up a screen and prepare to learn everything you could possibly want to know about “per our conversation.”

Understanding Second-Person Point Of View + 7 Examples

July 16, 2023 by Barrie Davenport

When writing fiction, it’s more usual to use either first person, third person omniscient, or third person limited.

Second person has its drawbacks and limitations, but sometimes it’s the exact right point of view for the story, and if that’s the case, then you should go for it.

It can also be an interesting exercise to try writing your current work in progress in second person to look at it from a different angle and see it in a way you may not have been able to see it before.

It’s certainly worth exploring second-person point of view to improve your writing and perhaps find new ways to create your characters and write your books.

In this article, we’re going to look at what second-person point of view is, why you should use it, why you might avoid it, and we’ll give you some examples of writing in second person.

How To Write A Personal Narrative + 5 Personal Narrative Examples

June 20, 2023June 20, 2023 by Barrie Davenport

Tell us about yourself.

Scary, right!?

Welcome to the art of writing personal narratives.

It’s one of the most intimidating but powerful writing styles out there.

But don’t worry. We got your back.

Below, we’re breaking it all down with narrative writing examples.

By the end, you’ll have the tips you need to get it done…and done well.

So grab your notepad, and let’s dive in.

19 Can’t-Put-Down Dystopian Books Like 1984

May 26, 2023 by Barrie Davenport

Are you looking for books similar to 1984, George Orwell’s magnum opus?

If so, you’ve crash-landed into the right spot.

Our team curated a list of 19 novels for readers searching for stories that tackle similar issues to those explored in Orwell’s satirical, social-science classic.

Some titles are more lighthearted than others, and our list spans decades and demographics.

In other words: There’s variety, and we hope you find something that hits your literary spot!

Writing With Irony: 15 Examples Of Irony In Literature

May 2, 2023 by Barrie Davenport

People throw around the word “irony” a lot, but its exact definition eludes many.

In their seminal work, The King’s English, the Fowler brothers (aka, the GOATS of grammar) define irony as something in which “the surface meaning and the underlying meaning of what is said are not the same.”

As a literary skill, irony adds tantalizing dimensions to plots and characters. Moreover, using it makes for clever and engaging writing.

So today, we’re examining the nuts and bolts of irony and how to incorporate it into your work.

The Difference Between Empathy vs. Sympathy With Examples

April 20, 2023 by Barrie Davenport

As a writer, infusing your work with sympathy and empathy is a significant part of developing relatable characters and believable situations.

Without them, stories are about as engaging as 60 Minutes to a 6-year-old kid.

Both emotions are grounded in compassion, but how does empathy differ from sympathy?

In short, having sympathy for another person amounts to expressing genuinely kind sentiments in the wake of a bad event. Showing empathy for someone is an act of service, typically rooted in shared experiences or emotions.

Below, we’re dissecting both concepts through a literary lens, complete with sympathy vs. empathy examples.