Guide to Writing Novels (NovelToon Official)
PUEBI and Layouting Also Affect Reading Interest
The common mistakes below have a big impact on the reading experience. Here are some tips for writers.
1) Error Use of Punctuation/PUEBI
Most novice writers may think that punctuation is not so important as to place punctuation marks with origin, or not even add punctuation. In fact, this actually greatly affects the quality of the work. In addition to writing so more flowing and readable, writing the right dialogue can also make the reader better understand the meaning of the sentence in the story.
Neat writing is also a plus, especially when following the writing competition. Usually one of the important aspects assessed from the manuscript in addition to the content/flow of interest is the suitability of punctuation.
The use of too many punctuation marks, as well as writing without punctuation or decapitation of sentences indicates that the author cannot understand the logical relationship between sentences and scene changes.
Especially the use of punctuation marks for dialogue writing, here are some things to note:
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① Use of quotes for dialog:
If you do not use quotes in interstellar dialogue, this will make it difficult for readers to distinguish between speakers and story narratives.
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② Usage of a dot at the end of the dialog:
Wrong example: “I'm sure he's the winner”. ❌
Correct example: “I'm sure he's the winner.” ✔
Punctuation marks are placed before quotation marks at the end of the dialogue.
When accompanied by a narrative, then the provisions are like this :
Wrong example: “He is indeed very talented.” he looked at Doni amazed. ❌
Correct example: “He is indeed very talented.” He looked at Doni in admiration. ✔
What distinguishes it? Initial letter of narration. The initial letters of the narrative must be preceded by capital.
If the narrative is at the beginning, then the provisions are like this :
Wrong example: Princess smile, “You are the best friend.” ❌
A true example: Princess smiles. “You are the best friend.” ✔
Why is the first example wrong, even though the capital letter at the beginning of the dialogue is correct? Unfortunately, the author uses punctuation (,) which should be (.)
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③ Use of commas at the end of the dialog:
Typically, a comma is used in conjunction with the tag dialog. What is dialogue tag? Dialog tags are phrases that follow a dialogue. Its function is to inform the reader. In addition, dialog tags are used when the dialogue is about disclosure of something. Start with a lowercase letter after the quotation mark. Usually marked with: word, word, squeal, connect, hatch, reveal, and so forth.
Wrong example: “I threw away the evidence.” Martin. ❌
Correct example: “I threw away the evidence,” Martin said. ✔
In the early example, the reading sign is (.) which should be (,).
The first letter after the dialogue is capital. It should start with a lowercase letter.
Look at the following example.
Wrong example: Rey says. “Your new car I borrowed.” ❌
Correct example: Rey says, “Your new car I borrowed.” ✔
Similar phrases “Revealed Martin” and “Rey said” that is what is referred to as Dialog Tag.
If the tag dialog is at the beginning like Rey's example, then after the word “Rey says” is punctuated (,) then it starts the dialogue and ends with a punctuation mark (.) before the closing quotes as punctuation.
If the tag dialog is at the end like the Martin example, then use punctuation (,) before the closing quotes in the dialog.
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Punctuation marks?
Dialogue without reading the tone is the same as a character who lost his soul and emotions. Writing like this will certainly make it difficult for readers to guess what the character feels at that time. For example:
⑥ Exclamation mark usage at end of dialog
Exclamation marks are usually used to affirm, warn, express anger and shout. Consider example A:
Wrong example: “Go from my house now.” snapped Rafli. ❌
Correct example: “Go from my house now!” snapped Rafli. ✔
Why is the first example wrong and the second example right? Look at the narrative after the dialogue. There, the narrative is “Bentak” which is certainly high intonation. For this reason, the reading sign uses (!).
Take an example B
Wrong example: “I'm not that bad!” lirih. ❌
Correct example: “I am not that bad ..” he said softly. ✔
Why was the initial example wrong? In fact, it's a form of affirmation. He insists that he is not as bad as people think. When viewed in terms of expression it is true. Then what's wrong? Its narrative. If you pay attention to more detail, the author gives a narrative “ucapnya lirih”, where the word is low intonation. Not in accordance with the meaning of the exclamation mark itself.
Tip: If you want to use example B, then after the dialogue do not have to use the narrative anymore. -> “I am not that bad!” ✔
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⑦ Use of question marks at the end of the dialog
Question marks are used to complete a question sentence.
Wrong example: “What are you doing here?”, Tanya Barli. ❌
Correct example: “What are you doing here?” ask Barli. ✔
The initial example is wrong because after the quotes at the end of the dialogue, the author again uses punctuation. That was clearly wrong because it used two punctuation marks. In addition, his position was not in accordance with the rules. And again, the initial letters in the narrative use capital letters, which should use lowercase letters.
Tip: Any dialogue that uses question marks or exclamation marks, the narrative begins with lowercase letters. Example: yell; ask.
Take for example:
“Did you hurt him?” The man glanced towards the woman beside him.
Why is the initial letter in this narrative capital? Because there are different sentences. “He glanced at the woman beside him” is a new sentence.
Different when the sentence is like this:
Because it starts with a word like (ask, search, etc.). Both are still in one sentence.
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⑧ Use of Elipsis/Three dots (..)
This sign is commonly used to give a pause to the dialogue.
Example : “So ... You really rejected me?”
Watch the technique of use. The way to use ellipses in a dialogue is when there is a pause in the dialogue. Before using ellipsis, space it first. After using it, put a space again. Then please start the next word. Remember, the new word after the letter ellipsis should initially be small. See examples for more details.
What if the ellipsis is at the end? Look at the example below.
Example 1: “Do not cry again. Please ...”
Example 2: “Don't cry anymore. Please ...” said Billy slowly.
If the ellipsis is in the back and there is no longer a narrative after it, then use example 1.
The first three dots are ellipses, and the other one is punctuation.
If the ellipsis is behind and there is another narrative after, then use example number 2 where there is only an ellipsis sign there.
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⑨ Usage en dash (—) in dialog
Usually used for disjointed or truncated dialogue.
Example 1:
“Ti— no. That's not what I mean.” (disconnected).
Example 2:
“So you're pe—” (cut off because someone immediately attacked his words).
“Iya. I did it,” Andra said quickly.
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⑩ Word usage “kan” in dialog
See the example below:
“She's your lover, right?”
Watch how to put it. It is not uncommon to find sentences like this in some stories. Put a sign (,) before writing the word “kan” in the dialog.
Similar example :
“Disciplined yes, Nak.”
Such a sentence also passed the use of the sign (,) before the word “Nak.”
Note: the word “Nak” in the initial letter dialog is large, because it is a replacement call for a child. (Son, Nduk, Non, etc).
Your writing will be more readable and readers will not misinterpret the meaning.
It also applies to nicknames such as:
“Color twilight is beautiful. Aren't you, Brother?”
“I'm not lying, Bun.”
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⑪ Capital usage on names and calls in dialog
Example 1: “I hope Dad blesses our wedding,” David said expectantly.
Example 2: “I hope your father blesses our marriage,” said Nia lirih.
Consider between examples one and two. In the first example, the word “Ayah” begins with a capital letter. Wh why? Because the person in question is there. Or get involved in the conversation.
Whereas in the second example, the word “ayah” begins with a lowercase letter that indicates the father is not there or not involved in the conversation.
Example 3: “According to Mr. Tono, we should not pass this road.”
Example 4: “Thank you Mr. Tono for his cooperation.”
If you find sentences like the examples number three and four, pay close attention.
In example number 3, the word “pak Tono” letters were originally written small and the second letter was written large because it is the name of the person. This is the same as example number 1, which Mr. Tono was not involved in the conversation.
In example number 4, the word “Pak Tono” letters were originally written in large and the letters both were written in large because they are people's names. This is the same as example number 2, which Mr. Tono was involved in the conversation.
Tip:
- The initial letter in the dialogue must be capital.
the name of the person or call must also use capital letters.
- If a sentence is too long\, the reader will be gasping and tired of reading your story. Even\, leave your story because it is considered dizzying\, rambling or no longer interesting and boring.
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2) Too Much Narration, Repetition of Sentences
Online novels pursue a fast rhythm. A quick rhythm can make the reader feel happy. What one would expect from an online novel is a story, not a description of a scene, a philosophy of life or a character introduction. It's too boring compared to the story.
Some writers like to explain the background of the story in length and detail. Meanwhile, readers of online novels read very quickly, so they miss a lot of long narratives because of boredom.
Writers have worked hard to keep writing, but unfortunately readers feel that they are not satisfied with the storyline. This causes the reader not to read carefully and ultimately miss your story. Since the reader thinks, there will definitely be some incomprehensible points on the next plot so they decide not to continue reading your story.
Tip: The narrative is not too fat. Maximum 1 paragraph 5 sentences (3-5 sentences).
Layout :
The layout in online novel writing is very important. Good drafting can make the reader feel comfortable. If one paragraph has more than 10 lines, this will make the reader feel dizzy, and may miss the long paragraph, so that when reading the next paragraph becomes disconnected. Therefore, the layout of the preparation should be short and clear, and avoid the use of long paragraphs. This seems unimportant, but it has a big impact on the reading experience in the app.
Tip: So make sure to write more short sentences, the text is concise, and easy to understand. If the author cannot decapitate a sentence, the author can learn the division of scenes in filmmaking as a reference.
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