The 36 chapters of Good Writing

Replace weak verbs, which are imprecise (walked, stood), with strong verbs, which are specific to the action described (limped, malingered).

The verbs "to be" and "to have" are the weakest of all verbs; by nature static, they slow a narrative.

When attributing a quote, said is the right verb for attribution; the reader's attention is on who said it, not how it was said.

Favor shorter, punchier Anglo-Saxon words over fancy, abstract Latinate words.

Unless you're writing a technical manual, keep your language conversational and use modern speech patterns.

Transitional phrases (then, next, when, meanwhile, however) are not needed unless a gap in time or logic has been opened.

Delete the word "very" and other crutch words (such as: actually, really, some, basically, rather, important)

Remove the clutter of short words (pronouns, prepositions, connectors).

Pronouns are hard for readers to follow, especially "this" and "it."

Avoid repeating distinctive words within the same paragraph or close proximity.

The better word is both precise and unnoticed. A thesaurus is your book of magic spells.

Unmodified clichés bore readers. Twist them into something fresh or remove them.

Long sentences require attention to detail, conjunctions, rhythm, and a payoff at the end.

Interrupt lyrical or otherwise long passages with an abrupt, short sentence.

Even if you begin your sentence strongly, end it even stronger.

Dialogue needs to be as zippy and economical as the rest of the book.

Describe characters and places once. Avoid redundant reminders.

Use all five senses in your descriptions, not just sight.

Show thoughts and feelings directly instead of filtering through verbs like "thought" or "felt".