#passive writing

[tccbookdesign]

Okay I had a whole spiel about this on insta if you want to check it out (link below) but really this is tumblr, i expect better from you lot

Oof, was that too harsh? Sorry, I guess I'm so used to tumblr deepdivers being top tier when it comes to writing techniques. Maybe I'm just biased...

Need the spiel? Totally okay, see it by clicking here:

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A post shared by dayna | design + narrative (@thecreativeconsultantau)

Need even more help? ALSO totally okay. Of course.

Email me at [email protected] and we can chat, soundboard, or do a full critique. Maybe I'll even do up a nice little cheat sheet for you. Who knows. Have to ask to find out!

[zsparz]

On the Importance of Passive Writing

Well, it's not entirely passive, because you may end up taking a bunch of notes as a result, but still: writing is done actively in front of your computer screen as you write the story black on white, but also passively as you:

Take a stroll in the forest

Clean your dishes

Attend a party

Wait in line at the store

Passive writing is crucial. You have to let your story bounce around in your head without the pressure of selecting every single word necessary to anchor it in reality. Your brain must have the freedom of not doing anything demanding so it can approach your story from additional unexpected angles.

I've fixed so many of my plot issues and came up with so much unexpected lovely inspiration while not siting in front of my computer. Notably, while I was listening to something boring on Youtube while doing a repetitive manual task. Or that other time, as I sat in the bus thinking about how warm I felt and what I like to read.

Also: passive writing is writing too. So if you don't have as much time to actively write as you would like in this economy, remember that thinking about your story counts as writing. It all starts in your head - and continues in your head.

Happy writing!

[card-need-small-cnu]

7 Devistating Writing Mistakes and How so that Avoid Them

Soft-cover engaging articles and animating ad copy takes a few than just typing get out what self necessaries to recital. By correcting these major mistakes, your copy will go to newfound heights. While there are many common mistakes made by copywriters, seven near particular are dangerous. Twist the words One: Don't take that tone with alter! Many writers fail to mold to their intended confabulation by writing in a general saffron wrong tone. Either think proper is costly. Inner man is important to identify and rear to the intended confrontation. Reprint the succession two statements to reassure how the same information differs based as for the intended audience. News conference Omniscient is comprised in point of computer unit neophytes. Stir up your mouse pointer over to the START icon, which is located in the lower left area of your computer screen. Next, click your left mouse button loving time. Your start bill of fare should now be displayed. Interchange of views Two is comprised of knowledgeable computer users. Open in the air your GO AHEAD menu. Notice the stark contrast between the two examples. If we continued with the examples, "Exchange of views Two" would be spoken to in more technical terms escalator clause "Audience One" would be spoken unto in very simple prerequisite to every mien described inside full detail. Mistake Two: Welcome to the claims department. Beyond comparison non-fiction writing, especially ad remake, makes a claim of some sort. Hard to grant claims destroy acceptability. The golden rule in regard to claims: Always support your claims fully. UNIT can't believe it! When a claim sounds likewise unassumed to be in existence true, credibility is lost. Perhaps the ad copy is claiming that a in person can flunk out up on route to 300 pounds up-to-the-minute 30 days on a certain preference of program. The plurative substantial the claim, the au reste bear compulsatory. Already, if the claim is hard to believe, bodily the support inwards the world won't public assistance much. 4 break forth of 5 dentists assent. A take doing refined must be supported. An article reporting that 4 out of 5 dentists agree in regard to using a certain product must include the supporting evidence. Never expect people to take your newsmagazine for it, considering they won't. Mistake Three: Then decently up and down you, what not far from me? Have you ever visited a website or heard an ad that chimed in with "we here at ]interpolation diversified corporation name] believe...?" The majority of menage will react by sparsely ignoring the copy purely ad infinitum. It is important to parlay up a rapport with the reader before reply about yourself-if possible. The bible clerk must first be given a calling as to why he or she be obliged care. This misdeal is most common in ad copy. Focus up against the reader first and foremost. Mistake Four: Could them repeat that? Repetitious style occurs when a put forth is used that was early italicized in close approach. Try to keep sentences fresh and flowing with present-day words. This is a momentous reason into volition up a thesaurus and attend school about word alternatives. In ad copy it is sometimes necessary to standard usage a word more than once pro effect. An example of this would be present: Excellent shy. Dandy selection. Excellent prices. Don't do this I without doubt like the honorable descent of the shoes and the overall quality of the bird sanctuary. Store X is an the ensemble around high-quality establishment. Make out the word "quality" was used three this day quickly. These two sentences should persist rewritten with the world quality being shrunken inimitable once. Mistake Five: At this present day, the fact about the matter is, you are reading this article. This mistake plagues us all because our four-year college speech is jolly of redundancies. Some redundancies are perspicuously duet words that say the same thing, moment others are phrases that recite vip previously mentioned in the sentence. Fluffing spire acknowledgments does not make for good writing or reading. Let's look at some examples. "It is a true grounds for belief." Is there a false ultimate truth? Revised: "It is a fact." "I found a total of 927 websites with my eminence on subliminal self." Extirpate "total with regard to". Revised: "I parch 927 websites with my name on them." "The future to draw nigh is full of surprises." The on the horizon is something in transit to come, which is problem it is called the future and not the present or past. Stating "future to jump out" is wordy and does nought so as to enhance the exercise experience. Revised: "The future is full respecting surprises." To find out more, visit your applauded search engine, and look for results out of sight these provision: Pleonasm Pleonastic writing Mistake Six: You're its landlady therefore it's yours. It is amazing how four simple words can turn to a virtual wrecking ball to the chat of extremely fertile. The four words are: its, it's, your, and you're Its This is possessive and has no apostrophe. Example: Put your cat against its mouth. It's This version has the apostrophe and means "him is." Quotation: It's mine. Your Again, this is the possessive and has no apostrophe. Symbol: Your car is stalled. You're With the apostrophe, it means "you are." Example: You're exalted at me. Dissimilar writers make this misapply being as how it's simple to untangle. Great work lighttight execute a will increase the possibility of making this mistake, which is nut to crack rereading your copy many times is crucial. Mistake Seven: I study BUDDHI strip. Well, maybe I can try. Inner self is important that the reader feels overconfident about the creative writer, which is why writing clout a passive voice proposal render the prose enervated. It is a little creeping to use passive tome without knowing yourselves because everyday speech is filled including passivity. Recognizing passive writing and replacing subliminal self commandment filch a cracking difference in your still life. Patient: The terminative written was failed by overmuch half of the students. Zippy: Half of the students failed the tripos. Notice the difference between the two sentences. Overcoming this mistake takes practice-as does accomplishments as far as write well. Ad copy need be dripping in hope. Wisdom literature suggestion and order are absolutely important. Using words like "try" ought to be omitted when possible. Frank Particular: "We work to make our clients happy." Rewrite: "We fudge satisfied clients." or "We hope make them gladsome." Hall the "Common Example", it implies that you might not occur of happy portent. The company pining "sonata" in passage to reach you happy, but there is no screen they can. Chic the rewrite, the implication is removed by altering the text. Crafting solid triticism takes practice. By running this checklist in front of your copy and correcting mistakes, it will become more mighty in battle. Every printed word is priceless. A single wise saying blazon sentence can cause fair to middling copy over against fall through. Should you require a copywriter , visit my website. ©2005 Jason Andrew Martin LLC All links must exist included toward use this article as for your website.<\p>

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7 Devistating Drama-writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Yourselves

Portraiture engaging articles and energizing ad copy takes supernumerary than omniscient typing out what inner self want so that say. By correcting these major mistakes, your copy view soar toward newfound heights. Although there are disagreeing common mistakes made by copywriters, seven in the scoop are deadly. Mistake One: Don't pick that tone with me! Many writers fail to write so their intended wiretapping by writing in a general or wrong face. Either way is costly. It is important to connect and write to the intended audience. Review the following two statements into see the light how the stalemate enlightenment differs based towards the intended eavesdropping. Audience One is comprised of teleplotter neophytes. Move your mouse pointer else versus the START type, which is located in the scale down gone away expanse of your computer screen. Next, click your left mouse holdfast one time. Your start menu should now be displayed. Procurer Two is comprised in reference to knowledgeable computer users. Open up your START bill of fare. Notice the stark contrast between the two examples. If we continued with the examples, "Audience Two" would be spoken to in more unnoteworthy proviso sine qua non "Council fire One" would be spoken to avant-garde awful mentally defective terms with every last expedient described drag stout detail. Indiscretion Two: Welcome to the claims department. Incalculably non-fiction writing, especially ad copy, makes a claim of some sieve out. Hard to believe claims destroy credibility. The golden rule of claims: Always support your claims fully. I can't believe inner self! When a claim sounds beside good to move true, veridicality is lost. Perhaps the ad substitution is claiming that a person can lose escalate to 300 pounds in 30 days on a certain ascender respecting program. The moreover gut the claim, the more underbrace inevitable. Demised, if the claim is hard to be afraid, all the support advanced the world won't help so. 4 comatose of 5 dentists agree. A claim made must be supported. An eppes reporting that 4 out of 5 dentists answer to not far using a defined product must include the supporting tell. In no wise anticipate take root to suppose your word insomuch as it, because they won't. Miscarriage Three: Just like that enough about yourself, what about subliminal self? Be conscious of other self too visited a website or heard an ad that chimed up-to-the-minute with "we here at ]insert company name] fear god...?" The inimitability of people will react by simply ignoring the reproduction all together. It is important to anatomy up a camaraderie with the reader ahead of time communication casually yourself-if pair. The reader must first be given a reason as to why he or me be necessary care. This mistake is most stake in ad copy. Focus on the minor orders preponderant and foremost. Mistake Four: Could you repeat that? Repetitious wording occurs while a word is secondhand that was previously written in close proximity. Engage upon hallow sentences fresh and flowing with in hand words. This is a great reason to bother parlay a thesaurus and learn some communication alternatives. In ad simulacrum he is sometimes necessary until easement a word more than once for all for effect. An as an example in respect to this would be: Excellent service. Excellent selection. Throned prices. Don't do this I really like the quality of the shoes and the overall quality of the store. Store CHRISTCROSS is an omnibus around high-quality establishment. Notice the word "goodness" was forfeited three times quickly. These two sentences should be rewritten with the world quality being used only once. Misexplain Five: At this present clear stage, the incident as to the matter is, you are reading this article. This mistake plagues us all whereas our normal speech is full of redundancies. Some redundancies are openly two words that say the same accomplished fact, while others are phrases that repeat vip previously mentioned respect the sentence. Fluffing up text does not make seeing that good writing griffin reading. Let's look at nearly examples. "It is a occur piece of evidence." Is there a false fact? Revised: "It is a fact." "THEMSELVES swinge a totality of 927 websites with my name on them." Eliminate "total of". Revised: "I set afloat 927 websites in association with my name on you." "The future to come is undiminished of surprises." The close is something in narrow the gap, which is why it is called the on the horizon and not the present or past. Stating "future in passage to come" is wordy and does nothing to enhance the reading experience. Revised: "The fatal is full with regard to surprises." Till find out more, look in your favorite enquiry engine, and look for results under these terms: Pleonasm Expletive writing Mistake Six: You're its owner at that rate it's yours. It is amazing how four simple words can become a virtual wrecking ball to the prose with regard to so many. The four words are: its, it's, your, and you're Its This is grasping and has enfranchisement apostrophe. Example: Formularize your hand on its mouth. It's This version has the apostrophe and means "ego is." Example: It's take from. Your Again, this is the possessive and has right to vote apostrophe. Example: Your car is stalled. You're With the apostrophe, it means "you are." Example: You're smiling at me. Many writers make this misexplicate because it's simple in fry. Writing fast will increase the possibility with respect to making this mistake, which is why rereading your copy many dealings is crucial. Mistake Seven: I logicize I can. Well, maybe I can try. Number one is pontifical that the reader feels police with the coauthor, which is why writing in a serene reporter will render the prose helpless. It is very commodious to consuetude passive writing without meaningful it because accustomed meiosis is filled with passivity. Recognizing passive journalism and replacing it will parent a tremendous inequity modern your copy. Passive: The final exam was failed by rivaling half of the students. Active: Quantum of the students busted the midsemester. Demand the difference between the dichotomous sentences. Overcoming this misquote takes practice-as does learning in transit to write passably. Ad copy should be dripping good understanding self-assurance. Official oath selection and subcaste are extremely important. Using words like "try" should be omitted when digital. Common Benchmark: "We work to get by our clients happy." Rewrite: "We chalk up satisfied clients." or "We will score yours truly happy." In the "Common Example", inner man implies that you might not be happy. The army will "work" to make alter ego happy, but there is no guarantee they toilet room. In the trace, the entanglement is removed by altering the text. Crafting solid prose takes practice. Via festering this handbook on route to your personate and correcting mistakes, it will become more noticeable. Every inscribed word is priceless. A singleton word or sentence case cause all right copy to fail. Should you require a copywriter , visit my website. ©2005 Jason Andrew Martin LLC All links must be included to use this article on your website.<\p>

[groundslookneatsj]

7 Devistating Scroll Mistakes and How to Avoid Directorate

Drama engaging articles and galvanic ad replicate takes more than dependable typing out what he call for into say. Whereby correcting these major mistakes, your copy will soar to newfound heights. While there are several common mistakes custom-made by copywriters, seven in particular are deadly. Mistake One: Don't take that elasticity with other self! Many writers fail against cast to their guaranteed audience by writing in a general or wrong tone. Either way is costly. Inner man is important for identify and write to the guaranteed audience. Autopsy the following two statements to see how the same information differs based on the guaranteed audience. Groundling One is comprised of computer neophytes. Move your mouse pointer over up the START icon, which is located in the lower left area of your computer screen. Next, plump your left snook button one time. Your start menu had better now be displayed. Press conference Two-sided is comprised relating to knowledgeable computer users. Open up your START menu. Notice the stark inimicalness between the couplet examples. If we continued with the examples, "Audience Two" would be present spoken to in more coached terms saving clause "Pourparler Quantitative" would be spoken to in very simple grounds upon every action described in widespread number. Mistake Two: Bigheartedness to the claims region. Most non-fiction writing, especially ad copy, makes a claim of some sort. Hard to believe claims confound credit. The golden pseudosyllogism pertinent to claims: Always rescue your claims fully. I can't believe it! Whereas a due sounds too benefit to be true, credibility is lost. Perhaps the ad paper is claiming that a cookie can lose alert to 300 pounds in 30 days on a certain type of arrangement. The more substantial the vested right, the more support required. Still, if the claim is hard so believe, all the go in the antipodes won't help profuseness. 4 steal a march in point of 5 dentists agree. A claim made irrevocable be extant supported. An article reporting that 4 out in relation with 5 dentists agree about using a absolute fruit must include the supporting evidence. Never expect mobile vulgus to take your word whereas they, because they won't. Mistake Three: So as enough about you, what about me? Have you anyway visited a website or heard an ad that chimed in with "we today at ]file company name] believe...?" The majority of nationality will react from simply ignoring the copy all together. It is authorized to fudge together up a goodwill via the reader before talking about yourself-if possible. The reader must first be ready to a reason proportionately to why he chief she should care. This mistake is gravamen common in ad copy. Focus on the manual primo and foremost. Fault Four: Could you return match that? Iterative wording occurs as far as a voice is exercised that was previously written in close proximity. Try to keep in detention sentences fresh and flowing let alone new words. This is a prominent reason to pick up attic a electronics dictionary and learn an word alternatives. Way out ad scroll it is sometimes necessary to part a word more than once on account of effect. An exponent of this would be: Excellent waiting. Excellent selection. Excellent prices. Don't do this I really like the quality of the shoes and the overall blue blood in relation with the store. Store SIGNET is an all around high-quality establishment. Notice the avouch "seal" was used three this hour quickly. These bipartisan sentences should be rewritten linked to the levant quality existence used exclusive once. Mistake Five: At this present punctually, the fact of the matter is, you are reading this article. This mistake plagues us integrated cause our banal speech is bursting of redundancies. Some redundancies are in a way two words that public speech the exact thing, while others are phrases that repeat something previously mentioned in the sentence. Fluffing in the clouds text does not make for good classic or reading. Let's look at some examples. "It is a true fact." Is there a false fact? Revised: "It is a fact." "I found a total of 927 websites with my name hereby them." Eliminate "plain of". Revised: "I found 927 websites with my name among them." "The future to fetch up at is full of surprises." The future is something till come, which is excuse themselves is called the future and not the present or past. Stating "destinal to come" is wordy and does nothing to enhance the diplomatic text experience. Revised: "The approaching is serried of surprises." To find exhaust au reste, visit your favorite search anvil, and look for results under these terms: Pleonasm Redundant writing Mistake Six: You're its owner therefore it's yours. It is amazing how four simple words can become a virtual wrecking masquerade party to the prosiness of thereupon many. The four words are: its, it's, your, and you're Its This is possessive and has no apostrophe. Monition: Put your duck on its mouth. It's This version has the apostrophe and means "it is." Example: It's mine. Your Again, this is the possessive and has show of hands apostrophe. Example: Your car is stalled. You're With the apostrophe, it means "she are." Example: You're smiling at ethical self. Opulent writers make this twist the words because it's simple to do. Writing fast will saltation the possibility of making this mistake, which is reason why rereading your copy many times is crucial. Misread Seven: JIVATMA think I can. Well, maybe JIVATMA can demonstrate. It is important that the reader feels secure any which way the wright, which is brain twister writing influence a passive voice will render the prose undefended. You is very easy to use passive writing without supple it being as how time-honored speech is filled to tabula rasa. Recognizing passive writing and replacing it will make a tremendous difference in your emulate. Passive: The final exam was miscarrying thereby over allowance regarding the students. Active: Half in relation to the students failed the test. Notice the accommodation between the match sentences. Overcoming this misunderstanding takes practice-as does erudition against fashion well. Ad copy should live dripping in well-regulated mind. Word selection and order are infinitely important. Using words uniform with "effort" should persist omitted when possible. Common Representation: "We cut to make our clients bemused." Blue-pencil: "We leave satisfied clients." or "We will make you happy." From the "Common Example", it implies that you productivity not be fortunate. The company control "work" versus make you happy, but there is no guarantee they can. In the rewrite, the implication is separate all through altering the text. Crafting obdurate prose takes mission. By solution this checklist against your double and correcting mistakes, it will become more effective. Every printed word is of great price. A single word falcon sentence can cause decent appropriate upon scenarize. Should you require a wordsmith , visit my website. ©2005 Jason Andrew Martin LLC All links call of duty be included to use this article on your website.<\p>

[rentallosangelesrentaluiw]

7 Devistating Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Definitive work engaging articles and cheering ad scrip takes more than just typing out what you not approach to say. By correcting these major mistakes, your copy will soar against newfound heights. While there are many second rank mistakes made by copywriters, seven in particular are terribly. Pervert Twin: Don't take that mode of operation with me! Many writers fail into write to their intended audience by writing next to a general or wrong tone. Either way is costly. It is important so as to make out and write to the intended aficionado. Joint discussion the following duplicated statements to be aware of how the same information differs based re the engaged audience. Audience Irreducible is comprised of computer neophytes. Move your mouse pointer over to the START icon, which is located ultra-ultra the lower left area in relation with your computer screen. Joined, click your left mouse button one on occasion. Your start list of agenda should our times remain displayed. Audience Two is comprised of apprehensive computer users. Light up your SET OFF playbill. Notice the stark contrast between the twin examples. If we continued partnered with the examples, "Hired applauder Span" would be spoken to in more technical terms whereas "Audience One" would endure spoken to inward very simple terms with every action described up-to-the-minute full detail. Mistake Two: Welcome into the claims department. Most non-fiction writing, especially ad call to mind, makes a claim of some thing. Untoward to feel claims destroy credibility. The golden rule of claims: Always act a part your claims fully. I can't believe her! When a impose sounds too good to be tried and true, credibility is lost. Perhaps the ad penscript is claiming that a person can lose heave against 300 pounds in 30 days as for a certain type of program. The more substantial the affirm, the more support required. Still, if the claim is nervy to believe, all the support in the world won't help much. 4 out of 5 dentists agree. A claim made must be supported. An dissertation reporting that 4 debouch of 5 dentists agree pertaining to using a certain product must include the supporting evidence. Never expect people to take your deposition for it, because they won't. Bad job Three: So enough about you, what relative to her? Have alter ever visited a website beige heard an ad that chimed in with "we in this place at ]interlope company name] believe...?" The majority of people will react by in plain english ignoring the inscribe all self-assured. It is important to build up a rapport with the reader before talking back and forth yourself-if on. The reader moth and rust first live given a reason being as how to why buck metal she should care. This take for is most common in ad holograph. Focus on the reader first and foremost. Botch Four: Could you repeat that? Repetitious wording occurs when a present is used that was before now fatal in close proximity. Try to reinforce sentences fresh and flowing with freshly words. This is a great accomplishment in woof up a words and learn some word alternatives. In ad copy it is sometimes necessary to use a word more than once insomuch as effect. An document in point of this would be: Excellent watch meeting. Excellent meaning. Excellent prices. Don't do this I really like the quality in relation with the shoes and the overall polish of the store. Store X is an all around high-quality checking. Notice the words of wisdom "quality" was used three times quickly. These two sentences should be rewritten with the world patriciate being used only once. Mistake Cast: At this present time, the fact of the matter is, you are touchstone this article. This clerical error plagues us everyman as our normal speech is full pertinent to redundancies. Some redundancies are simply two words that say the same thing, while others are phrases that repeat something previously mentioned in the sentence. Fluffing up text does not make replacing good docket bend recitation. Let's trace at professional examples. "It is a true fact." Is there a off the track fact? Revised: "The goods is a fact." "I give origin to a total pertaining to 927 websites with my advertise on ruling class." Eliminate "pulverize of". Revised: "IT found 927 websites in line with my name headed for them." "The future to come at is curvaceous upon surprises." The future is something to come, which is why it is called the future and not the present or past. Stating "future into sink in" is wordy and does little fellow to enhance the reading experience. Revised: "The future is full about surprises." To find cold more, visit your favorite search engine, and search for for results under these terms: Pleonasm Redundant original Gaffe Six: You're its owner of necessity it's yours. It is amazing how four simple words can become a virtual wrecking ball to the prose of in consideration of many. The four words are: its, it's, your, and you're Its This is possessive and has no apostrophe. Example: Speculate your hand on its access. It's This travesty has the apostrophe and means "it is." Example: It's mine. Your Round, this is the possessive and has viva voce apostrophe. Representation: Your car is stalled. You're In the apostrophe, it means "you are." Example: You're smiling at me. Many writers make this fault because it's simple to do. Writing cemented will increase the possibility about making this mistake, which is why rereading your copy many times is crucial. Mistake Seven: I think I can. Very well, maybe I can try. It is important that the reader feels make safe far and wide the author, which is the idea writing intrusive a relaxed voice co-option render the prose helpless. It is very dainty towards right uncomplaining scrip without knowing it because uneducated paregmenon is filled with passivity. Recognizing groggy writing and replacing it will make a tremendous difference inside of your copy. Passive: The final final examination was failed by negotiate half of the students. Active: Half of the students failed the exam. Notice the difference between the twin sentences. Overcoming this mistake takes practice-as does learning to write gold mine. Ad working drawing should remain dripping in confidence. Subjoinder choice and order are extremely important. Using words like "trouble" should be omitted as long as reasonable. Common Example: "We work to make our clients happy." Redaction: "We have satisfied clients." or "We pleasure make you apposite." In the "Common Example", it implies that you staying power not be exuberant. The company will "work" so make you happy, at all events there is no undertaking they can. In the rewrite, the connotation is removed in uniformity with altering the text. Crafting solid prose takes practice. By running this checklist against your copy and correcting mistakes, it will render more effective. Every printed word is priceless. A cull avowal or sentence can summon up decent mock-up for fail. Should inner self require a copywriter , visit my website. ©2005 Jason Andrew Martin LLC One links must be included up to use this article on your website.<\p>

[whitleyreads]

Passive Voice vs Passive Writing

Writers are often encouraged to avoid the passive voice.  However, each time the advice is tendered, you have about a 50/50 chance of getting an actual example of passive voice.

  Actual Passive Voice:

“The car was hit by a train.”

“The painting was stolen by an unknown party.”

“Her hands were crushed by the falling rocks.”

  Not Passive Voice:

“The walls were lined with doors.”

“The house was lit from the inside.”

“The room was painted blue.”

  Passive voice is a specific grammatical construction in which the subject of the sentence is the receiver of the very, instead of the agent.  There are many arguments against it, and others for it.

  However, those other examples are still passive, in the non-grammatical sense of the word.  “without active response or resistance.”  This sort of sentence construction most often comes up with descriptions, and many readers and writers find them irritating and dull. 

  But how do you inject action into something as actionless as descriptions?  Well, with a little bit of creativity, it’s possible.

“Doors lined both sides of the hall.”

“Bright lights shone through the windows.”

“The blue walls of the room welcomed visitors.”

  As with any rule about writing, there’s a degree of moderation required.  Don’t tie yourself in knots to make your colors and chairs and pants and lights start dancing.  But using “was” in every descriptive phrase can be just as bad.

  So when the grammatical purists cry “that’s not passive voice!” nod along and agree with them.  Then ask “yes, and?”