In my working life, I wrote many technical documents using a writing system called 'Simplified Technical English'.

This system was designed to help mechanics and technicians whose mother tongue was not English to clearly understand complicated aircraft maintenance procedures.

So, I thought it might be a good idea to apply some of the same principles to fictional prose as an aid to learning English, and defined seven writing rules:

1. Do not use an obscure or complicated word if a simple word will do.

2. Use short sentences. Maximum sentence length 25 words.

3. Use frequent paragraph breaks. Aim for no more than 8 sentences per paragraph.

4. Do not use dialect.

5. Only use jargon, slang or colloquial expressions if they are well known and in everyday use.

6. Limit the use of word contractions (avoid: he'd, you're, we'll, etc.).

7. For words with multiple meanings, stick to the same meaning throughout the prose (for example if you use 'right' to indicate a direction do not then use it to mean 'correct').