Change and the Human Mind
One step to an effective arc is not just to get your character up in a tree and throw rocks at them; it's also to figure out just how that tree/rock scenario affects your character.
Playing The “Too Many Drafts” Game (in which Everyone is a Winner)
Do you know this game? If you’re a writer, you do: It’s where you write a draft, but it’s not right, so you put it aside and try again. And again. If this describes you, congratulations! You’re a writer. And there's hope for your draft.
The Two Most Important Things I Know About Writing
These two things seem contradictory. Spoiler alert: they're not.
Why Neil Gaiman?
I'm going to tell you precisely why I love Neil Gaiman's work, and I'll do it by breaking down one of my favorite short stories: THE PRICE.
Stop Thinking About Marketing
The reason we feel the need to hold baby creations up to some 30-year pro's for comparison is because our culture teaches us to judge all art according to salability - but salability is not the point of art.
Just Keep Writing (even when it hurts)
So I wrote today for the first time since my dad died. It was not, shall we say, a *good* experience.
Writing Fatigue (and what to do about it)
This month is not about producing something publishable. It's about teaching yourself to just keep writing, to ignore the inner editor, and to let yourself just spill words onto the page.
An Uncomfortable Truth (About Writing)
Fellow writer, this will not feel good to read, but it is VERY IMPORTANT.
Lose the Guilt: You Don’t Have to Write Every Day
For those of us who need to write, there's good news: you can still be a writer even if you can't write every day.
Location As a Character
Your location affects your other characters and plot every bit as much as your protagonist, antagonist, awesome sidekicks, eponymous heroes, or sarcastic love-interests.
Making Your Villain 3D: What’s His Favorite Food?
Weird question, isn't it? But if you don't know the answer, your characters might not be 3D.
No One Can Tell Your Story But You
Writing is a strange thing, filled with emotional roller-coasters and storms and deserts. Who would ever put themselves willingly through this? Well, you (and me). Why? Because you have something to say. The only person who can tell your story is you.
Kill Your Filter Words (And make your writing more powerful)
This one simple tip can add zest and power to your writing.
How to Make Third-Person Perspective More Personal
Having trouble making your characters seem less distant? This will help.
This tip is nifty. This tip is seriously, unrepentantly nifty. To make your third-person point of view sound more personal, you have to remove the filter words.Dealing With the Word “No”
Each time you get a "no," it can really feel like that was it - the end. You will get another chance. I'm going to share two really simple (though challenging) things that kept me going through all the "no's," until I finally had my "yes."
How (And When) to Handle Critics
Lemme tell ya something: you are never going to make everyone happy.