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Effective fiction writing must include a goal that’s either achieved or not by the end of the story. But the best fiction usually includes some sort of redemption. Writing Tip for Today: Here are a few thoughts about adding redemption to your character’s story arc: Lessons Learned In some novels or stories, the character starts […]
As we get back to our projects, novelists always face the same dilemma: How much should my character “lose” in the story? Writing Tip for Today: Let’s examine some ways that making your character lose is a winning strategy. Your Alter Ego Many of us give our characters the qualities we ourselves have or wish […]
It’s a story’s pivotal moment—the one where everything changes for your character. One moment, this protagonist thinks all is lost, then somehow finds inner strength to meet the biggest challenge. But how do you write this? The key word is in the somehow. Writing Tip for Today: Stories are more satisfying and believable if […]
Writing unforgettable characters is much more than simply giving a character a unique habit or speech tag. To be truly memorable, a character should be unique both inside and out. Writing Tip for Today: Let’s look at some ways to make characters unforgettable. Guard Against Stereotypes In writing sentences, we’re cautioned against using clichés, but […]
In my classes I often use well-known movies to illustrate writing techniques, as do many writing coaches. Being a visual society, we are apt to more easily grasp writing skills if we can picture them unfolding on the screen. If you watch movies as a writer, I guarantee you’ll never approach films or your work […]
Writers often talk about the importance of a likable main character. Readers must care about a character before they’ll sign on for the story’s journey. Yet we can all point to characters who aren’t exactly likable yet they are unforgettable. What’s the right tone to aim for in a Main Character? Writing Tip for Today: […]
Over the weekend I had the privilege of attending a one day workshop with Donald Maass. Yep. THAT Donald Maass, of Writing the Breakout Novel and Writing 21st Century Fiction fame. So naturally, I’m thinking a lot more profoundly about my characters. How can you write your characters in a deeper way and why should […]
Last post we considered the story question, which defines the things the main character will or won’t do in order to overcome obstacles and reach a goal. Story arc is a way of explaining that journey. But what about the character’s personal arc?Writing Tip for Today: When writers refer to a character arc, they are […]
Writers hold in high esteem experts and writing books and authors we think are doing it right. We practice, we’re persistent and some of us are patient. Intent on mastering our craft, we perfect our skills. Yet sometimes when I’m frustrated, I grumble. “Who made up these rules, anyway?”Writing Tip for Today: Writers obediently learn and follow […]
A scene from a story moves briskly, has an abundance of action and good dialogue. It’s chock full of characterization or setting. Yet it needs to be cut from the story. What could be wrong?Writing Tip for Today: Sometimes writers can be seduced by their own scenes. If a scene contains all the positive aspects […]