Writing a compelling and engaging story is a lot like telling a joke. Just as a joke follows a certain format, so does a story within a specific genre. Whether you’re penning a mystery, a romance, or a thriller, each genre comes with its own set of expectations, much like the setup, narrative, and punchline of a joke. Use genre expectations to add obligatory scenes that readers expect. This will boost your fiction story plotting and lead to a more satisfying and captivating reading experience.
Author: Tim Kane
Tim Kane is a writer of fiction.
Creativity is Chemistry: Ideas are Easy to Discover but Hard to Combine
If you’re a writer, then you’ve faced this question before: “Where do you get your ideas?” Well, the idea part is easy. They pop up all the time. Ideas are like atoms, easy to discover and there are only so many to choose from. It’s how you combine these ideas that matters. Creativity is chemistry, constantly rehashing the same core concepts to create something new.
Crafting Subtext for Your Character
Creating subtext for your character is a crucial tool in a fiction writer’s arsenal. It adds depth, complexity, and intrigue to your characters and plot. Subtext is the art of saying one thing on the surface while conveying deeper, hidden meanings underneath.
Using Push and Pull Motivation to Create Dynamic Characters
Character motivation forms a crucial thread that weaves the plot and narrative together. Characters in a story, much like real individuals, are driven by a mix of internal and external forces. Psychologists have labeled these push and pull motivations. You can use this trick to breath life into your story and create dynamic characters.
The Five Commandments of a Scene According to The Story Grid
The five commandments of a scene, as outlined by Shawn Coyne’s revolutionary Story Grid approach, will bring any scene to life. These commandments — Inciting Incident, Turning Point, Crisis, Climax, and Resolution — are the pillars that sustain the drama, tension, and satisfaction in any given scene.
The Scene is the Basic Unit of Story: Part 1
Scenes are the fundamental building blocks that create story. Understanding the essence and structure of a scene is pivotal in creating a compelling narrative that enchants readers. As the basic unit of story, it moves things along and keeps readers turning pages.
Narrative Elixir: Using Alchemical Humors in Creating Characters
Fellow writers, breathe life into your characters using alchemical wisdom. The four humors of alchemy offer a fascinating framework to sculpt characters imbued with diverse and nuanced personality types.
Fitting Writing Around Your Work: Five Steps to Success
How can you manage to get off the ground as a writer when you are saddled with a full-time job? I struggled with this very dilemma for many years. Yes, I’d love to dive headfirst into writing each and every day. But I have this funny habit…I like to eat. So how do we keep food on the table and a roof over our heads, yet still fulfill our passions as writers? The secret to fitting writing around your work lies in shifting some priorities and also shutting down diversions.
Attention Adventure: Achieve Mindfulness and Boost Your Creativity
I suck at meditation. I know it’s the best way to achieve mindfulness and calm my mind, but honestly every time I try it, I just get bored. My thoughts wander and soon I’m thinking about anything but my breathing. Then I stumbled upon Bill Keaggy’s Noticing Workout (he called it Attention Adventure when working with kids, and I like that title better). It’s a method to achieve mindfulness that won’t bore you to pieces. Plus it’s fun.
How Procrastination Can Make You More Productive
In a world buzzing with constant stimulation and digital distractions, it might seem counterintuitive to sing the praises of procrastination. Yet, for creative writers, stepping away from your main project can be a hidden gem, a fertile ground for inspiration, and a powerful tool for honing their craft. Learn how procrastination can make you more productive rather than feeling like wasted time.
