Writing is my passion. I’ve been at this crazy endeavor since I penned my first “story” about a battle between a chimera and a swordsman (big D&D nut here). But now, decades later, I have a full time job and a family. Oftentimes, my writing time each day is a scant fifteen minutes. But I’m on a mission to change that and maximize writing time.
Tag: writer
Explore Character Roles to Improve Your Novel
When crafting a captivating novel, writers often employ an array of diverse characters. From the compelling protagonist to the formidable antagonist, and even the lesser-known deuteragonist, writers have a list of possible character types. Knowing what role each character serves will help you improve your novel.
Embrace Discomfort: The Path to Writing Success
Us writers yearn for comfort. Yet true growth lies beyond the well-trodden path. Stepping out of your comfort zone to embrace discomfort is an essential aspect of a writer’s journey. Writers can harness the power of being uncomfortable to propel their creativity and achieve their writing goals.
Writing a Compelling Scene Part 2 (The Sequel)
Scenes are the beating heart of any gripping tale, captivating readers with their relentless action and unyielding tension. Yet we writers often neglect the aftermath. When the dust settles, it’s time for the sequel to shine — the final part to writing a compelling scene.
Write Compelling Scenes with Goal, Conflict, Disaster (The Dwight Swain’s Approach)
Picture this, fellow writers: you’re immersed in a writing session, yearning to craft a tale that grips readers with an ironclad hold. Yet the scene falls flat. Enter Dwight V. Swain’s Scene with his goal, conflict, disaster method for building a solid scene. Find out how to infuse your writing with tension, action, and an irresistible forward thrust. Swain’s ideas show you how to write compelling scenes that will truly captivate your readers.
Unleash Your Creativity by Doing the Opposite
Creativity is the lifeblood of artists and writers and we often seek ways to generate fresh, original ideas. Sometimes, however, our gut instincts can lead us in the wrong direction, rehashing concepts that we’ve explored to death. Instead, we can explore uncharted territory by deliberately going against our internal instincts. Doing the opposite of what you plan to do can generate more original ideas.
Writing is Emotion: Jerk Your Readers Around
Right now, ChatGPT is upending all kinds of art and writing. Yet the core of good fiction is the emotion the writer brings to the table. Let’s wait till AI goes through some trauma and then it might be able to write well. Everyone, AI included, can write decent fiction. But to make the story sing, you need to jerk your readers around because writing is emotion.
Target Fixation is a Trap for Writers
As writers, we’re constantly pushing ourselves to get those words on the page. To finish the job. We work ceaselessly for months on end, pursuing the elusive goal of a completed novel. This is target fixation and it’s a phenomenon associated with bike racing and driving that can lead to disaster. Chasing after word counts and pages may accomplish the goal of having a completed manuscript, but is it any good? As it turns out, target fixation is a trap many writers fall victim to.
The Flame of Willpower (Writers Should Embrace Rejection)
Does this sound like a familiar scenario? You start up a new writing project and after a few pages or chapters a new, even better idea comes along. So you shift gears and start work anew. Yet after months or years, you’ve never completed a single thing? This relates to the fourth weapon for writers: willpower. Graphic artist and writer Alan Moore believes that most writers shy away from completion for a simple reason: if you never finish, then you can never be judged. Yet writer should embrace rejection because putting your work out there is the only way to get published.
Weapons for Writers: Compassionate Water
Writer and comic book creator, Alan Moore, has a unique view on writing. He thinks writers should equip themselves with four weapons before trekking into literary battle. Previous posts covered the first two weapons, the sword of discernment and the pentacle of earthly knowledge. His third weapon related to the Tarot suit of cups and the core element of water. He encourages everyone to take up these weapons for writers and fully immerse themselves in the mindset and emotions of their characters, even if those characters are vile and depraved.
