Archive

  • Planning Ahead vs. Winging It: A Reflection on Writing Styles

    Planning Ahead vs. Winging It: A Reflection on Writing Styles

    Ever heard the phrase “writing by the seat of your pants?” Some writers have a knack for making up the whole story as they go. They start with no outline and no treatment. They just start writing and end up wherever they may. Improvisation is a special skill and can lead to some truly inspired Read more

  • Why Writers Should Make Their Character Suffer

    Why Writers Should Make Their Character Suffer

    It is my duty as an author to make my characters suffer. I must put them through the wringer, submit them to the lash, and force them to endure severe physical and psychological torment. Nothing must come easy to them. My characters must endure doubts, confrontations, and existential crises. They must be tested to their Read more

  • Villains: Why We Love Such Hateful Scoundrels

    Villains: Why We Love Such Hateful Scoundrels

    Image: Dick Dastardly, doomed to villainy from the day he was named. Wacky Races promotional material, courtesy of Wikipedia, fair use Last week, I talked about antagonists and their importance to a good story. If you read it, you may have noted that I said antagonists are not necessarily villains. Antagonists are just a roadblock Read more

  • Antagonism: The Types of Conflict that Shape a Story

    Antagonism: The Types of Conflict that Shape a Story

    Featured Image: “Black Knight vs Blue Knight” by tinyfroglet is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Funny thing about conflict: We don’t like it in real life, but we pay money to see people who aren’t real suffer. I mean, what good movie or book doesn’t have some sort of conflict at the heart of the story? The rebel Read more

  • Lessons I Learned Writing My First Book, Part 5: Humility

    Lessons I Learned Writing My First Book, Part 5: Humility

    What’s the greatest challenge you face as a writer? The hours of hard work spent crafting your story? Pushing back against writer’s block? Trying to research a key piece of your book that you can’t quite get right? Finding a publisher? Finding the money to publish independently? After all the effort you put into your Read more

  • Lessons I Learned Writing My First Book, Part 4: Patience

    Lessons I Learned Writing My First Book, Part 4: Patience

    Waiting, waiting, waiting. All things come to those who wait, or so they say. It’s a bit glib, isn’t it? Besides, waiting is only half the game. Patience isn’t just about waiting. It’s about focus. It’s about working without complaint. It’s about denying yourself instant gratification in favor of long-term benefits. It’s about enduring the Read more