A plot point involves an event that directly impacts what happens next in your story. It’s a common mistake for writers to misunderstand both what a plot point involves and how to communicate it to their readers. Rather than try to tell your…
One common misconception about writing is that action scenes are easy. You only need to focus on action, you don’t need to worry about character arc, plot, dialogue, and many other storytelling devices that you have to keep in mind while writing…
Not only do animal characters serve as a great exercise in showing rather than telling, but they can be used in a story for many purposes. They can highlight certain…
Anyone who has seen even one of the Hallmark Christmas movies knows the formula. A busy businesswoman in her thirties is going home for Christmas for the first time in a while. She’s dreading the visit because she’s so busy and can’t be…
It’s essential that writers are extremely selective about showing their work in its early stages. It can be tough enough enduring criticism regarding something you’ve poured your heart and soul into. When you open yourself up to hurt, therefore,…
Every writer- whether seasoned or brand new, whether old or young, whether on the Eastern or Western hemispheres of the planet- has heard these famous six words, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” These words are said to have been written by…
Book Hangover (noun): a temporary depression caused when one has completed a particularly amazing book or book series and is forced to accept that it is over. Symptoms may include denial, crying, depression, and a book slump (a long stretch of time…
[sam_pro id=1_11 codes=”true”] BOOM! POW! SLAP! Reading a comic book is like reading a movie. You hear the words and their accompanying sounds, you see the scenes in vivid colors, you (the director) get to point your camera at various angles and…
We’re sure you’ve heard the expression which came first, the chicken or the egg? When it comes to writing, the chicken is the character and the egg is the plot. And, though novice writers may treat it like a riddle, there is a clear answer:…
All writers know that moment- that gorgeous ‘aha’ moment when a fantastic idea comes their way. We all know that hurried way we reach to our notebooks (or even our phones) and vigorously jot down everything we can before it slips away. And we…
