Have you ever read a book and wondered, why did the author include this scene? You think maybe by the end of the book the scene will make sense, but you reach the end and still you’re left puzzled. You can’t put your finger on exactly why, but…
One of the biggest things that distinguishes us as individuals is our habits. They may seem small, but the little mannerisms or behaviors we exhibit unconsciously really make us more unique and human. And the same is true for our characters. Though…
You’re walking home after a long shift waiting tables. Your house is a few blocks away so you feel fairly secure as you wave goodbye to your coworkers as they lock up and yell, “See you tomorrow!” You debate pulling out your headphones and…
You can learn a lot about someone by simply walking into their house or apartment. Picture walking into a very modern house with muted colors and minimal decorations. Not a speck of dust can be found anywhere, but neither can any photos of family or…
Think about a moment when you were growing up and one of your parents did something that stuck with you. It could be when they ran over and cleaned you off when you fell in the mud and started crying. It could be the first time you played catch with…
You feel a rare bout of confidence about a scene you wrote. There’s character development, a big reveal, emotional scene work, and you’re consistently showing not telling. You send it to a friend or family member to check out, excitedly pinned…
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,…
The amount of length and effort between a well-written romance and a lazy one is, quite frankly, astronomical. It would be so easy to just give your reader short and direct updates on what the protagonist and their love interest are feeling…
Just like a fingerprint is utterly unique, so too is a person’s voice. Every person has a different accent, infliction, and diction. Some people say ‘um’ and ‘like’ too much. Some people stutter while others are gruff and firm. Some people…
