Listen to this post or others on Spotify or Anchor.fm I’ve talked previously about how to structure a scene. The beginning, or entre, should start as close to the moment the POV character starts pursuing their scene goal. But when exactly is that? And how do you decide whether to start with narrative, like describingContinueContinue reading “Scene building: beginnings”
Tag Archives: writing
Setting: That can’t happen here
A discussion of why setting matters in fiction Do you have any idea where any of these stories takes place? Asking these questions about a blurb, you can see how important setting is to fiction. With the exception of the last one, retreating to a beach house, there’s very little about setting in any ofContinueContinue reading “Setting: That can’t happen here”
Describing character: gain perspective
Listen to this post and more on Spotify or Anchor.fm You, dear writer, have all those wonderful character sheets filled out with demographics: Jamie Dotter is, 29, 5’11”, blonde, Nordic features, muscular build, college degree from Wellsley College, law degree from Harvard, in her fourth year working as a lawyer with Grant, Hardy, and Iglesias,ContinueContinue reading “Describing character: gain perspective”
Scene building using goals
Listen to this blog on Spotify. I previously discussed the structure of a scene is based around conflict and overcoming it. But conflict and obstacles comes in many forms. They can be as simple as encountering a child’s fallen toy on the floor while crossing the room. What really guides the scene and makes itContinueContinue reading “Scene building using goals”
Structuring a Scene
Listen to this blog post on Spotify. The scene is the basic building block of any story. It contains actions and reactions, and dialogue (inner and outer). A scene has ONE point of view, and takes place (with few exceptions) while the POV character moves within a single setting. On TikTok, I posted an overviewContinueContinue reading “Structuring a Scene”
TikTok Tips
I have launched a TikTok for 2023. I plan to share pithy 2-3 minute tips about writing or editing fiction. My first video is a remastered clip from a 2021 workshop, encouraging writers to write first, market later. @lz_editsfl For my first video, a PSA from #editor to #writer: write YOUR story #writeItDown ♬ originalContinueContinue reading “TikTok Tips”
Past vs Present tense
This is a post about tense. There’s a rising prevalence of first person, present tense stories, and I wanted to see if it was just my perception or if more people were writing in present tense. So, on Mastodon, I started a poll – the thread that followed was also very informative. Photo by PixabayContinueContinue reading “Past vs Present tense”
One a day keeps the goal in play
Spotify recording of this post can be listened to here. This is a bonus wrap-up of my NaNoWriMo 2022 posts covering ideas for maintaining a pace to achieve your goal. Listen to this blog on Spotify Photo by Dom J on Pexels.com If you write every day in November, the pace necessary to reach 50kContinueContinue reading “One a day keeps the goal in play”
Stop asking WWYD
WWYD (“What would you do?”) is a common question in writing groups. It happens when an author reaches an impasse in the story for the character’s actions. So often it comes across like a popularity contest: I’ll have the character do whatever most of them say they’ll do, and that will make my story popular.ContinueContinue reading “Stop asking WWYD”
Advice for when writers struggle
Writer’s block. Some say it exists. Some say it doesn’t; it’s all in your head. Pointedly, both sides are right. Everything about story writing is in your head. Until it moves to your fingers to the rhythm of a swishing pen, or the clickety-clack of keys on a keyboard. Author Peggy Lantz posted about herContinueContinue reading “Advice for when writers struggle”
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