Settings are very important to me. Most of my love affairs with books and movies tie directly into where the characters lived, laughed, and suffered: Green Gables, Toad Hall, the Nostromo, Braveheart's Scotland. So when it comes to choosing or creating a setting for a project, I put a lot of … [Read more...] about Picking the Right Setting Details
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Worldbuilding & Setting
Every story will have a certain amount of worldbuilding tied to it, and some will have more than others. Crafting a world that feels realistic, layered, and logical, whether it’s part of our own or one made of your imagination, is a crucial element of storytelling. It's important to plan it … [Read more...] about Worldbuilding & Setting
Creating Unforgettable Settings, Part 2: Describing the Setting
Some of this has been covered in previous posts, but I just couldn't talk about good scene-setting and not mention description, 'cause what good is the perfect setting if you can't convey it to the reader? So once you've figured out the right spot for your story, here are a few tips for describing … [Read more...] about Creating Unforgettable Settings, Part 2: Describing the Setting
The Top Three World-Building Pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
By Julie Artz One of my favorite parts of being an obsessive reader is the feeling of picking up a book and instantly being immersed in the world. A few of my favorites include Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, any book by Taylor Jenkins Reid or Kristin Hannah, The Murderbot Diaries by Martha … [Read more...] about The Top Three World-Building Pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
6 Cheats to “Tell” Well (When It’s Warranted)
Most of us are familiar with the “Show, don’t Tell” rule. In short, it’s more effective to dramatize the story than to simply tell what happened. Nonetheless, almost every story needs at least some telling. It can help keep the pacing tight, relay background information, and enhance tone, among … [Read more...] about 6 Cheats to “Tell” Well (When It’s Warranted)
Nods, Smiles, and Frowns: How Can We Avoid “Talking Heads”…and Cliches?
Context is often an underappreciated element of our writing because when not done well, a context-filled passage can become a tell-not-show info dump. However, context is essential for most aspects of writing, from attributing dialogue and establishing stakes to evoking emotions and anchoring … [Read more...] about Nods, Smiles, and Frowns: How Can We Avoid “Talking Heads”…and Cliches?