The face is the first thing we notice in real life, and the focal point during any conversation. We connect to a person’s gaze, paying attention to how their eyes widen, squint, focus inward or dart. We also watch their mouth, noting lip presses, teeth flashes, frowns, smiles and pursed lips. … [Read more...] about Showing Emotion: Moving Beyond The Face
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Tips When Writing Multiple POV Novels
Today YA author Lisa Gail Green is here to offer some thoughts on writing multiple POVs. This is a route some authors go, but handling more than one protagonist is not easy. Lisa's latest novel features dual POVs, so the lessons she learned are fresh in her mind. Please read on!When starting a new … [Read more...] about Tips When Writing Multiple POV Novels
The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Stress and Volatility
Release date: May 13th, 2024 Welcome to the 2nd edition of Emotion Amplifiers—expanded and updated! Characters who are in control of their emotions rarely slip up, which makes for boring reading. To avoid that pitfall, channel your dark side and introduce stress that will make it harder for … [Read more...] about The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Stress and Volatility
Pacing Tips
I’d like to start this post by stating an opinion that I think pretty much everyone shares: Pacing Sucks. When you get it right, no one really notices. I mean, how many times have you read a 5-star review that went on and on about the awesome pacing? On the other hand, when the pacing’s off, it’s … [Read more...] about Pacing Tips
Pulse on Pacing: How Smooth Transitions Keep Your Story Moving
Writing itself is change, and within story structure, transitions are key to keeping things moving. It isn't just about getting your character from scene to scene, it's also is about communicating ideas and making sure there's a smooth flow from one piece of information to the next. Without … [Read more...] about Pulse on Pacing: How Smooth Transitions Keep Your Story Moving
Story Midpoint & Mirror Moment: Using Heroes’ Emotions To Transform Them
I recently read a Huff Post psychology piece on Turning Negative Emotions Into Your Greatest Advantage and immediately saw how this could also apply to our characters. Feel free to follow the link and read, but if you’re short on time, the rundown is this: negative emotions are not all bad. In fact, … [Read more...] about Story Midpoint & Mirror Moment: Using Heroes’ Emotions To Transform Them
Lessons From James Scott Bell: Characters That Jump Off The Page
A week (ish) ago, I had the pleasure of attending a workshop with bestselling author and writing coach, James Scott Bell. It was a fantastic day of learning how to look deep inside our characters to understand what made them tick, and how structure can lay the framework for a compelling internal … [Read more...] about Lessons From James Scott Bell: Characters That Jump Off The Page
What Killed It For Me #4: Clichéd Characters
It's hard to come up with characters who are believable yet don't sound like every other character out there. It's especially easy to fall into this trap with certain archetypes, like witty sidekicks or wise old mentors. Unfortunately, a recent book that I started had a whole cast of clichés: the … [Read more...] about What Killed It For Me #4: Clichéd Characters
Recommended Writing Books
Great Writing Guides Are Gold. Some of Our Favorites... Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story (K.M. Weiland) (Affiliate link) This is a blueprint of the 3-act structure and all the important milestones to hit like the inciting incident, catalyst, the … [Read more...] about Recommended Writing Books
Understanding Character Wounds: A List Of Common Themes
Characters are the heart of a novel, and within that heart is the Hero’s Inner Journey. The protagonist’s path is much like yours or mine--one that will (hopefully) bring him closer to lifelong happiness and fulfillment. In real life, people strive to become something more, to be something … [Read more...] about Understanding Character Wounds: A List Of Common Themes
8 Tips to Get Your Manuscript to the Finish Line
How many of you have "shiny syndrome?" You know, when you start writing a novel but are derailed the second a new idea blooms in your brain. Or you become hobbled by the dreaded "isuckitis" as your Internal Editor yammers on about how terrible your writing is. (I hate that guy myself. I say shove IE … [Read more...] about 8 Tips to Get Your Manuscript to the Finish Line
To MFA or Not to MFA: That is the Question
If you've ever considered getting a Masters of Fine Arts to help with your writing, we've got a treat for you today. Marissa Graff visited awhile back, sharing info about her first semester in the MFA program at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Now she's back to let us know how the second semester … [Read more...] about To MFA or Not to MFA: That is the Question