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
Search Results for: symbolism
Show-Don’t-Tell Help
Show-Don't-Tell is one of the most common pieces of advice...so common that many writers get sick of hearing about it: Yeah, yeah, show, don't tell. I got it, I got it. (But if it was easy to 'get' then editors, agents, and critique partners probably wouldn't red pen those three words so often, … [Read more...] about Show-Don’t-Tell Help
Other Story Elements
We know that when it comes to a writer giving out the coveted red rose, plot and character are first to receive one. But guess what? Alone, they won't get very far. A great story is a team effort, so let's look at other key storytelling elements needed for our book to earn a spot on the … [Read more...] about Other Story Elements
Characters
Characters are not part of the story...they are the story. Readers have a lot of choice when it comes to books, and they are looking to spend time with characters who remind them of themselves in a meaningful way. Even if a character is larger-than-life, they should act as a mirror, making … [Read more...] about Characters
Relationship Thesaurus: Bully and Victim
Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it's important to craft them carefully. But characters don't usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they'll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus: Bully and Victim
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Acquaintances
Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it's important to craft them carefully. But characters don't usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they'll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Acquaintances
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Godparent and Child
Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it's important to craft them carefully. But characters don't usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they'll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Godparent and Child
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Guard and Prisoner
Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it's important to craft them carefully. But characters don't usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they'll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Guard and Prisoner
11 Techniques for Transforming Clichéd Phrasings
One of the things that pumps me up the most when I’m reading a book is when the author phrases things in a way I’ve never seen before. It could be a familiar concept or image—red hair, an urban street, fear—but when it’s written differently, I’m able to visualize that thing in a new way, as if I’m … [Read more...] about 11 Techniques for Transforming Clichéd Phrasings
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Teacher and Student
Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it's important to craft them carefully. But characters don't usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they'll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Teacher and Student
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Business Partners
Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it's important to craft them carefully. But characters don't usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they'll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Business Partners
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Exes
Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it's important to craft them carefully. But characters don't usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they'll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Exes