Every writer’s mission is to pen a story that draws readers in, offering familiarity when it comes to certain genre expectations while also delivering something fresh so to be distinctive and memorable. This is how to cultivate a loyal--and, fingers crossed, rabidly obsessed--reading … [Read more...] about Does Your Story Need a Hit of Organic Conflict? Look to Your Setting.
Search Results for: symbolism
Happy Holidays & Our Favorite Recipes
Angela, Becca and I hope you’re having an amazing holiday season full of family, friends, good food and special memories. We are so grateful for your visits, kind words of support, and trust in us. We love serving the writing community through this blog, One Stop for Writers, books, and … [Read more...] about Happy Holidays & Our Favorite Recipes
“No, Don’t Tell Me”: How & When Should We Use Foreshadowing?
Foreshadowing is a literary technique we can use in our stories that gives a preview or hint of events that will happen later. While many might think of foreshadowing for mysteries, this literary device can be used in any genre. In fact, most stories need foreshadowing of some … [Read more...] about “No, Don’t Tell Me”: How & When Should We Use Foreshadowing?
Game-Changing Creative Tools for New & Advanced Writers
One thing that drives all writers is the desire to create a truly amazing story, one a reader can't put down or forget. It's why we're always learning to deepen our storytelling skills - we want that next book to be our best one yet. But the learning curve can be frustrating, and it's hard … [Read more...] about Game-Changing Creative Tools for New & Advanced Writers
The Urban Setting Thesaurus: Prison Cell
Sourced from The Urban Setting Thesaurus SIGHTSIron bars shiny in places where hands have gripped them, cement walls, furniture that is firmly fastened to the wall or floor, single or bunk beds, a metal locker, a desk and chair, a barred window, thin mattresses and pillows, old sheets, rough … [Read more...] about The Urban Setting Thesaurus: Prison Cell
Themes and Symbols Go Together Like Peas and Carrots
So...symbolism. We’re pretty familiar with this storytelling element, and I’m guessing most of us have experimented with the use of symbols in our writing. In a nutshell, you take an object, word, color, phrase, etc., and apply it in a story to give it a deeper meaning: Tolkien’s one ring (evil) … [Read more...] about Themes and Symbols Go Together Like Peas and Carrots
Use a Character’s Career to Support Your Story’s Theme
Successful stories are often ones whose elements are employed subtly. You may not be able to say exactly why they work, and as a reader, you probably don’t care; you just like the feeling of rightness that settles in as you read. Theme is one of those important elements that are quietly working … [Read more...] about Use a Character’s Career to Support Your Story’s Theme
How Writers Can Turn the Page This Spring
We may write different things, but I'm betting we have something in common - a set-up process. We sit down, favorite writing tools at the ready. Maybe we light a candle, put on a soundtrack, read an inspirational message taped to the monitor or some other ritual, all because we know that certain … [Read more...] about How Writers Can Turn the Page This Spring
Setting Description Mistakes that Weaken a Story
When you think about the key elements of storytelling, characters and plot immediately come to mind, but what about the setting? Do you view it as 1) a vital story component, or 2) just the place where story events happen? If you picked 1, nice job. If you picked 2, no worries. Go here, scroll … [Read more...] about Setting Description Mistakes that Weaken a Story
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Mentor and Protégé
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: Mentor and Protégé
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Giver and Taker
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: Giver and Taker
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Fling
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: Fling