Writers Write on their Stomachs
Tag: Writing
Rise and Shine
The sun struck Ashley’s eyes despite the pok-a-dot blanket she pulled over her head. She’d become accustom to it since sleeping in her twin bed pressed against the west wall of her bedroom. Her reason to get up early as an alarm clock for all those yet to wake, the light crawled along the small … Continue reading Rise and Shine
Discontinuity and Narrative Errors
Your story should be an understandable sequence of events which taken consecutively will lead into one another with factual consistency. This lets your audience digest the information in a familiar manner which makes logical sense. Without this sinew the audience can’t discern what just happened or if what just happened actually happened or matters. Then … Continue reading Discontinuity and Narrative Errors
What to Keep When You Cut
It’s extremely difficult to ascertain this information from reading a book because it’ll be blended into the finished story. It’s also a crushing blow to the junior writer when they fall into this invisible pitfall only realized long after the cuts are made. Then they have to scour distant memories for the little bits they … Continue reading What to Keep When You Cut
What to Cut When Editing Your Story
“Everything that doesn’t advance the plot or reveal characterization.” Now to pat myself on the back and throw my laptop in front of a train. I never liked this shallow advice — as factual and aggravating as it is. Its distillation leaves out nuances in the determination. What’s the proportional focus of your story’s plot … Continue reading What to Cut When Editing Your Story
Adding Your Interests to Your Writing
Intentional or osmosis, plots to fine details, your interests, hobbies, areas of academic study, and every aspect of your life shape your story. Unavoidable, it must be handled with care to gain maximum impact while acknowledging the common pitfalls. I’m writing a long piece about an army officer which is influenced by my interest in … Continue reading Adding Your Interests to Your Writing
Hammer it Home: Repetition and Reinforcement in Stories
I was watching Aladdin with a stomach full of Thanksgiving goodness, light-hearted without the typical wall of criticism that accompanies a writer, and enjoyed the film immensely. If only I could flip that switch without copious saturated fats and the good drink, I’d be a happier human being. What struck me watching the film were … Continue reading Hammer it Home: Repetition and Reinforcement in Stories
Advice and Rules for Technical Prose Or: Writing Advice I Picked Up Reading a Bad Novel
A Demon in Silver by R.S. Ford is, in some grand scope of literature from on high, not the worst book ever written by any stretch; but I laughed my abs stiff reading it. And to the author’s credit (before I savagely bash his work) I am rarely compelled to finish a novel I didn’t … Continue reading Advice and Rules for Technical Prose Or: Writing Advice I Picked Up Reading a Bad Novel
Master Hand’s Multiple Personality Disorder.
The Peaks and Pitfalls of Multiple Character Narration
The Daunting Playground—How to Start a Story
When the mind goblins attack from a blank page. Take heed, read, and retake your self-esteem.
Colin Klawans 