February 2016 – Page 2 – Words & Deeds

February 18, 2016

Continuity, Repetition, & Keeping Track

Writing a long piece or series requires either an excellent memory, a precise organization system, or both (and that goes for novels, movies, comics, blogs, etc.). Otherwise, you’re going to have problems with continuity (but his sword hilt was black in the last book) and repetition (haven’t they had this conversation already?). If any of you think that’s a cakewalk,...

General Thoughts & Updates Comments: 0

February 17, 2016

Plot Uniqueness: The Macro vs. Micro Problem

For all that people say that there are only 2-3 stories, no one wants to be the author who makes people grimace and say that he (or she) writes the same plot over and over again. At the same time, a plot that jumps around completely out of left field can leave the story feeling disconnected and jarring (or just plain bad)....

Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Research & Worldbuilding Comments: 2

February 16, 2016

Plotting & Progress Aren’t Mutually Exclusive

I tend to forget how much I like plotting. The adrenaline rush of figuring out the twists and turns, the superior feeling that comes from tying up loose ends, the thrill of realizing the perfect spot to sneak in a red herring: that’s all forgotten about 2 chapters in. See, once I get into writing the story, plotting starts to...

Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Creative Process Comments: 0

February 15, 2016

The Terror of Romance (Or, at Least, Romanticism)

Maybe it’s all the Valentine’s Day hullabaloo (that’s a technical term), but I keep thinking about romance – romance novels, that is. Like modern romance novels and gothic romances (Romanticism). Imagine those genres next to each other – what a juxtaposition! Look to the left, and you’ll see a story about two people who fall in love and (generally) live happily ever after. Look to...

General Thoughts & Updates/Humor & Wordplay Comments: 0

February 14, 2016

The Breathings of Your Heart: A Quote by William Wordsworth

There is something about poetry that instills meaning in words that shouldn’t make sense. That is the beauty and the power of it.

Inspiration/Quotes, Words, & Phrases Comments: 0

February 13, 2016

Paper Books vs. Digital Books: Which Side Are You On?

When digital books first came out, there was a big uproar. People kept saying that e-books would completely wipe out print copies, and soon everyone would have to have kindles or nooks if they want to read. People still say that to some extent, but the panic of it has dwindled since it’s been a decade or so since kindles...

General Thoughts & Updates Comment: 1

February 12, 2016

Are You a Bibliophile?

I think most writers are major bibliophiles. Seriously, how else would you get into the field in the first place? Although it would make pretty entertaining (and ironic) smalltalk. STRANGER: What do you do for a living? AUTHOR: Oh, I write. STRANGER: Really? That’s interesting. You mean like articles or blogs? AUTHOR: No, books. Fiction. ...

Quotes, Words, & Phrases Comment: 1

February 11, 2016

Why Authors Should Think Twice About Voicing Their Own Audio Books

Not everyone listens to audio books, so not everyone realizes how important it is to have a good voice actor or actress to do the recording. I will be the first to admit that I am pretty picky when it comes to voice acting in general (don’t get me started on bad dubbing); however, audio books don’t have animation to make the audience...

General Thoughts & Updates/Theatre & Film Comments: 0

February 10, 2016

Free Un-copyrighted Reading on Project Gutenberg

If you want access to stuff you can’t find in print, you need un-copyrighted works to use in print, or you just like to read, check out Project Gutenberg. It’s an online library of books, magazines, poems, articles, etc. that are no longer copyrighted. That includes most of the classics as well as works where the copyright wasn’t renewed (for...

Research & Worldbuilding/Reviews & Recommended Reading/Writer Resources Comment: 1

February 9, 2016

There’s No Copyright Infringement if There’s No Copyright

This Joss Whedon quote is pure gold – it’s got everything! Characterization, dialect, and inside jokes for the fans (albeit bittersweet ones). It even uses the art of the unexpected by starting off with a quote from Robert Frost and then veering off in a totally different direction. That’s an allusion, right? Or is it a parody? Or both? Either...

General Thoughts & Updates/Quotes, Words, & Phrases Comments: 0

Monthly Archive: February, 2016