Author: emtwytte

May 11, 2017

5 Ways to Use Inspirational Speeches in Your Story

Persuasive speeches are such a strong, traditional way to motivate people that they show up not only in life but also in books, movies, musicals, and more. Here are a handful of examples of ways to use inspirational speeches in your story. How Persuasive Speeches Affect Plots It may seem like an inspirational or persuasive speech has an obvious purpose, and from...

Categories Literary Devices & Writing Techniques/Theatre & Film/Videos Comments: 0

May 4, 2017

Henry David Thoreau Quote: The Key to Selling Anything

“I have great faith in a seed… Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.” Wow. To me, this Henry David Thoreau quote summarizes the main idea of selling your work to a publisher or a producer.* Heck, it’s the key to selling anything. And the two key words? “Convince me.” The Seed & the...

Categories Business & Publishing/Quotes, Words, & Phrases Comments: 0

May 2, 2017

A Spring Writing Prompt in 3 Acts

Well, 3 parts. It’s not a play or theatrical piece (or cohesive whole), so “acts” may be a bit of hyperbole. But don’t worry – it’s definitely a spring writing prompt for exercising different skills. 3 Takes on a Writing Prompt for Spring Technically, these are 3 different writing exercises that relate to the idea of Spring. After much debate,...

Categories Holiday & Seasonal/Literary Device Exercises/Writing Prompts Comments: 0

April 27, 2017

10 English Jokes to Lighten Your Thursday

Friday’s almost here, folks! I can’t make it move any faster, but I can share 10 English jokes to lighten your Thursday. Some of these I found, and some I wrote. I’ll let you guess which are which! Examples of Puns & Wordplay for English-lovers (AKA English Jokes) It’s hard to explain puns to kleptomaniacs because they always take things...

Categories Humor & Wordplay Comments: 0

April 25, 2017

Should Lyrics Be Universal or Specific?

Have you seen Moana? Several of my family members have, and we ended up discussing a contradiction we encountered with the music – the music is catchy, but the lyrics aren’t or aren’t as catchy as the music. Mostly because they’re so specific to the story. But is that really a problem? When should lyrics be universal or specific? The Pros...

Categories Poetry/Theatre & Film Comments: 0

April 20, 2017

People Don’t Listen: 7 Dialogue Tropes to Give Them Away

People don’t listen. You know it. I know it. We’ve probably even heard it but didn’t realize because we weren’t listening. And since we’re so familiar with people who don’t listen, using that idea in our stories adds a lot of realism. That makes these 7 dialogue tropes really handy for giving them away. So handy, in fact, that I’m...

Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Humor & Wordplay/Literary Devices & Writing Techniques Comments: 7

April 18, 2017

A Comedy of Thoughts (AKA In Lieu of an Article)

What is a comedy of thoughts? I don’t know. As far as I know, I just made it up. In this case, it’s like a comedy of manners but in your head. Sounds awful, right? Responsibility: Weren’t we supposed to do a post today? Panic: You mean, we didn’t do it? We- Memory: Relax. We did one. Responsibility: We did?...

Categories Humor & Wordplay Comments: 0

April 13, 2017

John Steinbeck Quote: Ideas Are Like Rabbits

You know, this John Steinbeck quote is beautifully simple, straightforward, and true: “Ideas are like rabbits.” Even the imagery and simile of the beginning by itself imply the meaning since rabbits’ reproductive speed is a well-known cultural joke. When it’s expanded into an analogy, it’s patently clear: It’s easy to be overrun by ideas. Simple, right? In fact, I think I already touched on that when I...

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

April 11, 2017

Save the Words! Make Your Own Idioms!

Join the latest conservationist movement: Save the Words! It’s too late for the letter Ethel. It doesn’t have to be too late for literally and nauseous. And you can help these poor words with one simple action – and it’s free. All you have to do is make your own idioms! That and 212 easy payments of $0.99, and you...

Categories Humor & Wordplay Comments: 0

April 11, 2017

For Authors with Books in Kindle and Print: Check out the Storyteller UK Competition

Unfortunately, I’m not ready to take advantage of this opportunity. I am, however, prepared to share it so that you can. You’re welcome. Sorry. Just kidding – I can’t say that seriously in those circumstances without feeling like the R-rated word for jerk. Shizzle, Inc is now back to $2.99USD, and it’s the Storyteller UK competition to blame. That, and partly...

Categories Business & Publishing/General Thoughts & Updates/Writer Resources Comments: 0