Author: emtwytte

December 6, 2016

How Crimes Change over Time

If you read “Crime, Punishment, & Worldbuilding,” then you already know my thoughts on how useful it is to think about legal systems when it comes to realistic worldbuilding. I also briefly mentioned that crimes change over time, but in your story, that really only matters in one of three cases: 1. the story is set in a period of unrest (A.K.A. social change), 2....

Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Research & Worldbuilding Comments: 0

December 1, 2016

True Alchemists Do Not Change Lead into Gold Unless They’re Using Old Pencils

I want to be a true alchemist when I grow up. Not that I’ll ever grow up, but there’s something inspiring about thinking of writing as alchemy (especially if you like FullMetal Alchemist). Not only because of the transformation aspect – although having the scientific knowledge and/or mystical ability to change lead into gold is appealing, especially applied to writing....

Categories Creative Process/Inspiration/Quotes, Words, & Phrases Comments: 0

November 29, 2016

Health Insurance and Legalese as Plot Conflicts

As the year ends, and many of us are faced with choosing our insurance for the following  year, I am reminded of just how stupidly complicated and full of jargon the health insurance industry truly is. Last year, I spent several weeks explaining parts of it to a coworker (deductible, out-of-pocket max, etc.) because if you haven’t had any training...

Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting Comments: 0

November 24, 2016

A Happy Thanksgiving Writing Prompt

If you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, you probably aren’t used to people asking you what you’re thankful for every single November. If you do celebrate Thanksgiving, you’re probably sick of it. But if you step outside the holiday mentality (and put the mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and Black Friday ads down for a moment), I’m sure you can see how turning that...

Categories Characterization Exercises/Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Holiday & Seasonal/Writing Prompts Comment: 1

November 22, 2016

When Realism Attempts Backfire

We want our stories to feel real. We try to research enough to get the big details right, and sometimes, we try go further. We try to salt the entire story with traditions and jargon and research that makes it seem even more real. And there’s nothing wrong with that – except when we’re writing about something we know nothing about. When we...

Categories Research & Worldbuilding Comments: 0

November 17, 2016

The Either Or Mentality as a Plot Device

From the typical image of your future as a fork in the road to dating options or even politics (Sorry. Too soon.), humans have a very strong tendency to lock themselves into an either or mindset. Either I can do this, or I can do that. While that’s generally a habit I’d recommend avoiding in real life (when possible), its popularity means that...

Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting Comments: 3

November 15, 2016

5 Most Overlooked Resources for Worldbuilding Research

When you’re worldbuilding, you want to make the world you’re creating feel both realistic and new. That means you need elements that feel familiar and elements that are unexpected (especially if your story is fantasy or science fiction). Research is useful for the new aspects and absolutely vital for giving an impression of realism. Besides the library and the internet in general...

Categories Research & Worldbuilding Comments: 0

November 11, 2016

Happy Veterans Day Poem from twytte!

Happy Veterans Day poem from twytte. Today, we salute all who served.

Categories General Thoughts & Updates/Poetry Comments: 0

November 10, 2016

So Long as Ignorance and Misery Remain on Earth: A Victor Hugo Quote

This Victor Hugo quote from the preface of Les Miserables is one of my favorite quotes of all time. The meaning, word choices, and rhythm – the way it builds – it has a power that sticks with you. It’s stuck with me since the very first time I read it. Here is the full text in case it was too hard to read...

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

November 8, 2016

Mad Lib Theater with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jimmy Fallon: Genius

I don’t know about you, but growing up, Mad Libs were one of my favorite school games. Maybe that’s why I like making my own Mad Lib-style versions of famous works (Like Romeo & Juliet Performed by an Actor with Malapropism Problems, Malapropism & Robert Frost, and Malapropisms in Wonderland), but then, of course, I love words – so I like most...

Categories Humor & Wordplay/Videos Comments: 0