Category: Characterization, Plot, & Setting

February 3, 2022

Things to Consider When Writing Snow Storms

Snow storms can be a handy plot device, and if you’re from a snow country, you doubtless know all there is to know about them. This article is less for you and more for people who don’t have a lot of experience with serious snow. It’s not all the details, but it covers enough things to consider when writing snow...

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January 27, 2022

6 Ways Dialogue Reveals Characterization

In truth, there are infinite ways dialogue reveals characterization, but, for the sake of article, I’m going to cover some of the most common and useful ones. Building Characterization through Dialogue Dialect Let’s get the obvious out of the way and talk about dialects or accents (don’t get nitpicky with me now, linguists). Dialogue is a wonderful way to establish...

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December 23, 2021

When the Plot Doesn’t Matter

What? Is that ever true? Yes, actually. There are times when the plot doesn’t matter because it isn’t the main reason for reading or watching. Shows & Books Where the Plot Isn’t Important Ok, yes, they all have plots; however, the plots are very predictable, very simple, or “a series of unfortunate events.” In fact in some of these examples,...

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

August 19, 2021

What If You Find a Plot Hole as You’re Writing the Book?

What do you do if you find a plot hole as you’re writing the book? Right when you’re in the middle of it or even rounding third and heading for home? Well, you curse a lot. Or maybe that’s just me. Then, you have two choices: Leave it. Fix it. Honestly, option 1 hurts my soul and makes me twitchy....

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July 29, 2021

Living with Disability: 8 Aspects You Never Thought Of

For those who don’t have a disability or don’t spend much time with anyone who does, it’s hard to get a good grasp of what living with disability is like. Which means it’s also hard to portray it realistically in your writing. Now, you’re not going to get a full picture from one blog article, but I can introduce you...

Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Writer Resources Comments: 0

July 22, 2021

Deus Ex Machina: Past & Present

As a plot device, deus ex machina has a pretty bad rap (lazy, unimaginative, etc.), and yet, somehow, it continues to be widely used (maybe because plotting is hard). What I find most interesting, though, is how it’s changed from its origin to now. The Evolution of Deus Ex Machina Where Did Deus Ex Machina Come From? You may have...

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June 3, 2021

How Overthinking Works & 3 Ways to Use Overthinking in Your Writing

Thinking too much, overthinking spiral, loaded down with self-doubts – whatever you call it, overthinking is so common there are even comics about it now. So let’s talk about how overthinking works and ways you can use it in your writing. How Overthinking Works The key to a believable overthinking spiral is self-doubt and thought distortions (especially catastrophic thinking). The...

Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Humor & Wordplay Comments: 0

April 29, 2021

Strange Planet’s Brilliant Use of Dialogue for Characterization

I’ve talked about characterization through dialogue before, but when I come across a great example, I have to share. And Strange Planet is a great example of how to use dialogue for characterization (and humor, as well). What Is Strange Planet? If you haven’t heard of it, Strange Planet is a comic about aliens. It features similar or parallel experiences...

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April 1, 2021

What Makes People Change Their Minds?

Courtesy of the political and sociological atmosphere of the last few years, I’ve been contemplating what makes people change their minds – and what doesn’t. What Can Change Someone’s Opinion? As a human being, the answer to this matters because, sometimes, we want to change someone’s opinion (Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!). I’m sure you’ve run into this wall in real...

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December 14, 2020

Writing Believable Catastrophic Stories: Tips & Troubles

As I watch the behavior of people over the past few months, the problem of writing believable catastrophic stories keeps circling in my head. Like a pack of shoppers circling the empty toilet paper aisle. So far, I’ve thought of options that might help, but I keep coming back to one conclusion: it won’t be easy. Will Today’s Reactions Be...

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