Category: Characterization, Plot, & Setting

April 6, 2018

April Fools’ Day Prank Backfire? Practice Plotting.

Did your April Fools’ Day prank backfire? I hope not. But if it did (and you’ve sufficiently recovered from whatever embarrassment and anxiety that resulted), rewind that suffering for review and practice plotting. Plot Inspiration: Why did your April Fools’ prank Backfire? I don’t participate in April Fools’ Day pranks for two reasons: 1. that invites other people to prank...

Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting Comments: 0

November 23, 2017

A Writing Prompt for Villains (and Thanksgiving)

You know that moment when you’re writing something and what you’re writing gives you an idea for something else to write? Well, while writing last year’s “Happy Thanksgiving Writing Prompt,” I couldn’t help but think about how it could be turned into a writing prompt for villains (and Thanksgiving). Seem wrong? Of course it is! It’s villainous! How to Make...

Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Holiday & Seasonal/Writing Prompts Comments: 0

November 7, 2017

Characteristics of Curse Words

Curse words are useful tools for characterization and worldbuilding. Rather than picking or making up curse words at random, however, I find it useful to consider the characteristics of curse words first. What Curse Words Have in Common There are two basic types of curse words: the funny ones that are more socially acceptable and the ones that are more...

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

October 19, 2017

Writing Fall: It’s More Than a Season

When building a world, we need to sprinkle in aspects of our world as well as new creations from reimagining our world. That includes seasons, and since Fall has finally arrived, it’s the perfect time to discuss why writing fall isn’t only leaves and cold breezes – it’s more than a season. Worldbuilding Fall What do I mean by “it’s...

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

October 17, 2017

Quotes about Luck Writers Should Remember

Ideas like “bad luck” and “good luck” are prevalent in every culture. As a writer, you control what type of luck your characters get (Muahahahahaha!), and taking that into account can add realism to your story as well as inspire interesting plot twists. That said, here are 6 quotes about luck writers should remember (or at least try out as...

Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Quotes, Words, & Phrases Comments: 0

October 4, 2017

Characters Get Brain Dead, Too

So far, we’ve talked about how grammar gets worse when you’re brain dead and how to write when you’re brain dead, but what happens when characters get brain dead? If it happens to us, it must happen to them, right? If they’re realistic characters. So what can you expect, and how can you use it to improve your plot? When Characters...

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July 20, 2017

Sense of Urgency Is Like a Splinter

It wasn’t until discussing the either or mentality a few months ago that I realized that I had somehow overlooked talking about sense of urgency (In a writing blog – how is that even possible?). Immediately, I put it on my list for later. Today, later is here, and it comes with a simile: sense of urgency is like a...

Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Literary Devices & Writing Techniques Comments: 3

July 6, 2017

12 Examples of Ending the Either Or Problem with a Third Choice

When I listed different methods for ending the either or problem with a third choice, I didn’t give any examples because, honestly, the article was long enough already. So if you wanted some examples of each type, you’re in luck! Here are 12 examples of ending the either or problem with a third choice. Warning: there may be a lot of spoilers. Examples...

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

June 20, 2017

The Clothing Makes the Character

I’m betting you know the old saying, “The clothing makes the man.” I can’t honestly say what brought it to mind, but for some reason, I started wondering whether it translated for books: “the clothing makes the character.” Is that really true? So I tried applying the idea to some famous examples: Would Drizzt Do’Urden be a different character if...

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May 25, 2017

The Concealed Carry Writing Prompt for Fashionistas

Guns, knives, garrotes, guillotines – some weapons are more easily concealed than others. And unless you want to use the “Where was he hiding that?!” joke, it’s something you want to think about before writing the scene, and the concealed carry writing prompt for fashionistas will walk you through the basic considerations required. Well, required for fiction. I have no...

Categories Characterization Exercises/Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Writing Prompts Comments: 0