Unique – Words & Deeds

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

November 23, 2015

Suffering Aside, Write

I don’t know when it started, but there is this idea in the arts that you can’t be a truly good or legitimate writer/painter/musician/whatever unless you’ve suffered in your life (“suffered for your art”). The idea is that you have to experience life first-hand before you can express it in a powerful or true way. Eh. Like most generalizations, this...

General Thoughts & Updates Comments: 2

November 17, 2015

Writing Prompts: This Guy Knows How To Think Up Unique Ideas

Need some writing prompts? These’ll alternately hurt your brain or your abs. I think my favorite part is how they manage to simultaneously challenge and mock the potential writer. It’s a little like being given the bird by a writing prompt… “Thirteen Writing Prompts” by Dan Wiencek Write a scene showing a man and a woman arguing over the man’s friendship with...

Humor & Wordplay/Writing Prompts Comments: 0

November 17, 2015

Starting Stories Before You Know What They Are

What do you do if you need to write a story, but you don’t have any ideas for a story? Yeah, that sounds a little silly (kind of like putting the cart before the horse). Sometimes, however, you decide to submit something to a contest, a magazine, etc. You look up the requirements and learn about the genre(s) and word count range...

Creative Process/Inspiration Comments: 0

October 24, 2015

Schrödinger’s Setting

You’ve probably all heard of Schrödinger’s cat, a thought experiment that has become a widespread internet meme. To summarize, the cat is simultaneously considered alive and dead until someone can be bothered to open the box. Now, about Schrödinger’s setting. I’m sure you all know what the setting is. ALL: [In a monotone chorus] Where and when the story takes place. Technically,...