Mention “NaNoWriMo” to a fellow writer and you’ll get one of two responses. They might just stare at you with raised eyebrows, wondering if your tongue tripped on its way out of bed that morning. More likely, however, their eyes will light up. NaNoWriMo–or National Novel Writing Month–has become the writer’s equivalent of the playoffs. It’s the […]
December 26, 2014 by 51 Comments How to Become an Author13 Necessary Steps to Become a Successful Writer This Year
Didn’t get what you want for the holidays? It’s hard for writers, because our dreams are so big. Figuring out how to become a successful writer is no easy task. We want to touch people, change lives, grab readers’ attention on long snowy weekends–and the truth of the matter is that no one can give […]
October 26, 2014 by 88 Comments CharactersWhy Your Character’s Goal Needs to Be 1 of These 5 Things
Every story comes down to just one thing. Know what it is? Conflict’s a good guess (“no conflict, no story” and all that), but before a story can offer conflict, it has to first offer something else: desire. In short, story is always going to be about a character’s goal. In previous posts, we’ve talked […]
July 2, 2014 by 67 Comments CharactersHow to Tell if Your Protagonist Needs a Better Goal
Did you know your protagonist isn’t as special as you think? Special means unusual or set apart. And amidst all the many awesome characters in your story, your protagonist may well be just one cool dude among many. So why is he the protagonist? Why not your gorgeous love interest? Why not your brainy sidekick? […]
February 23, 2014 by 168 Comments CharactersCreating Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 3: The Thing Your Character Wants vs. The Thing Your Character Needs
The Lie Your Character Believes is the reason for all character arcs. After all, if everything’s hunky-dunky, why change? We might think of the Lie as the cavity in a tooth. Everything might look shiny and white on the outside, but inside there’s decay. If the character is ever to be happy, he’s going to […]
January 1, 2014 by 51 Comments Writing Life10 Easy New Year’s Writing Resolutions!
Put some thought into your writing resolutions for the New Year! This year, I, the writer, resolve to: 1. Write at least twenty minutes every day. 2. Read one writing how-to book every month. 3. Finish the first draft of my work-in-progress. 4. Trade critiques with another writer. 5. Streamline my daily schedule to remove distractions. 6. Figure out five things […]
November 24, 2013 by 50 Comments CharactersHow to Double the Conflict in Your Story for Maximum Impact
If a little conflict is good for your story, then learning how to double the conflict in your story can make it even more gripping. By layering obstacles and consequences, you can create a dynamic plot in which characters must constantly adapt, struggle, and react to ever-escalating stakes. Instead of a straightforward challenge, they face […]
November 13, 2013 by 12 Comments CharactersWhen Two of Your Characters Want the Same Thing
This week’s video talks about how shared goals can either make allies or enemies of your characters. Video Transcript: Here’s a riddle for you: Two of your characters want exactly the same thing. Does this make them enemies or allies? The answer, of course, is both. It totally depends on the unique circumstances in your […]
October 6, 2013 by 53 Comments Most Common Writing MistakesMost Common Writing Mistakes: Characters Who Lack Solid Story Goals
Characters have to want something, right? That’s the whole point of a story. The protagonist wants something; the antagonistic force gets in the way; conflict ensues. Bing, bang, boom. So it’s totally a no-brainer to point out that a book in which a character lacks solid story goals is a book that’s not going to […]
September 20, 2013 by 19 Comments Writing LifeCreating Your Professional Development Plan as a Writer
As genre writers, we’re fortunate to have numerous professional development opportunities available to us—conferences, local chapter workshops, online classes, and more. The topics are so diverse that each whispers its own seductive benefits. So how do you wade through them all? First, you plan. Stop reacting to what’s available and instead spend time assessing your […]
