We’re always hearing about subplots. But what exactly are they? And does your story really need subplots? In a nutshell, a subplot is just a miniature plot that features a sideline story. If your story is about an escaped convict who’s trying to prove his innocence, your main plot is going to be his escape, […]
February 17, 2012 by 18 Comments CharactersThree Character Archetypes in Fiction
How do you deeply connect with your readers and yet create unique fiction? How do you write in a way that resounds with people, that speaks into the zeitgeist of the times, but do so without selling out? One of the best ways is through character archetypes. Archetypes are types of characters who appear over […]
November 30, 2011 by Leave a Comment ThemeTips for Creating Thematic Resonance
Because theme often arises organically from a story, without much initial conscious thought on the author’s part, it can sometimes be a tricky aspect for writers to get their heads around. One of the keys to creating a story with deep thematic resonance is choosing subplots that can thematically mirror and reinforce the main plot’s […]
October 16, 2011 by 70 Comments Editing Your Novel5 Fun and Easy Ways to Lengthen Word Count
We see a lot of hype these days about books that are too long for agents or editors to consider. But what about books that are too short, in which we need to lengthen word count? In comparison to putting a too-long manuscript on a diet, fattening up a story often feels like trying to […]
August 17, 2011 by 33 Comments CharactersThe Benefits of a Clueless Character
Often, authors enjoy writing about characters who are larger than life. We write about the kind of people we wish we could be: strong, beautiful, smart—particularly smart. We like our characters to be in the know and always one step ahead of the bad guy. But, in some stories, the most useful kind of protagonist […]
January 12, 2011 by 6 Comments CharactersMaking the Most of Walk-On Characters
Walk-on characters are often the neglected heroes of fiction. If the protagonist didn’t have other people with whom to interact, most stories would quickly fall apart. So, whenever the need arises, we stick in a taxi driver or a receptionist or a bum on the corner. Often, these unnamed characters fulfill the needs of the […]
September 22, 2010 by 32 Comments DialogueWhy Every Protagonist Needs a Dialogue Buddy
Although some successful novels feature lone-wolf characters who face the world and its challenges by themselves, clever authors will sidestep the pitfall of leaving a main character without someone to talk to for the majority of the book. Your protagonist’s fellow conversationalists can be varied and multitudinous over the course of the book—but usually, you’ll […]
August 8, 2010 by 42 Comments Characters5 Steps to Writing Minor Characters That Dazzle
In writing minor characters, authors must provide the color and conflict that fill the protagonist’s worlds. Because minor characters aren’t always confined to the necessities of a character arc or the demands of the plot, they often have the opportunity to be some of the most exciting personalities on the page. In my own stories, […]
April 4, 2010 by 52 Comments Story Settings4 Tips for Choosing the Most Immersive Story Settings
One of the joys of fiction is its ability to transport us to faraway places. Just by cracking the covers of a book, we can visit the far reaches of Bombay or São Paulo and the imaginative wonders of made-up worlds and galaxies. We plan our story settings meticulously, researching details and creating spectacular backdrops. […]
February 7, 2008 by 4 Comments CharactersThe Major Role of Minor Characters
Minor characters can make or break a story just as surely as can a protagonist. I’ve been thinking lately of two decidedly minor characters in two of my works-in-progress. Although both impact the plot in crucial ways, neither is irreplaceable or deserving of more than a handful of scenes. But both of them taught me […]
