Case Study: When Your Concept is Also a Paradox
Some concepts can end up being too much to handle. The more layered and complicated, the greater the upside if handled brilliantly, and the deeper the abyss when it’s not. Trouble is, some writers aren’t aware that they’re already tumbling into a black void. Such concepts — it’s good to recognize them as such, and […]
How to Write a Story: The Creative Process… One Writer’s Take
A guest post by Mike Robinson One small illusion has sold many books, seminars, writer’s retreats, and workshops: the illusion that the process of writing a book is like reading a book. (“If only I were good enough …” or “As soon as I buy one more thing …”) We innocently assume that fiction isn’t […]
Turning Your Novel into a Screenplay, Part 2
A guest post by Art Holcomb To read Part 1, click HERE. We’re talking today about adapting novels into screenplays. Last time, we talked about the basics of the art of adaptation that I use with my students and professional clients. Today, let’s dive right into the meat of the subject – actually writing the […]
Getting Published: “Self” vs. “Traditional”… the “Great Debate”
With all this horse shit, there’s gotta be a pony in here somewhere! (Reputed to have been Ronald Reagan’s favorite joke.) The linked email exchange, introduced here, actually happened. It was edited only slightly, simply to help clarify. (If you’d like to cut right to it, click this to skip my contextual intro: The Great […]
A Tip — and a Short Case Study — for Writing “Voice” Authenticity
Coaching the writing voice — the narrative tone and style and essences that become the telling of the story in sentences and paragraphs and scenes and chapters — is the toughest realm of “talent” to access. And for many, to improve upon. Thing is, sometimes it’s that very thing – your voice – that is […]
Writing Lessons from the BBQ Pit
A guest post by Art Holcomb One of the great things about being a writer is that you can find inspiration anywhere. The world around us and the vibrant nature of our daily lives can give you great insight into your art if you can just see the connections that exist everywhere. As it’s been […]
The Road to Nowhere: One Writer’s Journey Toward Craft
A guest post by Curt Fouts Before you hop in the car for that cool literary road trip you have planned, check your route and your reason for going. I-70 through Kansas? Not exciting, even if you plan on hitting all the tourist traps offering two-headed cows and 500 pound chicken eggs. Larry’s recent posts […]
Nine Billion Reasons You Need to Opt-in to This Webinar
A crazy, outrageous title, I get that. But it’s literal. It’s a math thing, but it should get your attention. I’m presenting a webinar this Thursday, May 22, through Writers Digest University (1:00 EDT). It’s billed as an encore presentation, but it’s actually an enhanced version of a previous webinar I did with WD, called […]
Story Structure… for Television
I’m doubting that many of us write for television. But I’m betting that most of us watch it. As students of story architecture and story physics — that is you, right? — we tend to look for evidence of the principles in play in all of the fiction we consume, a large percentage of which […]
Writing A Publishable Novel: What “Finally Getting It” Really Means
Three Things You Must “Get” Before You Really Get It Writing a great story can be so easy to mess up. Take one thing for granted, miss one step or fail to nail one necessary dramatic essence, and the story will likely be stillborn. Sure, it looks easy enough when you sit down with the […]