POV Supports Your Emotional Distance
In the second of a three part series for Writer's Digest, Sharon Short says your character's emotional connection to what's happening in your story...
Is the MRU Right for You?
In a post on Writers in the Storm, Lynnette Burrows introduces a technique for creating scenes called the MRU: the motivation-reaction unit. Structuring your...
Personal Stakes Matter More
In a guest post on Writers Helping Writers, Jami Gold examines the film Everything Everywhere All at Once to find three lessons for making...
On a Scale of 1-9, Who is Your Character?
Need some inspiration for creating a new character? In a post on DIY MFA, Mary Adkins suggests using the Enneagram. Adkins suggests three ways:
...
Does Your First Line Have a Bang?
In a post on Writers in the Storm, Ellen Buikema says opening lines are a lot of work, but the right one will hook...
Building Trust with an Unreliable Narrator
During an interview with the DIY MFA podcast, Scott Gates discusses his novel, Gone, the Redeemer. During the episode, they discuss:
Truth in a...
Is Your Story Wandering? Try a Confined Timeframe
In a post on Lit Hub, Tom Perrotta offers advice for keeping your story's momentum going.
In Perrotta's case, his own first novel was rejected...
Weaving Inner and Outer Challenges Creates Strong Characters
In a post on Writer Unboxed, David Corbett discusses how to layer your protagonist's challenges: internal, external, and interpersonal. "At some point as you’re planning...
The Purpose of Multi-Generational Fiction
In an article for Writer's Digest, Robin Lee Hatcher offers advice on writing multi-generational fiction. "Different methods may be used to tell dual-time stories (alternating...
Who Belongs in Your Ensemble?
Continuing their series on fictional ensembles, the Writing Excuses hosts talk about how genre influences the structure of your cast. How is a heist...
