Do you know what one of my greatest challenges as a writer is? Creating good, believable characters. When I began my writing journey, creating characters seemed simple enough. Make up a name. With me it was usually something stupid like “Deacon Devlin.” Then, tell the reader what this person looks like- He had dark hair,
Author: John
I have an interesting historical fact for you. Did you know that two of the most well know artists of all time hated each other? I’m talking about Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. This may not come as a shock to you as artists often feud with one another. Think Tupac and Biggie or Taylor
Recently, I started reading a book called The Hole. I’ve got to say, it gripped me from the first chapter. Talk about hooking your reader, this book grabbed me by the lapels and said, “I dare you not to read me. Needless to say, I decided to do some research on the author. William Meikle
Finding work as a freelance writing can, sometimes, be the hardest part of the job. This list will make that arduous task a little bit easier. But, there are a whole lot of amazing resources for online writers who are looking for work. Curated job boards are a terrific way to find employers looking for
What is Setting? Yes, its the background to your story. It’s the city or the house, or the mystical land where your characters interact, but it’s also much more. The setting is the foundation of your story. It’s what keeps your reader grounded in the fictional world you’ve constructed. So how do we write a
What do you think is the most important element of a story? Some people say the plot. Others say the characters. They’re both wrong. The most important element you need to develope for your story is a theme! So, today we’ll learn how to write a strong theme. Sure stories are meant to entertain us
Some people say the ending is the most important part of a story. I’m inclined to agree. Mess up the ending, and your reader will feel cheated. Like they’ve wasted their time. The greatest premise in the world won’t mean squat if you can’t stick the landing. That’s why we’re talking about how to end
This week I want to talk about anti-heroes. In this morally ambiguous time, it’s no longer popular to write about classic heroes who are purely good and righteous. I mean, where’s the fun in that? Gone are the days of swashbucklers like Ivanhoe and Robin Hood. Even the most recent incarnation of Superman has a
The wonderful thing about the writing community is that there are so many people to look to for inspiration. I mean, you’ve read my writing. I’m in constant need of inspiration, and do you know the kind of writer who inspires me the most? Self-starters, people with a wide-range of talents, people with true vision.
As an aspiring writer, I try to read as often as possible. Sometimes, I’ll read a piece of fiction, or a line or two of dialogue, and think-Wow, I wish I could write like that. This happened to me recently while reading Dan Buri’s Pieces Like Pottery. The book is a sincere exploration of heartbreak,