Character Sheet
A character sheet is an overview of all your character information. This help you remember all the little details. It…
Point of View
Fiction is usually written in first or third person point of view. First person point of view “I tasted blood.”…
Affective Writing
That’s right. Affective, not effective, writing. This article is about how words make readers feel certain emotions. Sneak these words…
Step 4 – Spellcheck
Check spelling, interpunction etc. Correct Apostrophe Use The apostrophe serves three functions: contraction, plural and possessives. Contraction It’s = it…
Step 3 – Polish Prose
How do you polish prose? You smoothen readability by optimizing word choice, perfecting sentence structure and paragraph rhythms.
Step 2 – Cut
Cut the excess No. 1 cause of bad writing: Verbosity – Using more words than necessary while fewer and/or simpler…
Feedback
Ask for feedback The most important things to fix before sending your work to an editor or publisher, is removing…
Step 1 – Rewrite
Rewrite: reworking elements of the story to make it more immediate and dramatic. For example: adding or cutting characters. Adding…
Suspense
Suspense = uncertainty of outcome to conflicts Swing the pendulum between hope and fear. Tension comes from uncertainty of outcomes….
Conflict
Conflict = Desire / Need + Obstacle Conflict = Fear VS Desire A strong conflict makes the reader feel real…
Foreshadowing
Why should you foreshadow Not only does it create suspense and curiosity, it also allows the reader to participate in…
Sensory Description
The basic human senses are: seeing, hearing, touch, smell and taste. However, don’t forget the many other senses we have,…
Character Description & Emotion
Showing creates mental pictures, it is interactive and participatory because it forces the reader to deduce the facts for himself….
Setup and Payoff
Setup = A piece of information the reader will need to know in advance to full understand and believe the…
Alternatives for ‘said’
Whenever possible, use SAID. Whenever possible, make the dialogue do the work and provide enough context (e.g. with gestures) to…
Pace
The pace should quicken when there is action and suspense, and slow down when there are moments of calm. Controlling…
Short Story Guide
800 words = moment in time 1300-2000 words = one concept explored 2000-3000 words = multiple plot lines, strong plot…
The Opening Scene
The opening lets the reader know what’s going on, who is involved, what their relationships are and what the context…
Flashbacks and Memories
Flashbacks The flash-back golden rule: Memories are not for reminiscing. They serve to navigate the present! Use these to move…
Theme
Theme: the hero’s moral choice. Thematic questions are always the very next stop in the outline after figuring out the…