Plot (narrative)
Plot: The combinations of what happens and how these events are revealed to the audience. The order and arrangement create…
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…
Feedback
Ask for feedback The most important things to fix before sending your work to an editor or publisher, is removing…
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…
Setup and Payoff
Setup = A piece of information the reader will need to know in advance to full understand and believe the…
Short Story Guide
800 words = moment in time 1300-2000 words = one concept explored 2000-3000 words = multiple plot lines, strong plot…
Theme
Theme: the hero’s moral choice. Thematic questions are always the very next stop in the outline after figuring out the…
Characterization
Characterization Explicit characterization The author literally tells the audience what a character is like. This may be done via the…
Supportive Characters
Types of Characters Round: Name this character. Let the reader see him and hear him. Give him emotions, thoughts, desires,…
Description
Metaphors and Similes Metaphors beat similes. Similes go like “teeth like a wolf “. It paints a bit of a…
Solving the Floating Heads Dialogue Problem
A scene is not as engaging or dynamic when two (or more) characters do nothing but talk.
The 7 Stages of Character Development
Meaningful events change us in meaningful ways and meaningful changes have consequences. Change occurs in seven stages.*Note: character development/change is…
The Protagonist
The definition (meaning) of protagonist: The leading character or one of the major characters. The advocate or champion of a…