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Vibrant Alternatives for Movement Verbs
Writing a novel involves more than just crafting a compelling story. The language you use plays a critical role in engaging your reader and enriching your narrative. A common pitfall for many writers is the repetitive use of verbs like “go” or “went.” To help you diversify your vocabulary and add depth to your writing, here are some dynamic alternatives:
Travel
Perfect for describing journeys, whether they are short trips or long voyages. It adds a sense of adventure to your narrative.
Move
This versatile verb can be used for physical movement from one location to another, adding a general sense of action.
Proceed
Ideal for continuing action in a story, especially when moving towards a specific aim or along a set path.
Advance
Use this when you want to evoke progress or forward movement, adding a dynamic layer to your storytelling.
Specific Movements: Walk, Run, Jog, Dash
Each of these offers a clear picture of the speed and style of movement, allowing you to create more vivid scenes.
Modes of Transport: Drive, Ride, Fly, Sail
When characters use vehicles or animals to move, these verbs can specify the mode of transportation, enhancing clarity and immersion.
Depart
This implies leaving a place with purpose, which can be particularly useful in scenes of separation or transition.
Head
A casual yet descriptive way to indicate direction, often used in spoken language within dialogues.
Journey
For a grander scale of travel, “journey” implies a significant undertaking, enriching the narrative with a sense of scale and importance.
Wander
To wander is to move without a fixed path. It’s great for scenes where characters are exploring or lost.
Migrate
Useful in stories involving large-scale movements or seasonal changes, especially in historical or environmental contexts.
Meander
When you want to describe a leisurely or aimless path, “meander” evokes a gentle, wandering pace.
Trek
This suggests a challenging and lengthy travel, often on foot, perfect for adventure or survival stories.
Roam
To roam means to move freely, ideal for characters that are free-spirited or in expansive settings.
Leisurely Paces: Stroll, Saunter, Amble, Perambulate
Each of these terms paints a picture of a calm, relaxed walk, adding a poetic touch to your scenes.
Using these verbs can transform your narrative from mundane to vivid, providing your readers with a clearer image of your characters’ actions and settings. Don’t hesitate to experiment with these alternatives to find the perfect fit for your story’s tone and pace.
Happy Writing!
For more fun content, visit our Slaying Fiction website!
#writing#writer#fiction#novel writing#writeblr#writing advice#tumblr writers#writing community#writing tips#creative writing#slaying fiction#verbs#writing reference#writers on tumblr
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How do I plot a romance story?
Most advice and plot structures I have found seem to be focused on quest-type stories. Do you have any advice or templates that are mpre easily applicable to romance stories? Do I need to include another major plotline?
Basic Romance Structure
Like most stories, there are different theories and methods about structure, and you can find these by Googling "romance story structure." However, let me walk you through a basic romance structure to show you the differences and similarities with the kind of structure you'd use for something like a quest story or an adventure story.
Introduction/Normal World - Like most stories, romance stories usually open with a peek at the protagonist's "normal world" as a means of introducing who they are and what their life is like. And, as with other stories, this also introduces us to the both characters' internal conflicts. In romance, rather than resolving the internal conflict with growth in relation to the story events, the internal conflict will be resolved via change/growth in relation to the romance. [Example: Sandi is a florist with a four-year-old daughter, navigating single parenthood after her husband filed for divorce and ran away to chase a dream.]
The "Meet Cute" - This is essentially the inciting incident... the moment the two characters meet for the first time, or the first time in a long time. All in one moment, we see how undeniably right they are for each other, but due to their individual internal internal conflicts, they're butting heads big time.
[Example: Sandi meets Brent, the new flower supplier who is adorable, sweet to Sandi's daughter, but infuriatingly inept at doing things the way she likes them.]
Forced Proximity - After the "meet cute," something will inevitably force them to spend time together. They get partnered together on the same job, stuck together in the same place, keep coincidentally bumping into each other... whatever. All that matters is that they're forced to get to know each other despite their head butting.
[Example: they get roped into working together on the town's rose festival.]
Resistance/Rejection - Now that they're forced to interact for whatever reason, they're going to spend a lot of time resisting their mutual interest/desire for one another due to whatever obstacles exist, like being from warring factions or one being in the middle of a divorce. But despite this resistance, we can see the sparks flying between them, even if they can't or don't want to admit it.
[Example: Sandi wants to focus on running her business and raising her daughter; Brent just got out of a long relationship and isn't ready for romance.]
Waning Resistance/Giving Love a Chance - Eventually there's a breakthrough... the obstacle gives way... they have a really fun time hanging out at the Christmas market and almost kiss... they move past the misunderstanding between them... or maybe they just slowly get over their issues and start to fall in love. Either way, they decide to give the relationship a go.
[Example: as they get to know each other and bond through working on the rose festival, they can't deny how compatible they are and an unexpected first kiss gives Brent the courage to ask Sandi out on a date, to which she agrees.]
Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back - This is essentially the first date, then another one, then another one... though it doesn't have to be actual dates. It just needs to be some interactive scenes when they're in relationship mode. Each of these interactions will deepen their feelings for one another while at the same time raising new obstacles or re-raising the old ones.
[Example: the first date goes well except that Sandi is preoccupied with the fact that her daughter is staying with a new sitter. The second date goes okay, except Brent is in a bad mood after his ex came to town to pick up the last of her things. Then they pull an all-nighter to make some final preparations for the upcoming rose festival, which leads to a philosophical conversation about the future, wherein Sandi says she sees herself getting remarried one day and having another kid or two, and Brent says he can't ever see himself getting married or being a father.]
This Isn't Going to Work - This is the midpoint crisis... the "all is lost" moment where one or both put on brakes and say, "I can't do this," citing whatever obstacle/s that now stand in the way of their happiness. Sometimes this follows their biggest act of intimacy yet, whether that's simply their first kiss or going all the way. It could even be the first declaration of love, being introduced to family, or some other important early relationship milestone. But then it all falls apart... maybe because one or more of the obstacles become too much, a fear-based retreat, or some other external force
[Example: the rose festival has arrived... Sandi is there with her daughter and parents, Brent is there with his mom and sister. Everyone meets, Brent continues to be great with Sandi's daughter... it's obvious Brent and Sandi belong together. But then Sandi's wayward not-yet-officially-ex-husband shows up and wants to get back together. Although she's ambivalent, seeing him interact with their daughter and her parents makes her realize giving him another chance is what's best for their daughter. Meanwhile, Brent witnesses this from far away, thinks, "I'm not good enough for a family like that," and he and Sandi go their separate ways.]
On Second Thought... - This is the moment when something happens that makes one or both characters realize they belong together... that the obstacles aren't real or don't matter... [Example: Brent finds a drawing Sandi's daughter made of the three of them together that makes him realize he really is worthy of their love. And Sandi sees that her husband hasn't changed, that he's still focused on chasing dreams that aren't what's best for their daughter... or herself, for that matter. ]
The Moment of Declaration - This is where the one character finds the other, or they find each other, and one or both declare their love and commitment to the other, despite whatever obstacles there may be. This is the run through the airport to catch the other before they fly away to a new life. It's the objection at the wedding before the other can go forward with the less-than-ideal marriage. It's the boombox on the shoulders, the kiss in the rain, the "I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on" declaration in a foggy field at sunrise. [Example: Brent hears from a friend that Sandi's husband left again. He goes to the last night of the rose festival, finds Sandi, and tells her he wants all of it... her, the daughter, her quirky parents, the flower shop, marriage, more kids... he is ready to take on the world with her, and she couldn't be happier.]
The Happily Ever After or "HEA" - This is the story's denouement, where we flash forward a few days, weeks, or more and see the happy ending. This is the jump ahead a few months to see the happy couple living their lives together, the one year leap ahead to the wedding, or a leap ahead to a moment even further down the road when the couple is firmly established in their HEA.
[Example: two years later, Sandi and Brent have been married almost a year, and are at the rose festival with the now six-year-old and their newborn twins, Sandi's parents, and Brent's mom and sister, one big happy family.]
Now... like I said, there are a variety of different structure templates for romance as there are for other genre stories. Don't feel like you have to pick one, and if you do, don't feel like you have to stick to it exactly. Story structure is just a guideline to help make sure you hit the important points to help the story unfold.
Happy writing!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I’ve been writing seriously for over 30 years and love to share what I’ve learned. Have a writing question? My inbox is always open!
LEARN MORE about WQA
SEE MY ask policies
VISIT MY Master List of Top Posts
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Congratulations 🎉
Hi everyone,
We wanted to send out our congratulations to one of our editors, Danielle, who was just accepted into a masters program for creative writing! 🥳🥳🥳
We can’t wait to see her career progress, not to mention all the new things she will learn and be able to share with us all!
We are so proud of you, and can’t wait to see what the future brings. We know you’re going to do great.
Hopefully one day we can start offering publishing services and share her stories (and many others) with the world.
Yay for more books and writers in the world! 📚🖋️
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NOTE: Although I am a government-certified flight instructor, nothing I say on this blog constitutes flight instruction.
THIS BLOG IS FOR WRITING ADVICE AND BASIC EXPLANATIONS ONLY - I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT YOU DO WITH THE INFORMATION I GIVE YOU!
YOU WILL DIE IF YOU TRY TO FLY A PLANE WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING
Hello!
My name is Azuko, and outside of tumblr, I'm a flight instructor!
What motivated me to create this blog was seeing rampant misconceptions and inaccuracies about aviation and air travel in various fics and pieces of media.
So, given that I get paid to teach people to fly, I figured it could be fun to make a tumblr blog where I ramble about flying and provide advice for writing accurate situations involving airplanes.
My area of expertise is fixed-wing light aircraft, but being a flight instructor, it is my job to know how to find appropriate sources for information about any aircraft or topic related to flight safety.
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Mastering the Art of Dialogue
Dialogue is the lifeline of any narrative. It brings characters to life, propels the plot, and creates depth in the story. However, writing dialogue that feels real and engaging can be challenging. Here are some tips to help you refine your dialogue-writing skills:
1. Listen to Real Conversations
The foundation of great dialogue is authenticity. Spend time listening to how people speak in real life. Notice the flow of conversation, the interruptions, the ums and ahs, and the unfinished thoughts. Real speech is rarely grammatically perfect or fully articulated. Incorporating these nuances can make your dialogue more relatable.
2. Each Character Should Have a Unique Voice
Your characters should be distinguishable by their dialogue alone. A teenager will speak differently from an elderly person; a doctor will use different terminology than a street artist. Think about their background, education, and personality. These factors should influence their speech patterns, vocabulary, and even the rhythm of their dialogue.
3. Use Dialogue to Show, Not Tell
Dialogue is a powerful tool for showing the reader what’s happening without explicitly telling them. Through conversations, you can reveal your characters' thoughts, feelings, and intentions. For example, instead of narrating that a character is nervous, you could show it through their stammering dialogue or their avoidance of direct answers.
4. Keep It Concise
In real conversations, people often meander through their thoughts. In written dialogue, however, it's important to be concise. Every line of dialogue should serve a purpose, whether it’s moving the plot forward, revealing character, or creating tension. If a piece of dialogue doesn’t add value to your story, consider cutting it.
5. Read Your Dialogue Aloud
One of the best ways to test your dialogue is to hear it. Reading your dialogue aloud can help you catch awkward phrasings or unnatural speech patterns. Better yet, have someone else read it to you. This can provide insight into how your dialogue will sound to your readers.
6. Use Subtext to Your Advantage
Not everything needs to be said explicitly. Subtext—the underlying meaning behind the spoken words—can add depth and complexity to your dialogue. Characters might say one thing but mean another, based on their emotions, relationships, or situations. This layering of meaning can make your dialogue more engaging and thought-provoking.
7. Balance Dialogue with Action and Description
While dialogue is critical, it should be balanced with narrative description and action. This balance helps maintain the pacing of your story and ensures that your scenes are visually and emotionally compelling. Action and description can also provide context that enhances the meaning and impact of your dialogue.
Conclusion
Great dialogue can transform a good story into an unforgettable one. By applying these tips, you can craft dialogue that captures the essence of your characters and engages your readers on a deeper level. Remember, writing is a craft that improves with practice. Keep experimenting with your dialogue, and don't be afraid to rewrite until it sounds just right.
Writing dialogue is a skill that can be honed over time. The more you practice and read, the better you'll become at capturing the essence of conversation on the page.
#novel writing#writer#writing#writing advice#fiction#creative writing#writeblr#tumblr writers#writing tips#writing community#writers of tumblr#slaying fiction#writing dialogue#dialogue
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Struggling with Setting and Plot
[Ask edited for length]
enzoid23 asked: I can easily make characters/relationships but the setting and plot are difficult for me. I like stories where characters are stuck together in a new place and have to learn to accept it or find a way to escape, which is a basic concept, but I can't figure out how to do it. I'm trying my to avoid copying other stories but I'm not sure where to draw the line between that and inspiration either. There's too many gaps, such as the how and the where and how many characters. I keep throwing in as much stuff as i can whether it fits or not, like a Mary Sue, but it's plot instead of a character.
First, since you asked about copying vs inspiration, start by reading these posts:
Taking Inspiration from Another Story’s Premise
Similarities vs Plagiarism
Plagiarism vs Reference vs Inspiration
Hopefully that will help you get comfortable with borrowing ideas from other sources but making them into something new and unique to you.
Next, being able to come up with characters is great, but unless those characters are rooted in a particular setting or situation, it doesn't help much with world building and plot. And while some writers can find a plot within a setting, I think for most writers its easier to start with the plot, and once you have the beginnings of a premise, it's not too hard to expand a plot from there. As luck would have it, you already have the beginnings of a premise:
People get stuck together in a new place and have to learn to accept it or find a way to escape.
Now we can look at that and start asking questions. Perhaps the easiest question to start with is "do they learn to accept it, or do they find a way to escape?" Which one? Because those are two very different goals. Choosing one and eliminating the other tightens up your premise:
People get stuck together in a new place and have to learn to accept it.
All right... I think the next logical question is who gets stuck together in a place? Is it two people? Three people? Five people? Twenty-six people? One-hundred people? You don't even have to figure out the exact number right now, but just knowing whether this story is about two people, a few people, a small group of people, a bigger group of people, or a huge group of people is going to really narrow things down.
A small group of people get stuck together in a new place and have to learn to accept it.
Okay... where do they get stuck and how? Let's brainstorm... are these modern day boaters, or a misfit bunch of 18th century buccaneers, who become castaways on a remote island? Are they a group of students whose project gets them sucked into another dimension? Are they far-future astronauts who get stranded on an isolated planet? Keep going...
A small group of students get sucked into another dimension and stranded when their science project goes wrong.
Ahoy, there! A PREMISE!!!
Now you can start brainstorming the specific details... who are these students? Middle school/equivalent? High school/equivalent? University? Graduate school? Where and when is their school located? 1926 Chicago? 1980s London? 2077 Kinshasa? 1926 Shanghai?
A small group of middle school students in 1980's London get sucked into another dimension and stranded when their science project goes wrong.
Time to start world building and brainstorming this alternate dimension. Is it going to be an alternate version of our dimension? Will it be a dimension that's similar to a past time/place on Earth? Will this dimension be like a futuristic city? Will it be something fantastical like a place that feels like an alien city, or like Blade Runner meets Ready Player One? Are there other people in this dimension? Or is this group completely on their own?
Now you can start to think about a conflict... what is the problem that must be resolved by the end of the story? Is it simply a matter of figuring out how to survive in this new place? Are they immediately captured by some faction or army or group, and they must escape, or convince someone that they're not dangerous, or win their freedom somehow? What is the specific goal they work toward in order to reach this resolution? What steps must they achieve? Who or what places obstacles in their path, and what obstacles?
Once you know all of this, you can figure out the nitty-gritty details like how many characters, who each one is specifically, and what their role in the story will be. You can look at various structure templates (like Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, Larry Brooks Story Structure, Dramatica, etc.) for guidance... just don't feel like you have to stick to it exactly. You can also read through posts on my Plot & Story Structure master list for more help with plotting.
I hope this post gets you over the hump, though! ♥
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I’ve been writing seriously for over 30 years and love to share what I’ve learned. Have a writing question? My inbox is always open!
LEARN MORE about WQA
SEE MY ask policies
VISIT MY Master List of Top Posts
COFFEE & FEEDBACK COMMISSIONS ko-fi.com/wqa
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The 7-Act Story Structure
The 7-Act Story Structure is a sophisticated framework that allows for an expansive exploration of narrative complexity and character development. It’s particularly well-suited for epic tales and multi-layered stories, providing ample space for twists, turns, and deep dives into the psyche of its characters. This structure can be broken down into seven parts: Introduction, Initial Conflict, Expansion, Complication, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Act 1: Introduction introduces the story’s world, characters, and the initial hint of conflict.
Act 2: Initial Conflict sets the story in motion with a conflict that drives the narrative forward.
Act 3: Expansion broadens the scope of the story, introducing new challenges and subplots.
Act 4: Complication adds complexity to the narrative, deepening the conflicts and testing the characters.
Act 5: Climax is the highest point of tension, where the main conflicts come to a head.
Act 6: Falling Action begins to resolve the conflicts, leading towards a conclusion but still offering twists or revelations.
Act 7: Resolution ties up all loose ends, resolves remaining conflicts, and concludes the story, providing a satisfying end to the epic journey.
The 7-Act Structure is designed to accommodate an intricate narrative with multiple layers of conflict and character development. It's particularly effective for long-form storytelling, such as in novels, film series, or television series, where the story's depth and complexity can be fully explored over time.
This structure allows for a detailed exploration of the characters' internal and external journeys, offering writers the flexibility to introduce and resolve multiple subplots. The additional acts beyond the traditional 5-Act structure provide space for more significant character development, plot twists, and thematic depth, making the story more engaging and immersive.
The 7-Act Structure is best used in stories that require a vast canvas, such as epic fantasies, intricate mysteries, or complex dramas. It suits narratives that are too complex for the 3-Act or 5-Act structures due to their scope and the depth of the world-building involved. The extended framework facilitates a gradual buildup and more nuanced resolution of the story's many elements, allowing audiences to become more deeply invested in the characters and the story world.
In comparison to the 3-Act and 5-Act structures, the 7-Act structure is ideal for stories where the narrative's breadth and complexity are paramount, and the writer wishes to guide the audience through a more elaborate and detailed experience. It's the structure of choice for epic storytelling, where the journey through the narrative's many layers is as crucial as the final destination.
Happy Writing!
See Slaying Fiction for more fun posts!
#writing#writing advice#novel writing#writer#writeblr#tumblr writers#writing community#writing tips#creative writing#fiction#7-act#story structure#story writing#Slaying fiction
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The 5-Act Story Structure
The 5-Act Story Structure, often associated with classical drama and Shakespearean plays, offers a more nuanced approach to storytelling than the 3-Act structure. It is designed to provide a deeper exploration of themes, characters, and conflicts. This structure is divided into five parts: Introduction, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Denouement.
Act 1: Introduction sets up the story by introducing characters, settings, and the initial situation or conflict.
Act 2: Rising Action builds upon the foundation laid in the first act, developing the story's main conflict and complicating the characters' lives.
Act 3: Climax is the turning point of the story, where tensions reach their peak, and the main conflict is confronted head-on.
Act 4: Falling Action deals with the aftermath of the climax, leading towards a resolution but still containing elements of conflict and tension.
Act 5: Denouement resolves the remaining conflicts, wraps up loose ends, and concludes the story, often leaving the audience with something to ponder.
The 5-Act Structure is particularly suited for stories that require intricate plotting, detailed character arcs, and a gradual buildup to a climactic confrontation. It allows for a more layered exploration of themes and a complex interweaving of subplots, making it ideal for epic narratives, complex dramas, and stories with a wide scope of characters and settings.
Compared to the 3-Act and 7-Act structures, the 5-Act structure offers a balance between complexity and manageability. It’s best used when the story demands depth and complexity but still needs to maintain a coherent and focused narrative arc. It is perfect for stories where the journey, including its ups and downs, is as important as the destination.
Happy Writing!
See Slaying Fiction for more fun posts!
#writing#novel writing#tumblr writers#writer#fiction#creative writing#writeblr#writing community#writing tips#writing advice#5-act#story structure#story writing#slaying fiction
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The 3-Act Story Structure
The 3-Act Story Structure is a timeless narrative framework that writers have used across generations to tell compelling stories. It divides the narrative into three distinct parts: the Setup, the Confrontation, and the Resolution. This structure is not only simple but also incredibly versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of storytelling mediums, from short stories and novels to films and plays.
Act 1: Setup introduces the characters, setting, and the story's primary conflict or problem. It sets the stage and invites the audience into the world of the story.
Act 2: Confrontation, often the longest section, is where the story's main conflict unfolds. Characters face obstacles, undergo development, and the tension rises to a climax.
Act 3: Resolution brings the story to a close. Conflicts are resolved, character arcs are completed, and the story concludes, leaving the audience satisfied.
The 3-Act Structure is best used when telling a story that requires a clear and focused narrative. Its simplicity allows for deep character development and a straightforward progression of tension and stakes. It is particularly effective for stories that benefit from a tight narrative arc where the beginning, middle, and end are distinctly defined. This structure excels in genres such as drama, romance, and action, where the focus is on character growth, escalating conflict, and a conclusive resolution.
In contrast to the 5-Act and 7-Act structures, which introduce more complexities and subplots, the 3-Act structure is ideal for stories aiming for a direct impact and emotional resonance with the audience. It’s the go-to structure for writers who wish to keep their narratives straightforward yet powerful, ensuring clarity and coherence throughout the story.
Happy Writing!
See Slaying Fiction for more fun posts!
#writing#writer#tumblr writers#fiction#writeblr#novel writing#creative writing#writing tips#writing advice#writing community#3-act#story structure#story writing#Slaying fiction
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Beta Readers Wanted!
My YA sci-fi fantasy novel The Secret Portal, Part One is READY FOR BETA READING!
At about 106k words, TSP Pt1 is about a group of young preteens and teens discovering a portal to another dimension called Alium, full of people with powers and a group without powers. With extremists on both sides, war has plagued Alium for decades, and they are in need of change. TSP is planned to be a five-book series.
The following form is the application for beta reading. You will give a gmail so I can grant you access to the document, answer questions to see if I need your specific knowledge to consult (not a requirement), and understand the content warnings of TSP to see if you're okay to read about it.
I don't have a time limit yet, so even if the next few months are hectic, I am willing to be very flexible.
If you cannot apply for any reason, please reblog anyway so this gets around! Thank you!
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Grand Opening Giveaway Winners
I’m so excited to announce our winners for our very first giveaway!
Our grand prize winner of a curated book box was won by @caspersgraveyard.
Our second place winner of a 50$ Amazon gift card was won by @lhhsluttybae.
Our third place winner of 1 book from their Amazon wish list belongs to @ghost81194.
Thank you to everyone who participated, make sure to follow to keep up to date with any new posts, giveaways, and contests to come!
Happy Writing!
*All winners must claim their prize within 72 hours, or it will be forfeit and given to the next runners up. :)
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The Intricacies of Crafting Character Deaths in Storytelling
Elevating Narrative Through Character Deaths
Character deaths wield the unique ability to transform the narrative landscape, serving pivotal roles that extend beyond the confines of plot advancement. They are moments ripe with potential to:
Deepen Plot Dynamics: The departure of a character can catalyze significant plot developments, altering the course of the narrative and presenting new challenges and dynamics for the characters left behind. This not only propels the story forward but also introduces complexity and unpredictability.
Enhance Character Arcs: The ramifications of a character's demise are felt most acutely in the evolution of surviving characters. Witnessing or grappling with loss can reveal hidden depths, trigger transformations, and redefine motivations, thereby enriching character arcs with nuanced layers of growth and introspection.
Amplify Thematic Resonance: Character deaths can serve as poignant reflections of the story's underlying themes—be it the fragility of life, the inevitability of change, or the nature of sacrifice. These moments offer a mirror to the thematic heart of the narrative, inviting deeper contemplation and emotional engagement from the audience.
Forge Emotional Connections: At its core, the impact of a character's death hinges on its ability to evoke a profound emotional response. This connection not only cements the audience's investment in the narrative but also elevates the storytelling experience, making it memorably resonant.
Discerning the Whys and Why Nots of Character Deaths
The decision to write a character out of a story should stem from a place of narrative integrity rather than convenience or shock value.
Valid Reasons Include:
Narrative Necessity and Integrity: A character's death should feel like a natural culmination of the narrative's direction and themes, serving as an essential link in the chain of the story's development rather than an arbitrary twist.
Emotional and Thematic Depth: If the demise meaningfully enriches the narrative's emotional landscape or underscores its thematic concerns, it justifies the inclusion.
Conversely, character deaths can detract from the story when:
Solely for Shock Value: Utilizing death merely as a tool for surprise can undermine the narrative's depth, leading to moments that feel unearned or manipulative.
For Plot Convenience: Eliminating a character simply to untangle complex plot threads can be perceived as a shortcut, cheapening the narrative's overall craftsmanship.
Crafting Deaths with Lasting Impact
The resonance of a character's death is profoundly influenced by the narrative groundwork laid both before and after the event.
Prior to the Death:
Robust Character Development: Investing time in developing the character ensures that the audience forms a meaningful bond, amplifying the impact of their loss.
Strategic Foreshadowing: Implementing subtle hints about the character's fate can enhance the sense of inevitability and poignancy of their demise, while still preserving the element of surprise.
Narrative Integration: The potential death should be deeply intertwined with the story's fabric, ensuring it feels like a consequential event rather than an isolated incident.
Following the Death:
Showcase Reactions: Illustrating the emotional and practical aftermath of the death through the eyes of surviving characters adds layers of realism and depth to the narrative.
Honor the Legacy: Exploring how the deceased character's influence persists, whether through the memories of others, the impact of their actions, or ongoing storylines they set in motion, can enrich the narrative's continuity and emotional resonance.
Mindful Tone Setting: The narrative tone in the wake of the death should reflect its significance, allowing both characters and audience adequate space to navigate their grief and find closure.
Navigating the Ethical Landscape
Writers must tread carefully, mindful of the ethical implications and the messages their stories convey through the depiction of death. It's crucial to handle such moments with sensitivity, avoiding the trivialization of loss or perpetuation of harmful stereotypes. Moreover, understanding genre expectations and audience sensibilities can guide the frequency and portrayal of character deaths, ensuring they enrich rather than detract from the storytelling experience.
Conclusion
The decision to conclude a character's journey through death is a formidable aspect of storytelling, demanding careful consideration and thoughtful execution. By anchoring these moments in narrative necessity, emotional depth, and ethical sensitivity, writers can craft deaths that not only serve the story but also offer a lasting impact on the audience. Such carefully navigated departures not only underscore the stakes and depth of the narrative but also foster a deeper emotional connection between the story and its readers. Ultimately, the art of writing character deaths is about balance—between advancing the plot and honoring the emotional journey of the audience, between the shock of loss and the narrative necessity, and between the finality of death and the enduring legacy of a character’s impact.
Happy Writing!
See Slaying Fiction for more fun content.
#writer#writing#tumblr writers#novel writing#fiction#writeblr#creative writing#writing advice#writing community#writing tips#fictional characters#Character death#death scene#killing characters
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Some tips for using a few words to describe voices:
1. Tone Words: Use tone words to convey the emotional quality of a voice. For example, you can describe a voice as "melodic," "soothing," "sharp," "gentle," or "commanding" to give readers a sense of the tone.
2. Pitch and Range: Mention the pitch and range of the voice. Is it "deep," "high-pitched," "raspy," or "full-bodied"? This can provide insight into the character's age, gender, or emotional state.
3. Accent and Diction: Describe the character's accent or diction briefly to give a sense of their background or cultural influences. For instance, "British-accented," "Southern drawl," or "formal."
4. Volume: Mention the volume of the voice, whether it's "whispering," "booming," "murmuring," or "hushed."
5. Quality: Use terms like "velvet," "silken," "gravelly," "honeyed," or "crisp" to convey the texture or quality of the voice.
6. Rate of Speech: Describe how fast or slow the character speaks, using words like "rapid," "slurred," "measured," or "rambling."
7. Mood or Emotion: Indicate the mood or emotion carried by the voice. For example, a "quivering" voice may convey fear or anxiety, while a "warm" voice may express comfort and reassurance.
8. Resonance: Describe the resonance of the voice, such as "echoing," "nasal," "booming," or "tinny."
9. Timbre: Mention the timbre of the voice, using words like "rich," "thin," "clear," or "smoky."
10. Cadence: Highlight the rhythm or cadence of speech with descriptors like "staccato," "lilting," "rhythmic," or "halting."
11. Intonation: Convey the character's intonation by saying their voice is "sarcastic," "apologetic," "confident," or "questioning."
12. Vocal Characteristics: If applicable, mention unique vocal characteristics, like a "lisp," "stutter," "drawl," or "accented 'r'."
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Self-Evaluating and Refining Your Writing
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Certainly! Evaluating your own fiction writing involves a nuanced approach to ensure your narratives are engaging, characters are well-developed, and your style captivates the reader. Here’s how you can refine your approach:
1. Clarify Your Narrative Objective
Theme and Message: Identify the central theme or message of your story. Does your narrative effectively convey this throughout?
Genre Expectations: Ensure your writing meets or innovatively subverts the expectations of its genre, whether it's romance, fantasy, thriller, etc.
2. Examine Structure and Pacing
Plot Structure: Analyze your story’s structure (e.g., three-act structure, hero’s journey) to ensure it has a clear beginning, middle, and end, with rising action, a climax, and resolution.
Pacing: Check if the story moves at an appropriate pace. Look for sections that drag or rush, and adjust scene length and detail accordingly.
3. Assess Character Development
Character Arcs: Evaluate whether your main characters experience growth or change. Are their motivations and conflicts clear and compelling?
Consistency: Ensure characters act consistently according to their development, except where change is part of their arc.
4. Analyze Dialogue and Interaction
Dialogue: Review dialogue for authenticity and purpose. Does it advance the plot, reveal character, or provide necessary information without feeling forced?
Show, Don’t Tell: Strive to reveal character traits, emotions, and plot developments through actions and dialogue, rather than exposition.
5. Review Descriptive Language and Setting
Sensory Details: Incorporate sensory details to create vivid scenes. Can readers visualize your settings and characters?
World-Building: In genres requiring world-building, check for consistency in your world's rules, history, and environment. Ensure details enrich the story without overwhelming it.
6. Inspect Style and Voice
Narrative Voice: Ensure the narrative voice is distinct, consistent, and suitable for the story you’re telling. Consider whether the point of view (first person, third person, etc.) effectively serves your narrative.
Point of View:Â Ensure consistency in the point of view (first, second, or third person).
Literary Devices: Use metaphors, similes, and other literary devices judiciously to enhance your writing without making it cumbersome.
7. Check Grammar and Syntax
Grammar and Punctuation: Though creative writing allows for stylistic choices, ensure your grammar and punctuation serve clarity and style without distracting the reader.
Sentence Variation: Use a mix of sentence structures to keep the narrative dynamic and maintain reader interest.
Tense: Maintain the same tense throughout your writing unless a change is necessary for a specific reason.
Tense: Maintain the same tense throughout your writing unless a change is necessary for a specific reason.
8. Solicit and Apply Feedback
Beta Readers and Writing Groups: Feedback from trusted readers or writing groups can provide invaluable insights into how your story is received and where it can be improved.
Professional Editors: Consider hiring a professional editor for detailed critique, especially for longer works or prior to publication.
9. Reflective Editing and Revision
Distance: After finishing a draft, take some time away from it. Returning with fresh eyes can make it easier to spot areas for improvement.
Revision: Be open to substantial revisions. Sometimes, the best developments come through reworking parts of your narrative.
10. Continuous Learning and Practice
Read Broadly: Reading widely, especially within your genre, can inspire and improve your writing by exposing you to diverse styles and storytelling techniques.
Write Regularly: Practice is essential. Regular writing helps refine your craft and explore different aspects of storytelling.
Evaluating your fiction involves both technical scrutiny and creative intuition. It's a balance between respecting the craft and trusting your artistic instincts. With each story, you'll grow more adept at self-evaluation, enriching your writing and engaging your readers more deeply.
Happy Writing!
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How to Write a Great Cliffhanger
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Cliffhangers are a staple in storytelling, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats with anticipation and ensuring they come back for more. Whether you're writing a novel, a TV show, or even a blog series, a well-crafted cliffhanger can make the difference between a forgettable story and an unforgettable one. Here's how you can write great cliffhangers that captivate your audience.
1. Understand the Purpose
First, understand why you're using a cliffhanger. It's not just about stopping mid-scene or withholding information arbitrarily. The goal is to create suspense and maintain interest in what's coming next. A good cliffhanger should feel like a natural yet unexpected turn in the story, leading your audience to ask, "What happens next?"
2. Build Tension and Conflict
A great cliffhanger is built on the foundation of tension and conflict. Throughout your story, build these elements steadily. Your audience should feel the stakes rising, and just as they reach a peak, that's where your cliffhanger swoops in. This doesn't mean the conflict has to be external; internal conflicts and emotional dilemmas can also provide fertile ground for cliffhangers.
3. Create Emotional Investment
For a cliffhanger to be effective, your audience must care about the characters and the outcome of the situation. Spend time developing your characters, making them relatable and complex. If your audience is emotionally invested, they'll feel the impact of the cliffhanger more deeply and be eager to find out what happens next.
4. Make It Unexpected
Predictability is the cliffhanger's nemesis. If your audience can see the cliffhanger coming from a mile away, it loses its power. Try to surprise your readers or viewers with an outcome they hadn't considered but still makes sense within the story's logic. This doesn't mean you should rely on shock value alone; the best cliffhangers are those that, in hindsight, feel inevitable.
5. Leave Room for Speculation
A well-crafted cliffhanger should leave room for speculation without being overly ambiguous. You want your audience to theorize and discuss possible outcomes. This engagement keeps them connected to the story even when they're not actively reading or watching it.
6. Ensure It Serves the Story
Every cliffhanger should serve the overall story, not just act as a gimmick to keep audiences hanging on. It should propel the narrative forward, deepening character development or revealing key plot points. If the cliffhanger feels like a detour or an unnecessary complication, it might frustrate your audience rather than intrigue them.
7. Follow Through on Promises
Finally, the resolution to your cliffhanger must deliver on the promise of tension and intrigue you've built. Nothing disappoints audiences more than a cliffhanger that leads to an anticlimactic or unsatisfying resolution. Make sure the payoff is worth the wait.
Conclusion
Great cliffhangers can transform good storytelling into an unforgettable experience, creating moments that resonate with audiences long after they've turned the page or the credits have rolled. By understanding your story's dynamics and investing in character development, you can craft cliffhangers that not only captivate your audience but also deepen their connection to your narrative. Remember, the best cliffhangers are those that leave your audience eagerly anticipating what comes next, not out of obligation, but out of genuine interest and engagement.
Happy Writing!
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Grand Opening Giveaway
Hello Everyone!
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Grand Opening Giveaway
Hello Everyone!
We are so excited to finally be here. We can’t wait for this giveaway, and to finally connect with you all!
Thank you for being here with us as we open our business and turn our dream into reality.
Prizes on slayingfiction.com:
Email us with your choice of one of the following:
Full alpha or beta manuscript read-through
2 Hours of coaching
Blurt writing
5k manuscript editing
3 Winners will be chosen
Prizes on Tumblr and Instagram:
Curated book box worth over 100$
50$ Amazon gift card
1 Book of choice off Amazon Wishlist
Winners will be chosen from the Likes, Shares, and Followers from this site. If you want to participate, make yourself known!
Contest runs from February 1st until February 23rd. Winners will be announced March 5th.
Visit Instagram
Visit our site
Shipping may take several weeks. We are not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen packages. Giveaway is not associated with Instagram, Tumblr, Amazon, or anyone else.
The promotion isn't administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Tumblr
Happy Writing!
#writer#writing#writing advice#tumblr writers#fiction#novel writing#writeblr#writing community#creative writing#giveaway#bookgiveaway#grandopening#slayingfiction
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