The Writing Lab
Criticism is an Anal Probe. (Writing Workshop)
Into the Digital Catacombs We Go I went full Indiana Jones on my writing hard drive this morning. Plumbing the depths of your old content never fails to enlighten. It’s also good if you’re in need of a good cringefest (gotta keep those facial muscles nice and tone, after-all). They say good writing is good…
Read MoreFinding Your Author Voice (Writing Workshop)
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″] [et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] Fasten your seatbelts, Buckaroos! Today we’re talking about voice (or perhaps more specifically, STYLE), which is a slippery eel of a topic if ever there were one, so we’re gonna have to come at it all sneaky like from a couple different angles and hopefully one of…
Read More[GUEST POST] Take Your Writing To The Next Level With The Power Of Music – Ernie Luis
Ernie Luis is a college student down in Miami studying sports and fitness. He loves drinking beers andgrowing beards. Hobbies include adventures and road trips with friends, obnoxiously yelling at his favorite sports teams whether they’re doing good or bad, and eating. When he’s not doing any of those, he’s probably writing and chasing his…
Read MoreWhat Sense 8 Can Teach Us About Characterization!
I’ve got to get something off my chest. Earlier this year I wrote a blog post about 5 Reasons Mr. Robot is the Best Show on T.V.. But I have to confess…there’s a new love in my life. It’s a little show called… *drum roll* *more drum roll* *cymbal splash* Sense 8! Wait, what do…
Read MoreEnding Your Story Like A Boss (Writing Workshop)
We all know how important starting strong is, right? That first sentence needs to stick a finger in the reader’s mouth and say, “You’re coming with me, Jack.” Or Jill, whatever your name is. That first sentence drags the reader (kicking and screaming if need be) into the first paragraph, which leads to the second…
Read MoreGUEST POST: Using Netflix to Better Your Writing by Alexis Ratcliff
Guess what everybody… you get a break from my mindless blathering today. Oh, you lucky, Turnips. Today I’m pleased to hand the reigns of command over to guest blogger: Alexis Ratcliff who’s debut novel, A Vanishing Glow, just came out. It’s an amazing looking steampunk/flintlock fantasy mashup. If that sounds like your cup o’tea, then…
Read MoreBreaking Promises (Writing Workshop)
Today we’re talking about the promises and implied expectations we as storytellers make. For those of you not in the know, Brandon Sanderson is one of my favorite authors, specifically from a narrative craft perspective. One of the things he talks about over, and over, and over again, is making promises and then fulfilling them.…
Read MoreInner Dialogue: Why You Need to Stop Talking To Yourself (Writing Workshop)
Vocalized or not, we are all just sitting around talking to ourselves. It’s called Inner Dialogue and it’s pretty much how we process…well…everything. To prove this point, go find your favorite bean-bag chair and spend the next five minutes sitting quietly. Let your mind wander wherever it may, don’t censor yourself or try and corral…
Read MoreSidekick Some Ass! (Writing Workshop)
Ah, the sidekick. An oft overlooked, but (if done properly) ever present force for your storytelling good. When I wrote Cheating Your Way To Likable Characters, I talked a bit about how giving your main character a friend is one of the most important things you can do in establishing your main character’s likability. A…
Read MoreDialogue: It’s All About The He Said, She Said Bull…(Writing Workshop)
Today’s topic is extra-super important so why don’t you butt-scoot a bit closer, take your earbuds out, put the phone and curling iron down, and listen up; we’re talking Dialogue today. Before we dive in elbows deep in storytelling ichor, let’s do a little group visualization. Think back on the last really good movie you…
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