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perpetual-stories · 2 years

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The Emotion Thesaurus: Adoration

Hello, everyone! I will be starting a new series that will help you the writers describe emotions.

This guide will be a writer’s tool to characters expression.

This section comes from The Emotional Thesaurus by Ackerman and Puglisi.

Adoration

Definition: the act of worship; to view as divine.

Note: the subject of adoration can be a person or thing

Physical Signs:

Lips parting

A slack or soft expression

Waking quickly to erase distance

Mimicking body language

Touching one’s mouth or face

Reaching out to brush, touch or grasp

Steady eye contact, large pupils

Leaning forward

Stroking one’s own neck or arm as a surrogate

Pointing one’s torsos and feet towards the subject

A flushed appearance

Nodding while the subject speaks

Smiling

Open body posture

Releasing an appreciative sigh

Laying hand over the heart

Frequently moistening lips

Pressing palms lightly against the cheeks

Skimming fingertips along the jaw lines

Eyes that are bright

Agreement

Speaking praise and compliments

Keeping trinkets, pictures of the subject

Constantly talking about the subject to others

Rapt attention, still posture

Becoming unaware of one’s environment

A radiant glow

Visible shakiness

Reduced blinking

Closing eyes to savor moment

Speak with a soft voice

A voice that cracks with emotion

Internal Sensations

Quickening heartbeat

Breathlessness

Feeling one’s pulse in throat

Mouth dry

Throat growing thick

Rising body temperature

Tingling nerve endings

Mental Responses

A desire to move closer or watch

Fixating one’s thoughts on the subject

Acute listening and observation

Ignoring distractions

An inability to see the subjects flaws or faults

Cues of Acute or Long-Term Adoration

Obsession

Fantasizing

Believing that the feelings are mutual

A sense of destiny

Stalking

Writing and sending letter, emails, and gifts

Taking risks or breaking laws to be near or with subject

Weight loss

Poor sleep patterns

Jealousy towards those interacting with the subject

Taking on traits or mannerisms of the subject

Carrying something that represents the subject

Possessiveness

May Escalate To:

Love

Desire

Frustration

Hurt

Cues of Suppressed Adoration:

Clenching or hiding one’s hands to hide sweating or shaking

Avoiding conversations about the subject

Watching or observing from afar

Staying out of subjects proximity

Blushing

Sneaking looks at subject

Creating chance run ins

Writing secret letters, keeping diary

Lying about one’s feelings regarding the subject

Writer’s Tip:

Body cues should create a strong mental picture. If the movement is too drawn out or complicated, the emotional meaning behind the gesture may be lost.

Please like, follow and reblog if you find this helpful!

#writing #writing advice #writing tips #original writing #writers on tumblr #writersconnection #writerscommunity #short story #storytelling #writersupportingwriters

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writers-potion · 11 days

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How do I accurately include diversity, and not make it look like I’m just putting it in there for the sake of it?

Writing Diverse Characters - Things to Remember

Honestly, there's no definitive answer to this.

Your characters are people with clear goals, desires and a role to play in the plot. As long as they aren't just sitting there with little else but their race/gender/disability, etc. as their ONLY personality trait, at least you're on the right path.

As for representing a diverse character realistically, here are some things you can consider to get started.

Do's

RESEARCH. There are plenty of blogs/YT vids/websites that exist to help you! Meet people!

Get beta readers.

It doesn't have to be explicit. Racial identities become quite clear early on through the setting, name, and initial description(hair, eye/skin color, body shape, etc) without having to drum it into the readers each time. Gender diversity can be conveyed through the use of certain pronouns without awkward declarations.

Character first, diversity second. Please don't intentionally create a diverse character and then think about how you can push them into the cast. Have a working character, who happens to belong to a particular group.

Read works that have represented a group well. There are plenty of non-fiction works, movies and documentaries that capture the lives of people around the world with a good eye.

Use the correct terms/language

Include different types of diversity

Don'ts

Race/gender/diability is NOT a personality trait. Please. Telling me that you have a Korean girl tells me next to nothing about the character herself.

Using sterotypes. Now, it's all right if your character has a few sterotypical traits, but definitely not if sterotypes are the only thing they have.

Diversity is not a "shock factor". Suddenly revealing that a character is actually gay and has been in the closet all this time as a refresher so that it draws readers' attention? Not a good idea.

One diverse character does all. This can often be seen in female characters of slightly dated works where one woman will play the role of supportive mother, sister, femme fetale and sexy Barbie at the same time. Don't write a diverse character who basically does everything a diverse character can possibly be. All that it proves is that the writer is lazy.

Things I personally hate seeing:

Weird pronunciation of languages. As a Korean person, I always get turned off by works (mostly badly written fanfics, yes, I read those...) that try to transfer Korean dialogue directly onto the page without even checking for the correct way to spell them out. A similar example would be pinyin for Mandarin. Please, this makes the character sound stupid throughout...

Character sticking out almost painfully. If your character isn't from the region but have lived in it for a long time, what reason do they have not to blend in?

Relying on variety shows/dramas as reference. Media representation of diverse characters that are meant for entertainment is not the best source for authentic research. I die every time someone lists a number of Korean rom-coms they've watched for "research". IT DOES NOT COUNT.

As a last note, remember that there's no limit to the kind of characters a writer can writer. Accept that our job as writers is to step into other people's heads, not seeing things from one (our) perspective - and it is not going to be easy.

Hope this helps :)

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tanaudel · 3 months

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42+ ways to fix a story in progress

(Also posted on: 42+ ways to fix a story)

Here is a list of (some) ways to fix a draft or story in progress. I started it in the observation journal when I was struggling with some story changes.

In summary, these can be reduced to intensify; focus/tighten; swap/invert. But in a tight spot, specifics are often more useful. And making the list was also important, because it reassured me I knew all these techniques, and had used them before, and should calm down.

List 10 terrible endings (adapted from a Helen Marshall exercise), or just 20 endings. Or 100…

Re-outline it

Map it onto another story (I like to quick-outline fairy tales until one resonates, and then identify the parts to strengthen)

Fill it out as a synopsis questionnaire (I used to use Sue Dennard’s 1-page synopsis to trap story ideas)

Ask — what is the story behind the story?

Change the place

Change the era

Genderflip main character

Genderflip everyone

Change the genre

Change the adjectives

Describe the story in one emotion, & align/adjust

Do the same for each scene/section (see also three moods)

Flip (main) character’s personality (quiet to loud, etc)

What happens after

What happens before

What’s happening at the same time

It’s a metaphor for: ___

Pick/change emotional note for end

Scene-map

Match to 3-act structure

Match to 5-act structure

Give characters a preoccupation or secret

Start it later

Start it earlier

End it earlier

End it later

Map it onto a song

Blow something up

Make everything worse

Change [define & intensify] the aesthetic

Explain the reasons

Invert

Make it/ the weak bits A Whole Thing

Make it/ the weak bits a Good/Bad Thing

Make it/ the weak bits The Shape of the World

Tell from a non-obvious point of view (see also: by whom and to whom, and some less common points of view)

Change the type of character in the role (think archetypes and stereotypes)

Change drama – pose (?)

Change motifs

Change sentence structure

Change form, shape (e.g. list, pastiche, non-fiction)

And to these I’d add:

change voice, and

change age.

I might add more as I go. But in the meantime: hey, my debut collection of short stories, KINDLING, is now out from Small Beer Press (in the USA, and coming soon to Australia). It includes the new story “Annie Coal”. And if you look closely at the journal page above, you’ll see that was the story I was editing when I made this list.

#writing #short stories #writing advice #writing tips

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em-dash-press · 2 years

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Plot Devices to Complicate Your Story

You're excited to write an upcoming story, but the plot seems pretty simple from start to finish.

How can you make it more complicated to deepen your themes, lengthen the story, or leave your readers with plot twists that make their jaws drop?

Try a few of these devices 👀

Add motivation to your instigating action

When the princess gets kidnapped at the start of your story, your hero will rescue her, but what's the antagonist's motivation for kidnapping her? If they're in love with the hero and take their jealousy to the extreme or secretly know that the princess asked them for an escape plan to avoid marrying your hero, the plot is much more compelling.

You could add this detail anywhere in your plot, even in the first chapter.

Layer a second motivation underneath an action

After the princess is kidnapped, the hero starts their journey to rescue her. The reader finds out in the second chapter that the hero is being blackmailed to retrieve the princess and return her to their kingdom's biggest rival to start a war.

Amplify the original problem

Your protagonist rescues the princess and brings her home, only to find out that she's had a twin brother all this time who has been taken hostage by the antagonist in retaliation for the princess' escape.

Introduce a second, more evil villain

The antagonist has kidnapped the princess for their own motivation, but the reader discovers in the middle of your story that they serve a more evil villain who holds a personal grudge against the princess' father and wants his whole kingdom to suffer as revenge.

Create conflict that brings your protagonist to their rock bottom

The protagonist rescues the princess, almost reaches their home kingdom, but she escapes. The king sends the protagonist to prison for their failure and sentences them to death in three days. The reader will feel the hopelessness along with your protagonist, which is where you can create something that injects new hope into your plot (like a dramatic jailbreak thanks to the protagonist's best friend).

Make a character betray another

The protagonist reaches the princess with the help of their best friend, but the princess stabs the protagonist in the back by trading their best friend for herself through an unbreakable vow

Reveal an unreliable narrator

Your protagonist agrees to rescue the princess for the sake of the kingdom, but the second or third chapter reveals that they are really on a mission to kill the princess for personal revenge against the king.

Reveal that the villain has known everything the whole time

Your protagonist and princess escape, but the villain factored that into their plan to start a war and have their forces waiting outside of her castle when they arrive home

Introduce sudden regret that changes a character's arc

The protagonist has to leave their best friend behind to ensure the princess' escape, but in leaving them, the protagonist realizes they've been in love with their best friend the entire time. Regret motivates them to head back for their best friend and risk their life twice as soon as the princess is home safe.

Temporarily kill a character

The princess kills the villain with some help from your protagonist, so they think they're safe. On their way back home, the villain sets a trap for them in the woods because they actually survived the attack.

Try using Chekov's gun

Before leaving for the princess, your protagonist gets a potion made by a family member. The directions? "Use it in your moment of greatest need." The protagonist uses it later when they're facing the villain or after hitting rock bottom, so the potion becomes a plot device that instigates your second or third act.

Accelerate the plot

Your reader thinks the plot is all about rescuing the princess, but she returns home in the first 100 pages. The real plot begins by choices or actions made during her rescue, which unravel into a much larger story/world event.

You likely won't be able to use all of these plot devices in a single story. You may not even have the first plot for more than one.

Consider what you're writing and what dynamics your characters/plot present to decide if any of these tricks could enhance your writing.

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thepedanticbohemian · 8 months

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I don't care what you write from screenplays to fan fiction, Neil Gaiman is a master you should absorb like a sponge.

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thewriteadviceforwriters · 10 months

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Unlock the Secrets of Writing Realistic Fiction: Research Strategies for Authors

Understanding the Basics of Writing Realistic Fiction

Understanding the basics of writing realistic fiction is a key part of becoming a successful author. Realistic fiction is a genre of writing that strives to recreate the everyday realities of life as accurately and realistically as possible. It's often based on true-to-life characters and settings, and requires authors to draw on their own experiences and observations in order to create believable stories. To ensure that your writing is as realistic as possible, it is important to familiarize yourself with the genre, understand its core elements, and explore research strategies that can help you create realistic stories.

The Benefits of Writing Realistic Fiction

Writing realistic fiction has a number of benefits for authors, including the ability to draw on the real world for inspiration. Realistic fiction allows authors to create stories that are rooted in reality, allowing them to capture the nuances of everyday life and explore complex themes and issues. Writing realistic fiction also allows authors to create characters that are well-rounded and believable, allowing readers to connect with them on an emotional level. Additionally, by writing in the genre, authors can help create a sense of empathy and understanding between readers and the characters they are reading about. With these benefits in mind, it's clear why writing realistic fiction can be so rewarding and satisfying for authors—and why it's worth taking the time to research and plan your story before you begin writing.

Research Strategies for Writing Realistic Fiction

Research is an important part of writing realistic fiction. It helps to ensure that your story is based in reality and believable to readers. In order to write realistic fiction, authors should use research strategies that will help them to create an accurate and believable story.

When researching for your story, it is important to look for accurate information. This means researching in reliable sources such as libraries, historical societies, and government websites. Additionally, authors should make sure to take notes or keep track of the information they have gathered.

Another important research strategy is to talk to people who have experienced the topic you are writing about. This could include interviewing people, reading memoirs, and observing people in their natural environment. This will help you to create more realistic characters and scenes in your story.

Finally, it is important to keep track of all of your research and use it to inform your writing. Make sure to review your research notes regularly to ensure accuracy and credibility. Additionally, make sure to review your story with a critical eye to make sure that all of the details are true-to-life and believable.

By using these research strategies, authors can create realistic and believable stories that will captivate their readers.

Identifying the Core Elements of Realistic Fiction

Realistic fiction is a type of story that is based on real-life experiences and events. To write a convincing and believable story, authors must identify the core elements of realistic fiction. The most important of these elements are believable characters, a setting that is realistic and plausible, a plot that is believable and engaging, and writing that is vivid and evocative. Identifying and understanding these elements are essential to creating an authentic and believable story. When beginning to write a realistic fiction piece, the author must first decide which elements to focus on. Once these core elements have been identified, the author can begin to develop a story that is both believable and compelling. Researching and gathering information about the elements of realistic fiction will help the author create a story that is well-crafted and engaging.

Structuring Your Writing for Realistic Fiction

Structuring your writing for realistic fiction is an essential part of the creative process. It's important to plan out how you will structure your story before you begin writing. This can help ensure that your story has a logical flow and is consistent throughout. When structuring your writing, you should consider the overall plot arc, subplots, and the pacing of the story. You should also consider how the characters will interact with each other and the overall setting. By considering all of these aspects, you can ensure that your story is structured in a way that will pull readers in and keep them engaged throughout the story.

Crafting True-to-Life Characters

Creating believable characters is an essential part of writing realistic fiction. While it may be tempting to rely on stereotypes or stock characters, it’s important to remember that readers will be looking for characters with realistic motivations, flaws, and personalities. To craft true-to-life characters, authors should start by researching common character traits in their genre. It’s also important to create characters with unique features and backgrounds that will be relatable to readers. Additionally, authors should use research to create characters that are believable within the context of their story’s setting. Finally, it’s important to use research to ensure that characters’ actions and conversations are true to life. By following these tips, authors can ensure that their characters are realistic and engaging for readers.

Setting the Scene with Realistic Details

When writing realistic fiction, it's important to incorporate realistic details to make the story more believable. Setting the scene with realistic details helps to draw readers in and create a more immersive experience. This can be achieved by researching the setting and other details such as the time period and the culture of the characters. Using accurate language and descriptions will add to the authenticity of the story, making it more believable. When writing about a particular location, it's important to research the landmarks, geography, climate, and other relevant details. Knowing the culture of the characters is also essential for setting the scene with realistic details. Researching things such as the architecture, music, food, and language of the location can help bring the story to life. Finally, it's important to research the current events of the time period in order to provide an accurate backdrop for the characters and plot. By researching the setting and other details, authors can create a vivid and believable setting for their realistic fiction story.

Developing a Plotline that is Believable

Developing a plotline that is believable is essential for creating a successful piece of realistic fiction. It’s important to ensure that the plot follows a logical sequence of events. It can be helpful to come up with a basic outline of the story and then brainstorm the details. Ask yourself questions about the characters and their motivations and then use this information to build the plot. A believable plot should also have a clear beginning, middle, and end with rising action towards a climax. Pay attention to the pace of the story and make sure that there are no gaps in logic. When crafting a plot, it’s important to consider both the external and internal conflicts of the characters. This will help to create a realistic storyline that resonates with readers.

Finding Inspiration for Writing Realistic Fiction

As an author of realistic fiction, it’s important to have a source of inspiration for your stories. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to find new ideas and inspiration for writing realistic fiction. One of the best ways is to use research strategies to explore different topics and ideas. Researching different cultural backgrounds, settings, and events can provide writers with insight into the world of realistic fiction. Additionally, authors can draw inspiration from their own personal lives and experiences, incorporating them into their stories. Finally, reading the works of other authors in the same genre can also be a great source of inspiration. By using these strategies, authors can find the inspiration they need to write believable and captivating stories.

Making the Most of Your Research Strategies for Writing Realistic Fiction

Conclusion

Once you have completed your research for your realistic fiction story, it is essential that you make the most of the information you have gathered. To do this, you should take the time to review your notes and highlight the key pieces of information that you will use in your writing. Think about how you can incorporate the details in a meaningful way that will bring your story to life. Additionally, consider how you can use your research to deepen your understanding of the topic and create a realistic and believable story. Finally, be sure to use the research strategies you have developed to keep your story on track and add authenticity to your writing. By doing this, you will be able to create a story that is unique and engaging.

TheWriteAdviceForWriters 2023

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luck-of-the-drawings · 23 days

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smth smth about 'the thing that the character did that you thought was rly rly funny in the moment is actually linked to a terrible trauma that lies within said character.' or wahtever.

#jrwi show #jrwi fanart #jrwi riptide #gillion tidestrider #made this within a short span of wahtever bc i gotta go up to the mountains for my stupid gay job tonight n im trying #nnot to frrRREAAAK THE FUCK OUUTTTTTTi dont wanna work but. get that bread we fuckin shall i guess #ONWARDS TO THE FISH TORMENT!! sometimes flowers feel pain when you trim them before their blossoming. atleast i imagine so #i used to draw gillion with loooong hair tied into a big ol braid. and then it was confirmed that he had short hair when he was little.#AT FIRST I WAS SAD. but then i realized the duality of. when they were little. gill had short hair. edyn had long hair.#AND NOW THEYRE OLDER. and gillion has long hair. and edyn has short hair #both mirroring eachother. looking up to eachother. subconsciously or not. they most certainly care. and most certainly miss eachother.#GILLION ALWAYS LOVED HOW LONG HAIR LOOKs. atleast i imagine so. he hasnt cut it since he left the undersea. sure he wanted to go back home #but even at the very start. he knew he was free in some way now. free to grow out his hair. an adventure would await him before he returns.#he knew it would be a while. so he cant let this go. he cant let this sought-after hair-length get cut away from him again #not yet. not yet. i like to think he loved music too. I SAW SOMETHING INTERESTING A BIT AGO #i see alot of ppl commenting on my baby gill comics like;'i wouldFIGHT this teacher i wanna KILL EM i want them DESTROYED #all very good and nice sentiments! i LOVE the energy here! and it would be nice. to have that catharsis #but the story of young tidestrider is not a story of catharsis. it is a story of agony and being so so small and so special and also so dum #and sucking so bad. and just being a kid and doing the things that a little kid does and so many tired tired people reacting badly to it #youre supposed to be the hero that will save us. our world hangs in the balance and you are the one who tips the scales.#YOU are supposed to SAVE US!! you NEED to SAVE US! CAN YOU PLEASE STOP SQUIRMING IN YOUR STUPID CHAIR!!#you'd think that young tidestrider ought to prevail. and be tucked someplace all safe and sound.#elders gone missing and rotting in a jail. their cultists nowhere around. but theres no happy endings. not here not now.#this tale is all sorrows n woes. you may dream that justice n peace win the day. but thats not how this story goes #BIG ideas for this lil baby gillion series. if anything i make ever gets disproven im killing myself in a well as to poison a water supply

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novlr · 3 months

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writing-with-olive · 2 years

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Outline I like (especially for shorter works)

Note: I learned this in film class (which is why it says "defines the movie" at the top, but I've also had success using it for non-film writing. It's basically a three-act structure, but I find for non-novels it's easier to work with than Save The Cat, for example.

Another note: Unraveling The Map is rarely a whole scene in and of itself in my personal experience - I usually use it to create an opening image that leads into the Launch Point, which I make the first scene

Unraveling The Map - Do you have an opening scene that defines the movie?

The Launch Point - Where are we, and who are we with?

The First Leg - What’s a normal day look like in this world?

Change Course - What sets our characters off on their journey from normalcy?

The Foot of the Mountain - Okay, we’re going on this journey together. (choosing the direction for solving the problem)

Climbing The Side - It starts hard, but you get used to the problems as you go.

Through The Cave - Do you have a B story? Set that story off on its own now too.

Reassess the Problem - You’re at the middle. Is there another way to get it done?

Try and Fail - Things begin to fall apart, can they handle it?

The Fall - The worst thing happens, something so bad you don’t think you can get up.

The Hidden Clue - What do your characters discover about themselves/the problem that they never saw before?

Race To the Finish - They’re up and running no matter what

The Treasure Chest - Did they get what they came for?

Where We Go From Here - Show us the world in a new light, hint what’s next.

#writing #writing advice #writers on tumblr #writeblr #outlines #outlining #mountain expedition outline #three act structure #novels #movies #short film #short stories #launch point #through the cave #foot of the mountain #treasure chest #writing tips #writing process #olive's writing vibes

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sudharsanuniverse · 5 months

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Top 20 beyond basic tips to improve your descriptive writing 💭✒️

1. Involve your senses in descriptive writing, appealing to sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.

2. Integrate dialogues effectively to bring characters and situations to life.

3. Use metaphors and similes to make your portrayals more vivid and imaginative.

4. Experiment with unique perspectives or points of view to add a fresh angle to your narrative.

5. Create a strong sense of atmosphere and mood to enhance the overall tone of your piece.

6. Include suspense or surprise elements to enchant your readers.

7. Use symbolism to add layers of meaning to your writing.

8. Develop a consistent and original voice that reflects your personal style.

9. Play with pacing to control the rhythm and flow of your narrative.

10. Show empathy in your character portrayals to make them more relatable.

11. Build pressure gradually and release it strategically for a compelling storyline.

12. Blend humor to inje1ct a touch of personality into your writing.

13. Employ the "show, don't tell" method by allowing actions to reveal emotions and motivations.

14. Break away from linear storytelling with non-linear narrative structures.

15. Try different genres to broaden your writing skills.

16. Frame memorable and thought-provoking endings that leave a lasting impression.

17. Invent a strong opening and closing sentence for each paragraph to enrich structure.

18. Capture unique and conceivable dialogue patterns to make characters distinct.

19. Develop a balance between description and action to maintain a dynamic pace.

20. Use literary devices like foreshadowing or symbolism to add depth to your writing.

Was it helpful?

Like and reblog the tips you loved.

For more writing topics, follow me at @sudharsanuniverse

#writingforlife #creative writing #writing community #writinglove #writerslift #writing #writers and poets #writers of tumblr #writerscommunity #writing tips #descriptive writing #short story #storytelling #writing techniques #narrative #narrative techniques #creative inspiration

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deception-united · 9 days

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Hello! Do you have any tips on writing a short fic without any dialogue? I'm writing in 3rd person limited, present tense.

In the fic I'm writing, my character takes a walk one morning, through the woods in his backyard, trying to see the sunrise.

Throughout the fic I want him to reflect on his first marriage that ended due to both parties falling out of love. I'm actually pulling inspiration from Lord Huron's "I Lied" song.

But I'm having trouble in keeping the reader engaged and effectively communicating such deep retrospection without any dialogue or secondary character contributions while the story unfolds...

Hi, thanks for asking! Writing a short fic without dialogue can challenging, especially when delving into deep introspection. Here are some tips to help you effectively communicate your character's reflections and keep the reader engaged:

Internal monologue: Since you won't be using dialogue, focus on showing the character's emotions, thoughts, and memories through their actions, observations, and internal monologue. Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of the character's surroundings and their inner world.

Use sensory details: Engage the reader's senses to immerse them in the character's experience. Describe the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations of the woods and the sunrise. How does the character feel as they walk through the forest? What memories or emotions are evoked by the sunrise?

Use symbolism and metaphor: Explore the symbolism of the woods and the sunrise as they relate to the character's emotions and reflections on their past marriage. For example, the changing colors of the sunrise could mirror the stages of the relationship, while the winding paths of the woods could represent the complexities of love and loss.

Integrate memories and flashbacks: As the character reflects on their past marriage, incorporate brief snippets of memories or flashbacks to illustrate key moments or emotions. These can be woven seamlessly into the narrative to provide insight into the character's state of mind.

Create tension and conflict: Even without dialogue or external conflict, internal conflicts and tensions can drive the narrative forward. Explore the character's internal struggles, regrets, and uncertainties as they grapple with their past and try to find meaning in their present moment.

Focus on character development: Use the character's reflections on their past marriage to reveal layers of their personality, motivations, and growth over time. Show how they have been shaped by their experiences and how they are evolving as a result.

Craft a compelling narrative arc: Structure your fic with a clear beginning, middle, and end, with each part contributing to the character's journey of self-discovery and reflection. Build tension and anticipation as the character navigates through the woods and towards the sunrise, culminating in a moment of resolution or realisation.

Study other short stories: Taking the time to read and analyse short stories that rely heavily on descriptive language and internal monologue to convey meaning and emotion can be quite helpful. I find that some older texts especially tend to lack in dialogue and make up for it in vivid descriptions and prose. Pay attention to how these authors create atmosphere, develop characters, and evoke emotions through vivid descriptions and introspective narration.

Happy writing! Good luck on your story ❤

#ask #writeblr #writing #writing tips #writing advice #writing help #writing resources #creative writing #short story #story writing #writer tips #deception-united

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perpetual-stories · 2 years

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Starting Strong Scenes in Your Writing

Scenes are the fundamental building blocks of novels and short stories, and each one should propel a story toward the climax.

Generally speaking, your scene structure should mirror the story structure. In other words, take a novel-writing approach to a scene, crafting a beginning, middle, and end. Like a story, the beginning of a scene should have a strong entry hook that pulls the reader in.

Start with the setting. Often a new scene signifies a change in time and location. Establishing the setting at the top of a scene helps your readers get oriented. It also sets the tone and mood of what will unfold in the coming pages. A setting can serve as much more than a backdrop in literature. Have your scene take place somewhere that builds tension and hinders your protagonist. If you’re writing a thriller, describe a dark and foreboding place where the worst might happen. Be descriptive and use sensory details to make your setting come alive before you jump into the action.

Use visual imagery. In screenwriting, writers have to think in pictures. What images will excite an audience at the top of a scene? Your approach should be the same when writing any kind of fiction. As you write the opening of a scene, use descriptive language to engage a reader through detailed imagery. Think like a screenwriter as you’re writing scenes.

Drop the reader into the middle of the action. Hit the ground running by starting a great scene in media res. It doesn’t have to be a fight scene or a car chase, but physical movement creates momentum and builds tension in a story. It’s also a way to instantly engage a reader. Be sure you begin the scene before the high points of the action so you build up to the scene’s climax.

Write a character-driven scene opener. A good scene starts by giving characters a goal. Start by putting your protagonist in a situation that creates an obstacle or opportunity for both the scene and the overarching storyline. Try starting with dialogue, like an intense conversation between your POV character and a mystery character whose identity is revealed later in the scene. If you’re writing from an omniscient third-person point of view, consider starting a scene with a secondary character, even the antagonist, and use it as a chance for deeper character development.

Summarize past events. You might choose to use the beginning of the scene to do a quick recap of what’s brought your main character to this place and moment in time. A summary is especially helpful if you’re writing in third-person and a new scene switches to a different character. Take the opportunity to remind the reader where we left off. Instead of a straight-forward update, get creative. Go into deep POV and let a character’s thoughts provide the summary instead of the narrator. Be sure to keep this summary brief—just a line or two—so you can get back into the action.

Introduce a plot twist. The start of a new scene is a chance to pivot and take your story in a new direction. Start a new scene at a turning point in your story. Dive into a flashback or character’s backstory, revealing critical information that changes the course of the story going forward.

Keep the purpose of the scene in mind. Effective scenes are clear about what they set out to accomplish and how they contribute to the overall plot. They might include plot points or reveal important information needed to move a story forward. Establish your scene’s intention from the very first word and keep the rest of the scene on point.

Rewrite until you’ve found the perfect scene opening. When you’ve finished the first draft of a scene, go back and read it through. If your scene needs something, but you can’t figure out what, it might be how the scene starts. The best way to know if your opening works is by reading how it plays with the rest of the scene. Review the last paragraph and see if it ties back to your beginning. If the intro feels weak, rewrite it. Maybe your real opener is hidden in plain sight somewhere else in the body of the scene.

Make sure your opening scene is your strongest. While your entire book should be filled with compelling scenes that start strong, the very first scene of your book needs to lead the pack. This is the reader’s introduction to your story and where you’re revealing the characters, the setting, and kicking off the plotline with the inciting incident. This first scene has to hook the reader from the first line so they keep turning the pages.

Read a lot of books. If this is your first novel and you need some inspiration and ideas to help you start off your scenes, start by reading other books. Choose a book by a bestselling writer like Dan Brown or Margaret Atwood. Study the different ways they approach every scene. Reading other authors is a great way to hone your scene-writing skills.

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