Defense mechanisms are a variety of behaviors that keep a person from confronting and acknowledging uncomfortable feelings. They include denial, projection, repression, and suppression. Defense mechanisms are inherited from our parents and are often first manifested in childhood. When you think about developing your characters, you need to find ways to show how emotions affect […]
Body language is subconscious, so you can’t always tell exactly what’s going on in someone else’s mind. However, body language can be extremely revealing, and it can also be surprisingly easy to pick up—often without even realizing it. For example, the “head tilt” is often used in emotional displays. When someone is nervous, they may […]
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I’m not sure what age I started to write down my thoughts, but my first memories go back to my early childhood. I remember writing my first fanfiction when I was about 13, and it involved a girl group based on the Spice Girls—no shame […]
Developing our characters is what we do as writers, but they can also be trouble. Maybe you created a particular character to be so annoying that you never want to see them again. Perhaps they’re so crucial to your story that you can’t even think about killing them. But, what is the best way to […]
Today’s blog goes hand in hand with last week’s post. One of my goals with these guides is to think about different ways to look at story development. You put your characters through the wringer in every way! Despite what some writers may claim, there is no such thing as a “right way” to approach […]
Every writer has a style, a personality that influences the way they write. Some may be fast and crude, others reserved and timid, and some may be witty. Some may even be all of the above! I took my pursuit of knowledge further and sat for my Masters of Fine Arts in Writing. It’s a […]
“Light” is an important word to describe. Light is often an integral part of what you are describing; this is particularly true when describing colors or lighting effects. So, when writing about light, it is vital to use the word accurately. There is an infographic floating around, and I’ve included it in text form because […]
Happy Christmas to those who celebrate! Guilliean The hero’s journey, as a theme, is a well-known trope in literature and film, typically dealing with a protagonist’s struggle with a given goal. The hero’s journey typically starts with a call to adventure, a call to save a fellow being from a dire situation. The hero chooses […]
A synopsis, or pitch, is a summary of your story. It’s a quick, straightforward, and easy way to show editors and agents what your book is about and why they should care. It helps them assess your writing, storytelling, and character development skills. Finally, it’s an excellent way to get a meaningful look at an […]