Look at almost any traditional mystery or horror story and you’ll find that each follows FOUR movements (are the theories of how films are made/structured). In this discussion, I will be using film to dissect the Four Movements of Mystery and Horror (and in some cases thrillers). The one thing that Mysteries, Horror, and Thrillers… Read More The Four Movements of a Traditional Mystery, Horror, or Thriller Story
Hey *waves* it seems like I am bent on talking about rejection these last two weeks… And if you read this post you’ll understand why, YIPEE. Rejection sucks, but it is the only way any aspiring author will become an AUTHOR. “By the time I was fourteen the nail in my wall would no longer support… Read More Rejection Letters (YAY!)
I “finally” received a response from the literary agent who requested my full in early July. It was a no, but not even just a no, but the dreaded form rejection. I won’t lie and say that wasn’t completely disheartening—or rather like a punch to the gut by John Cena, and John Cena loves everyone.… Read More Rejection Though…
In Part I of this series, I discussed how I wrote my first draft or rather outlined it. Now, we’ll be discussing how to use an outline after the First Draft. Many people erroneously believe that outlining ends after the first draft, however, I believe the outline becomes even more important. The outline, in the later… Read More Outlining Your Novel Part II
In the writing world, there’s a lot of disagreement surrounding the use of outlining (really, only writers could find ways to argue about something so mundane). Everyone has an opinion on the topic, whether it’s for or against… “I don’t plot the books out ahead of time, I don’t plan them. I don’t begin at… Read More Outlining Your Novel Part I
He brushed past his uniform with a negligent flick, though it hurt him to do so. It hung in the closet, weathered and dusty as if worn by a skeleton. At one point, it was. During the war years, it had draped his emancipated frame as he was led from the POW camps by the… Read More Daily Prompt #11
Writing is not easy and will never be easy. There will always be days when you feel like every word you write could be written better by a first grader. Days when writing feels like pulling teeth. And many, many days when you feel like you cannot write. I’ve felt every one of these things.… Read More My Writing Routine (Part II: Sit Down and Write!)
“Judge if you want, we are all going to die,” Flint glared at the surrounding crowd, a fire blazing in his eyes. “I intend to deserve it.” Flint turned from the crowd, the people he’d grown up with, and the only home he’d ever known. The Empire was coming for them tonight. They had attacked… Read More Daily Prompt #11
I’m lucky that now, after about two years of serious writing, I can force myself to talk to my muse, even if neither of us is up for a conversation. However, that was not always the case. For many, the action of sitting down and WRITING can be the hardest step. Many of us lead… Read More My Writing Routine (Part I: How to Begin)
Hey, so the reason I kinda, sorta, at least a little bit know, a thing or two about writing, is because I wrote a book. Yay! Right now it’s out in the vast world of querying, its little sails rattling against the wind and it’s probably sprung a few leaks along the way, but it’s… Read More Character Boards
