Author: wildsoundwritingfestival

Can a story have too much plot? It might surprise you (especially if you’re a regular reader of the site), but the answer is absolutely, yes… 2,610 more words via How to Tell if Your Story Has Too Much Plot, Not Enough Character — Helping Writers Become Authors

“How do I figure out my character’s arc?” This is a question I receive commonly—and with good reason. Not only is your character’s arc central to all your other story choices— 2,698 more words via How to Use a “Truth Chart” to Figure Out Your Character’s Arc — Helping Writers Become Authors

For many people, dialogue is the heartbeat of fiction. As arguably the only true form of “showing” in written fiction, it offers an inexhaustible source of energy for dramatizing characters, catalyzing conflict, and enhancing every available opportunity for entertainment. 2,852 more words via Critique: 10 Ways to Write Excellent Dialogue — Helping Writers Become Authors

Choosing a protagonist is often more of an event than a process. Writers sometimes feel more like the protagonist chooses them than the other way around. 1,592 more words via 5 Questions for Choosing a Protagonist Who Represents Your Story’s Theme — Helping Writers Become Authors

“Write three-dimensional characters.” “Bring your characters to life.” “Create realistic human experiences.” These ditties of writing advice are so common they’re almost clichés. But how can you fulfill these dictums to write “real characters” without first mastering the even more foundational principle of understanding people? 2,183 more words via A Writer’s Guide to Understanding People —… Continue reading A Writer’s Guide to Understanding People — Helping Writers Become Authors

You want readers to like your story. You want to give them something to love on every single page. But it’s so much easier said than done. 2,409 more words via How to Know Which Parts of Your Story Readers Will Like Best (It Isn’t Always What You Think) — Helping Writers Become Authors

A little over a year ago, I decided to create a more sustainable, zero waste lifestyle. As a writer, time at the desk is a huge part of my life, so figuring out how to create a zero waste home office was a top priority from the beginning—and, honestly, one of the easiest parts of… via… Continue reading 23 Tips for a Zero Waste Home Office — Helping Writers Become Authors

Long ago, someone gave me a birthday card that said “Fearless.” For many years, I tacked it on my bulletin board above my desk. Even now, it’s one of the few cards I’ve ever saved. 2,640 more words via How to Overcome Fear as a Writer and Embrace Your Profound Courage — Helping Writers Become Authors

Here’s how to choose the right antagonist for your story. You know “If I Didn’t Have You”—that song John Goodman and Billy Crystal belt out at the end of… 2,210 more words via How to Choose the Right Antagonist for Any Type of Story — Helping Writers Become Authors

The one thing all writers are trying to do is write a better first chapter. First chapters are do-or-die territory. We know this as writers because we know this as readers. 2,587 more words via Critique: 10 Ways to Write a Better First Chapter Using Specific Word Choices — Helping Writers Become Authors