This is part of my writing exercises workbook, available to subscribers. Outlining a story involves breaking down its main components into manageable parts. First, start with an introduction or hook that captures readers’ attention and sets the stage for what is to come. Then move onto the rising action section where tension builds up graduallyContinue reading “Writing Exercise 6: Plot Outlines”
Tag Archives: character development
Writing Exercise 5: Conflict Sketches
This is part of my writing exercises workbook, available to subscribers. Conflict drives the story forward by challenging characters, testing their values, and pushing them to make difficult decisions. Without conflict, stories can feel flat or predictable. By skillfully weaving conflict into a narrative, authors can keep readers on the edge of their seats, eagerlyContinue reading “Writing Exercise 5: Conflict Sketches”
Genre Exploration: Navigating Fiction and Non-Fiction Worlds of Literature
This blog post explores various fiction and non-fiction genres, providing an overview of their key features and notable examples to help readers navigate the world of literature. It covers genres such as action & adventure, fantasy, historical fiction, horror, romance, science fiction, autobiography & memoir, biography & history, essay, self-help, and travel writing, while also suggesting ways to mix and match genres for new ideas.
Revelations and Tensions: Unveiling Captain Dumont’s Sci-Fi Odyssey
The author shares a work in progress featuring Captain Dumont in a lavishly furnished apartment. The setting establishes a sci-fi world and characters. Despite luxury, Dumont’s behavior raises concerns, prompting analysis of the crew’s psychological state. The opening sets the stage for character-driven conflict and hints at a larger, complex narrative. Read on for more developments.
Something Extra
I’ve been remiss in writing my blog content recently, so decided to post an excerpt from a work in progress. You may recognize one of the characters from my series on character development. Enjoy. A palpable stench assaulted Elara’s senses, a noxious blend of decay and filth. The pungent tang of rotting food mingled withContinue reading “Something Extra”
Challenge and Response
This post challenges readers to explore the economic and political aspects of their favorite stories. Using “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings” as an example, it delves into how Hobbits’ self-sufficient economy and fear of the unknown influence their political structure, contrasting it with the centralized monarchy of the Dwarves. Opportunities for plot conflicts and creative storytelling emerge from comparing these cultures.
World Building (pt 4) – Politics & Economics
The post discusses the link between politics, economics, and world-building, using examples of monarchies and the Islamic Caliphate to illustrate how political structures influence economic growth. It emphasizes the importance of stability in political structures and suggests exploring the reasons behind seeking stability. It also highlights the significance of economic systems in world-building, teasing the upcoming post on building an economy.
Newer is not always better…
The post discusses the evolution of Stable Diffusion and UI options for generative AI image creation, particularly with XL models. The author tested different XL models with varied prompts but found that the newer models did not always produce better results than the original 1.5 model. Despite improvements, the author still prefers the 1.5 generation’s speed and appeal.
World building (pt2): Cosmology & Mythology
This post emphasizes the importance of creating a captivating cosmology and mythology for world building. It delves into designing the structure of the universe, establishing physical properties, introducing celestial bodies and deities, and constructing a rich mythology. Additionally, it explores how these elements interplay with other world building aspects, such as moral frameworks and storytelling techniques, to create an engaging and memorable world.
World building: Crafting Rich, Imaginative Settings for Your Stories (pt 1)
This post discusses the importance of crafting captivating worlds for stories. It emphasizes the impact of environment on characters and the role of world-building in fiction. The author provides a roadmap for exploring five key elements of world-building and hints at genre-specific considerations. Subscribers will receive additional content and tools for world-building.
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