Helping Writers Become Authors

Too often, in the mad rush of life's busy work, daydreams are relegated to the shadowy cellars of our minds. We'll think about them when we have time. When time never seems to come, however, our daydreams become a luxury we can't afford. But, as writers, the one thing we can't afford is not to daydream.

We often lose sight of the fact that settings are more than scenery. They're the cohesive grounding, the foundation, of the whole story - and as such they need to be used with sparing care.

Readers want fiction to be extraordinary enough to thrill them with its strangeness and excitement. But they also want it be ordinary enough for them to find aspects they can relate to. So how is a writer supposed to pull off this apparent paradox?

Who knew furry little rodents were such experts on story arc? See the foundational art of the three-act structure acted out to perfection!

Rewriting is hard work, but it's also very freeing and satisfying. Raising your story to its full potential, cutting its weaknesses, and beefing up its strengths is exciting! Don't lament the work; revel in it. As E.B. White pointed out: The best writing is rewriting.

When authors whose stories have impacted the world start talking, we start listening. Take a look at the following collection of wisdom on a myriad of writing topics. Be instructed, and be inspired!

Much as we love writing, as soon we sit down and take one look at that intimidating blinking cursor, our tendency is to start procrastinating, usually with seemingly innocent minutiae that adds up before we know it.

If you could have a professional reviewer read your book and totally get it - completely understand everything you were trying to say with your characters, plot, dialogue, and themes - what would he write about your story? Close your eyes for a moment, emotionally distance yourself from your story, and pretend you're that reviewer.

Good writing should not be about pitting plot against character, but rather about finding the harmony between them.

In the best of stories, setting is an inherent key in bringing to life not just the scenery but the characters themselves. As such, it isn't something we can afford to overlook. Your answers to the following questions may show you the weak points in your setting construction and help you use it to its full potential.

We've transformed the internal editor into a monster of epic proportions, but only because we haven't learned to utilize him. Our editor's not a fiend; he's a friend. The best friend - and the best tool - a writer can have. But only if we embrace him.

Is our talent and desire for writing a gift we're meant to use? Or is it just a harmless hobby, something to pass the time that others might pass by remodeling classic cars or playing soccer? Is our writing just a fun pastime - or is it a calling?

If you find you're focusing more on your word count than your words themselves, you might want to consider releasing yourself from what could end up being a habit destructive to your productivity.

Haven't made your New Year's resolutions yet? The following list is an excellent place to start, whether you're jumpstarting your writing career, or whether you've been writing for years and need to scrape off some rust. If, by the end of the year, you can cross the following habits of successful authors off your checklist, you'll be a force to reckon with in the literary world!

Not every chapter needs to end with a cliffhanger, but they do need to encompass a question powerful enough to make the reader crazy to know the answer.

By allowing your characters to communicate with their bodies as well as their mouths, you can open up a whole new layer of nuance in your dialogue.

If you haven't already done so, make music a part of your writing routine - and reap the benefits of immersion in the magical realm of stories without words.

Every once in a while, dare to step outside the bounds of normalcy and see what unexpected adventures you can find off the beaten path.

Maybe journaling is a mine of creative gems for some people. Maybe it is conducive to that sometimes elusive dance with the muse. But maybe it's also a waste of time.

Some of the most powerful stories in literature and cinema have a surprising common element: The death of a main character. At first glance, this would seem to be an instant turnoff. Why hang with a character for 300+ pages only to watch him get knocked off in the end? But the truth is, when handled properly, the death of a character can add untold power and pathos to a tale.