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Basic and Advanced

 Building Worlds: The Novelist's Goal.... The novelist's job is not merely to tell a story; it's to build a world and invite the reader to inhabit it. This requires a delicate balance of artistry and craftsmanship, where every word, every sentence, and every carefully constructed scene contributes to the illusion of reality. I write historical fiction and contemporary thrillers. Both genres require research and the creation of characters representing opposing views of the plot. While the writer may base these characters on personal experiences or friends and families, their main reason for existence is to challenge the dramatic debate proposed by the plot. The goal is to present a plot and create an experience. The reader should feel the heat of the desert sun, the chill of the winter wind, the weight of grief, the thrill of victory. They should taste the bitterness of betrayal, the sweetness of love, the tang of the sea salt air. This immersive experience hinges on several...
Recent posts

An interview with Val McDermid - BSPG w/ Crimebits, Karen Pirie, TV Seri...

A great talk with the phenomenal #leechild The Opening Gambit of my novel Into the Shadowlands is number 67. Thanks, Lee.

Magalopolis

 I am still on the fence with this film. There's a part of me that looks at it as a screenplay, that seems both underwritten and overridden at the same time. Several scenes that seem to be improvised. Some other scenes that seem to be anything but improvised. In fact, almost stagnant in the way that they are delivered. There seems to be also a lot of Interesting ideas that are set up but are not particularly paid off period so check it out. But don't be surprised if you find yourself lost in Megalopolis.

These Dreams

Are your dreams trying to tell you something? Dreams are intriguing phenomena that have captivated humans for centuries. Some people believe dreams are messages from our subconscious, revealing our hidden desires, fears, or conflicts. Others think dreams are just random images and sensations our brain produces during sleep. But what does science say about the relationship between dreams and the subconscious mind? And how can we use our dreams to better understand ourselves and our conscious minds? And what can creative writers take away from the idea that our subconscious minds are where we do our best writing? One way to approach this question is to examine the process of dream recall, or how we remember our dreams. Dream recall is not straightforward, as most of us forget our dreams soon after waking up. However, some people can recall their dreams more frequently and vividly than others, and some factors can influence the likelihood of dream recall, such as sleep quality, emotio...

Meanwhile

 Writing your novel can feel nearly impossible, but many techniques can help keep your readers engaged. One such method is using parallel stories, which writers can use to create tension and suspense. An effective way to do this is to end your scenes so that you cut between them at moments that leave your readers hanging. Writers sometimes call this technique “Meanwhile, back at the ranch.” The nickname dates back to silent movies when title cards between scenes signaled transitions. In the earliest days, studios didn’t make new cards for each movie but used a set of stock cards: “One Year Later,” “Comes the Dawn,” or “Wedding Bells.” “Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch” was the card used most often when the action, for example, cut away from the heroine being tied to a log just as the villain turned on the sawmill. The literary version of this technique dates back to at least Homer. Still, it was probably perfected in the nineteenth century when newly popular magazines serialized nov...

Write your chapters backward

Sting is one of my favorite singers and songwriters. He uses literary devices to tell visual, emotional, and thought-provoking stories. I've read a bit about how he opens himself up to the writing process and have found that some of what he espouses works for me. He applies a blend of intuition, observation, and technical mastery to his writing that I believe can be applied to the art of storytelling. Embracing Intuition: Sting often begins by letting go of conscious control and allowing his subconscious to guide him. He describes this as "listening to the music and asking it to tell me a story." This intuitive approach taps into the writer's inner world, drawing on emotions, experiences, and memories that can form the foundation for powerful narratives. In first drafts especially, I find myself taping into a trance-like state that opens my mind to unplanned characters and ideas. The subconscious is a marvelous thing. Ob...