By K. M. Weiland Find these and other great articles at: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/ Story Theory and the Quest for Meaning Story has been our constant companion throughout the journey of human existence. Why is that? Modern audiences are inundated and entranced by advanced storytelling. But stories have been with us from as far back as we … Continue reading Introduction to Archetypal Character Arcs →

By K. M. Weiland Jump to Section: The Thing Your Character Wants Vs. The Thing Your Character Needs Ghost The Normal World Introduction Here is the continuation of the break-down of the six foundational ingredients to character arcs, which can then be mixed to the author’s needs according to whichever arc has been chosen for … Continue reading Wants, Needs, Ghosts, and the Normal World →

By K. M. Weiland Jump to Section: 4 Truths About the Truth Your Character Believes The Lie Your Character Believes Introduction The best stories always rest upon the foundation of believable character change and thematic depth. In turn, these two vital elements pivot upon the fulcrum of the Lie Your Character Believes and the Truth … Continue reading Thematic Truth vs. Lies – Character Arcs →

Jump to Section Positive Negative Flat Four Character Arcs? There are three major types of character arcs that can be found in fiction, whether short or long. https://writingcooperative.com/the-three-types-of-character-arcs-635c06d7459f These include the two Truth-driven or heroic arcs—the Positive-Change Arc and the Flat Arc. And the three Lie-driven or Negative-Change Arcs—the Disillusionment Arc, the Fall Arc, and … Continue reading Character Arcs →

Jump to Story Sweetness by Toni Morrison Premium Harmony by Stephen King The Mark on the Wall by Virginia Woolf Sweetness by Toni Morrison It’s not my fault. So you can’t blame me. I didn’t do it and have no idea how it happened. It didn’t take more than an hour after they pulled her … Continue reading Short Story Roundtable 06-09-22 →

Does Grammer still matter? Love of language can foster common ground Ellen Jovin and her grammar table In “This Grammar Guru Will Solve the World’s Problems,” Katherine Rosman writes about Ellen Jovin and her efforts to bring her love of grammar to the sidewalks of New York City: Ellen Jovin was settling in at a … Continue reading Language in the Age of Twitter →

5 Great Writers Who Stole The Idea You Know Them For Coming up with a great idea is one of the hardest parts of the creative process. Of course, the process is infinitely easier if you don't mind "borrowing" (a phrase here meaning "straight-up lifting") a few ideas from other people. As it turns out, … Continue reading Great Writers Steal? →

How to Develop Your Story's Themes Themes are an integral part of any good story. Yet many genre fiction writers fail to consider their story’s themes, believing they have no place beyond literary novels — or worse yet, that authors who actively explore themes in their stories do so to preach to readers.  These harmful … Continue reading Analyzing for Themes →

How to Critique Creative Writing 1.  Read the piece through the first time as a pure consumer, for interest and hopefully enjoyment.  Try to give yourself over to the piece.  See what is there.  After finishing the piece note how you feel about it.  What is your overall feeling or impression?  What are the first … Continue reading Effective Critiquing →

Panning for Gold This is a great exercise to do after a timed free-write or when you are feeling especially critical of a draft or moment you have recently written. For this exercise, you will pan for gold nuggets in your own writing. Take a highlighter and mark every “nugget” of writing that strikes you … Continue reading Revising a Draft →