Writing can be a solitary journey. Still, authors looking to publish their work eventually must face good and bad critiques. Generous, polished authors who recall what it was like when starting out may be happy to give constructive feedback. Writers will also encounter internet trolls, anyone who, although they have never written a single line themselves, wants to tell you precisely what is wrong with your work.
Continue reading “Online Writing Groups”An antagonist is a character in a story who opposes the protagonist. They often have traits that directly differ the protagonists and can be used to create tension and conflict in a story.
In tackling character development, the process is similar in all characters, positive or negative.
Antagonists can be human or non-human, such as animals, forces of nature, or even ideas. They are often portrayed as being selfish, power-hungry, or otherwise villainous. Writers need to create well-rounded antagonists with motivations and goals that readers can understand and relate to, as this helps make stories more interesting and engaging. The antagonist can start out seeming harmless, then revert to a truer nature, as can the protagonist. Take some risks, and mix it up. Readers like to be kept on their toes.
Protagonists are usually the most crucial character in a book or movie, and their actions can impact the story’s outcome. A good writer should create an exciting protagonist that readers can relate to and root for.
By understanding the protagonist’s motivations, desires, and fears, authors can craft compelling stories that draw readers in and keep them engaged. Protagonists can also be used to explore topics such as morality, justice, and even philosophy.
I suggest outlining the characters you create, giving them personalities, appearances, habits, and main motivations in their actions.
Continue reading “Protagonists”Writing a book can be intimidating, but you succeed with the right approach and tools.
Once the general idea, the “what if,” has been decided, an outline can be one of the most important tools a writer can utilize to stay on track. It helps to control ideas and plot points and ensure that all the pieces fit together in a way that makes sense. In the horror genre, the following can be one type of basic outline:
1. Choose a fear factor:
2. Follow the key elements of horror
3. Set tone and predictive phrasing
4. Insert a plot twist
5. Twists and turns
6. Save the secrets for the proper placement in story-to move it along, create a change, and conclude.
An outline also allows the writer to track how much they have written and how much work they still need to do to complete the book. With an overview, writers can easily stay on track with their writing goals.
Outlining helps writers make changes to the story as they go along and keep track of ideas and plot points, making it easier for the writer to stay organized. With this tool, a writer can create compelling stories that readers will enjoy while helping them stay on track and avoid getting overwhelmed by writing a larger piece of fiction.
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