#WritingTricks

[coffeetank]

Build CHARACTERS!

Every time you write a book, you're creating a journey for your reader. Your main characters are the medium through which this journey is carried out. Your readers see the events in the book through your characters' eyes. Thus, it's very important to have characters that feel human, even though they might not be (if you're talking fantasy).

Now, of course, if your writing fantasy and your character is a dragon or some mythical fox, they won't act the way a human would. But that's the best part about making characters, you can give them layers. No matter the circumstance, every character will have a way of responding or reacting to it. That's where your characterisation comes in.

Here are a few things I do to make my characters, well characters:

1. MORAL CODE:

Your characters, regardless the genre, are the immediate connection to your readers. Fantasy or not, they'll be carrying the story. So they need to have a set of values that they follow. When you're affixing a moral code to your characters, first take an example setting. Suppose, you've created a character named A. Let's say A is a man and a detective by profession. Now let the main event of your story be a case of murder. Obviously, there's going to be an investigation. Let your detective (A) find out that the victim, who is a woman, was a sex worker. After the victim's body comes back from a forensic search, let there be signs of sexual assault. Now conventionally, as a detective, A is supposed to jump into action and go above and beyond to find the culprit and bring justice. But here is where you can add a characteristic that isn't conventional. Even though A is a detective, make him look down on sex workers. That would mean that A believes that the victim probably 'asked' for whatever happened to her. Your character needs to have a moral code so that they can ignite some sort of feelings in your readers. This moral code further also revs the whole process of character development. In a nutshell, a moral code is a set of beliefs that your character has which can either be agreeable, or questionable, or both. We call them the white zone (virtuous/agreeable), the black zone (evil/questionable) and the infamous morally grey zone (both).

2. OPPOSING QUALITIES:

This is by far the most interesting advice I have ever received. Opposing qualities are actually simple – it's one quality (that's good) and it's inverse (which is a flaw). What you do here is, you give your characters a good/admirable quality and then you give them flaws based on those specific good traits. Some of these that I have used are:-

helpful :: people-pleaser (you character helps others but at the same time seeks validation from others, thus only helps people who validate them)

confident :: cocky (you're character is confident, but they often come off as cocky in situations requiring humility)

perfectionist :: obsessive (are they a perfectionist or are they just obsessed with having things go their way only?)

supportive :: nosey (sure, they support all their friends, but they also tend to poke their nose into everything which makes them ignore or overlook people's boundaries)

straightforward :: rude (they are straightforward and don't shy away from speaking their mind which is good; however, they end up saying things which could be harsh or hurtful)

reserved :: unfriendly (character can be introverted and reserved too, but sometimes they get away with being outright hostile all in the name of their introvertism)

protective :: possessive/controlling (this is easy to confuse as both parties involve an exceptional amount of care for their loved ones, but ask yourself - are protective and possessive really the same?)

practical :: ignorant (one of my favourites; is your character just level-headed about stuff? or are they just heedless to others' emotions?)

There's so much more you can do with this one! Use as many traits and their inverses as you wish! This tip really helps a lot (speaking with experience)!

3. BACKSTORY:

Probably the most important part of making a character. Everyone has a backstory. You. Me. Most importantly, your character. Backstories as just significant events that alter the mindset of your character. It can range from something minimal to something grave. It could be a cup of coffee or it could be a traumatic experience. The experience could be personal or they could have been an observer; anything works as long as it affects them and hits their weak spot.

The following questions are important to frame a backstory:

• how does your character think?

• what is their moral code? are they in the black zone, the white zone, or the grey zone?

• what are their emotional fears? how do they deal with them?

• what is their level of emotional maturity? do they have any form of issues (trust, attachment, etc)?

• how was their childhood? how were the parents? how were the sibling, the relatives or family friends?

• was their school/college life good? did they have any life-altering experiences?

• what kind of friend circle do they have?

Answering these questions will help you get to know your character even better. Thus, making it easier for you to create your character for your readers.

4. THEIR EMOTIONAL ENVIRONMENT:

Your character has a family, or doesn't. Maybe they're an orphan, or grew up in a foster home. Evaluate what type of effect that may have on your character. Was the foster family abusive thus making your character too shy and timid? Or was life as an orphan so difficult that they learnt to be hyper-independent?

Include their friend circle in this. What type of friends do they have? Are they friends with the good kids? Or the bad kids? Or is it a mixed group? If it's a mixed group, then further focus on how the differences in opinions has an influence on your character. Use your character's emotional surrounding to build their functioning.

If you've come this far, thank you! Do let me know if these tips seem helpful/have helped you!

- Ashlee.

[author-mandi-bean]

Celebrate #writerwednesday with me and check out my brand new blog post that includes #writingexercises ! Use this link: https://mandibeanwriter.wpcomstaging.com/2023/02/08/how-to-get-creative-6-exercises/?fbclid=IwAR0sFErRoCx_vBOUFeEUawnCN3OoXGSOluKJZslOX3hYOurFCov9OobronQ #mandibean #writer #creativewriter #writing #writinglife #writingtips #writingtricks #writingtipsandtricks #author #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #herbeautifulmonster #martinsisterspublishing #moodyblue #genzpublishing #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #writersdigest #gabrielapereira https://www.instagram.com/p/CoaEGcErNCn/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[coffeebeanwriting]

Different Ways to Describe Dialogue — Pt. 1

The simplicity of said does exactly what it needs to: it identifies the speaker. Don’t abandon the word said completely, but here are some other ways to describe your dialogue! 

1) Use a physical gesture. This allows for the character to interact with their environment for more detailed imagery. 

     “Please, don’t leave me!” She grabbed at the hem of his golden cloak as he turned away from her, the finely crafted material slipping from her wet fingers.

2) Use different synonyms of said to add atmosphere. This can help create tone and volume in your scene, but should be used sparingly. They add a nice flavor and clarity to an important scene— however, some authors think “said” should still be your default.

     “Please, don’t leave me!” She bellowed. 

3) Replace dialogue tags with action in a way that moves the plot along. This kills two birds with one stone. It shows who is speaking, while also pressing the story forward.

     “Please, don’t leave me!” She grabbed at the hem of his golden cloak and a crumbled note fell from his pocket.

4) Use no description at all! If you’ve already clarified who will be speaking from the context above and want the dialogue to stand alone, you could try using no tags.

     She sat in a puddle of her own tears, grabbing at the hem of his golden cloak. He turned away from her, the finely crafted material slipping from her wet fingers. She pressed her hands to her chest, the tightness threatening to subdue her.      “Please, don’t leave me!”

Instagram: coffeebeanwriting Pt. 2 — Coming Soon!

📖 ☕ Official Blog: www.zmwrites.com

[kids-worldfun]

Try These 5 Tricks To Improve a Child's Essay Writing Skills. Writing is a crucial part of the education system. The five tricks mentioned below are sure to help your child improve their writing skills. Read more

[bafreely]

Mood. Tone. What’s the difference and why is so important in your writing? Read my latest blog to learn how to use mood and tone to evoke an emotional response from your readers at https://bethannefreely.com/f/creating-mood-and-tone-in-your-writing

[cookrunwrite]

I started a new podcast yesterday...specifically for writers! The trailer is up and the first podcast will be up soon. I would love your support. It's available on all main platforms such as Anchor, Spotify, and Apple. Thank you ✒💗📚 #authordeannamartinezbey #authordeannamartinez #writer_deanna #writerdeanna #podcast #podcastersofinstagram #writers #authors #copyeditors #forwriters #spotify #apple #anchor #writingtips #writingtechniques #writingtricks #podcastlife #newpodcast #authorscommunity #authorssupportingauthors https://www.instagram.com/p/CDBbKtBA1NV/?igshid=1kkev6u93158y

[thattexiechick]

Writing Tips- Making Notes

Hello, sorry I've been away for a while. The only excuse I have is that I am a very lazy person and all my efforts are being put toward my current story (!!!) and school (???). Anyway, I'm back with some new tips.

Get a journal and write down everything you want to happen in your story. I do this, and I can't even begin to explain how many times it's saved me. Doing this doesn't require a lot of effort and there is no downside. If anything, it will help you remember what you want to happen and map out your plot.

In that same journal, write out you characters and ask yourself, "What does this person want to change?" It is vital, as a writer, to know what each of your characters desire. I do this for my main people and even my side people. I usually don’t bother with the background characters unless I’m really stumped, or they have a big role to play in the end. This will help you realize where your characters should be towards the climax or the end of the story. Another thing you can do with this is write out how you can keep that character from getting what they want.

Jot down the likes, dislikes, looks, mannerisms, habits, and langue of your main characters. It is important, especially when building them, that you know them like the back of your own hand. No one wants to read a story with plain Jane characters. We to be shown how they are real people. Or even better, why we should be hoping for their success. The more realistic you make them, the more interesting your book, or story, will be.

Never stop making notes. I know for myself I’ll think of something so amazing and then I won’t write it down and curse myself out later. DO NOT TRUST YOUR MEMORY. Seriously.

That’s all I have for now. I’ll be posting again soon!

[homeofdissertation-blog]

Writing Tricks and Tips for beginners          

The writing world is a world where new ideas take birth in the imaginations of the writers and are decorated on the piece of paper. Every writer should have the ability to think some new ideas for writing and imagination power is the key to success for every writer.        

[writers-republic]

How do you make your writing flow, so each line and idea leads smoothly into the next? These five techniques will give you the word-by-word secrets of flow.

#writing #writingflow #writingtips #WritingTricks #amwriting #inspiration #WritingCommunity

[coffeebeanwriting]

Writing Complex Characters

If you’re looking to create complex, unique, relatable characters... consider making them walking contradictions. 

What is a walking contradiction? It’s a character who’s personality conflicts on itself. As humans, we all have contrasts in our personalities as a result of our upbringing and life events. When a character has opposite traits within their personality it can create juicy conflict/plot. 

She’s attractive but has lost confidence in her looks = she might settle for less than she deserves.

He’s heartbroken but still believes in love = he might put his heart on his shoulder and gets used.

He’s is the most popular boy at school, yet feels extremely lonely = he could befriend the quiet kid.

She’s indecisive, yet impulsive = makes a bad choice without thinking.

She loves watching the travel channel but has never left her small town.

Here are some examples of complex characters that are written as walking contradictions in literature:

Harry Potter — rumored to be the most powerful wizard, yet his story starts in a cupboard under the staircase.

Edward Cullen — a deadly monster who falls in love with a delicate human whose blood is his weakness.

Hannibal Lecter — a respected psychiatrist who is well-mannered on the outside, but is a serial killer who murders rude people. He taunts Clarice, but then also protects her.

Inej Ghafa — a highly skilled assassin who doesn’t kill due to her religious beliefs.

Frodo — a small hobbit with no qualifications, who is tasked with saving middle-earth.

Hamlet — cares for Ophelia, yet breaks her heart. Loves his mother, but hates her for marrying the king.  

Blu — a bird who doesn’t know how to fly.

Instagram: coffeebeanwriting

[Source] [Plot Perfect by Paula Munier]

📖 ☕ Official Blog: www.zmwrites.com

[jordanimiola]

How to Focus On Writing and Stop Being a Lazy Cow

A friend recently sent me an e-mail asking “How do I sit down and write? I've been trying to write my script for years and all I have so far is 15 pages. Whenever I sit down I get distracted and do something else.” 10 Tips to stop being distracted and JUST WRITE! 1) TURN OFF THE INTERNET Make the internet a reward instead of a distraction. Make yourself WRITE BEFORE YOU GO ONLINE. If you're an addict of facebook, promise yourself you can't look at FB til you get X amount of pages done. Once you get on Facebook, you often forget why you even went on facebok in the fist place, you creeper. And if you need the internet for research, put a time limit on it when you start writing and then TURN IT OFF! 2) PUT YOUR MIND IN JAIL Don’t literally commit a crime, but put your mind in jail. This means know that you have nowhere to go and nothing to do except the task in front of you.  By telling yourself “I’m in Jail,” you can’t have access to the outside world, just you and those words you’re going to write. 

3) THE 5 MINUTE RULE/WRITING EVERY DAY At my last day job, I worked 60 hours a week and when I got home, the last thing I wanted to do was work more, so I did the 5 Minute Rule. JUST PROMISE TO WRITE 5 MINUTES A DAY. 5 Minutes is nothing, but you never know what will spark in 5 minutes. There's often times 5 minutes becomes 15 minutes, 20 minutes, or even an hour if inspiration hits. This will also keep your project in your subconscious everyday. 4) WRITE AS SOON AS YOU WAKE UP Put your laptop or notebook next to your bed. Then have the first thing you do before you even get out of bed is WRITE. Even if you have to pee, tell yourself you won’t pee until you write that scene, idea, or joke. 5) STOP FINDING EXCUSES I have many friends who moved to L.A. to become screenwriters, yet when I ask “What are you working on now?” It’s the exact same thing they had A YEAR AGO! They make excuses as to why they haven’t written anything in months. If you want to make money writing. You have to TREAT WRITING LIKE YOUR JOB. 6) WRITE FOR THE WASTE BASKET Ever sit down to think “Today, I’m going to write a masterpiece.” Only to find out you can’t write, because you can’t kill the critic in your head. Maybe you’re putting too much pressure on yourself to be good. The songwriter, Johnny Mercer used to “Write for the Waste Basket.” Without feeling that pressure of being great, he wrote crap, but after rewriting, that crap became gold records. In his career, he won four academy awards for Best Original Song. Judd Apatow works like this too. He calls his first draft the vomit pass, because it’s incredibly bad. But a vomit pass is better than no draft at all.

Johnny Mercer was probably also a party animal!

7) STOP BEING A PARTY ANIMAL Let’s face it, we all love to get drunk with our friends, but sometimes you have to blow off your friends to focus on you. Being a social butterfly isn’t going to get your pages done. And if you still want to drink, drink when you write, just don’t fall asleep or become an alcoholic. 8) JOIN A WRITING GROUP or CLASS Nothing makes me work harder than having my work being judged by my peers. Especially those who have more experience than I do. Having a class or discussion about your script can do wonders and give you new ideas.  Plus classes and groups give you deadlines, which come to my next point. 9) HAVE A DEADLINE If you have a Writing Contest, class, or have to present the script to a producer, you genuinely get your ass writing.  Deadlines help immensely.

10) MAKE A (REALISTIC) GOAL LIST AND STICK TO IT My grandma told me that everyday she writes a big list of things to do, and she’s lucky if she gets the first 5 things done on that list, but she’s still proud of those 5 things. Don’t tell yourself you’re going to do a lot, if you know you’re not going to do that. Big lists become overwhelming. Instead make your list of accomplishments smaller, and be proud of those accomplishments…and then go get drunk.

Jordan Imiola http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4817743/ www.jordanimiola.com

[thattexiechick]

Conflict Resolution

Every novel has a plot, or, well, some do. And in every plot, there is conflict, however, some things get lost in translations. For example, what ever happens to the minor plot problems? Did you character resolve them in the background without the reader? These are things that need to be told. As an author, you can’t go from point A to point Z without telling what’s between them, conflict resolution. For every problem, you have to have a resolution. One of the way’s I make sure all my loose ends are tied up is by writing them out. I make notes along the way with later ideas on what solution will follow the problem. Another way I do this is by farming my problems. I figure out what my character will deal with next and then what follows.

Thanks for reading ❤

[coffeebeanwriting]

Interesting Ways to Kill Your Darlings — Pt.1

    1) Sacrifice. Either by their own means or against their will. Either way, their death saves thousands of lives, OR... maybe their sacrifice does the opposite and ends up killing thousands, but they died thinking they left a positive impact.

     2) Stabbed in the back by the one guy everyone told them not to trust, but they decided to trust anyway because “there’s still good in him.”

     3) After surviving a very dangerous event in your book, they die afterwards from something minor or a wound that they’ve been concealing.

     4) They’re being mind controlled by the enemy, so they beg their allies to kill them before they do something bad. Or they already did that bad thing and have to be killed after creating an upset. This makes a bad event even worse.

     5) Give them an “Achilles heel” — a single weakness that ends up being their downfall.

     6) They die by their worst fear (ex. drowning if they’re afraid of deep water.) This could end up haunting and affecting the other characters deeply.

     7) Consider killing them in the middle of their character arc. An abrupt, sudden death that leaves their story unfinished. Was the bad guy just about to be redeemed? Did the shy hermit finally gain enough courage go on an adventure, only to die before reaching the end?

     8) Give them an ironic death. The champion is killed by accidentally tripping. The dragon rider is eaten by one of his dragons.

Pt. 2 — Coming Soon

Instagram: coffeebeanwritng

📖 ☕ Official Blog: www.zmwrites.com