#storytelling techniques

[rrcraft-and-lore]

Once upon a time

Everyone knows once upon a time, but did you know that countless cultures have their variation of how classic stories begin, and one one from Welsh is, "A long time ago," similar to a few others from other cultures that go, "A long long time ago."

But, some, like Lithuanian go: "Beyond nine seas, beyond nine lagoons," similar to the Czech, "Beyond seven mountain ranges, beyond seven rivers."

These are some variations from Arab texts: This happened or maybe it did not. The time is long past and much is forgot.

There was or there was not—is anything sure or certain but the greatness of Allah?—a king so powerful that man and Djinn bowed before him.

This is how many Hausa tales are begun “A story, a story. Let it go, let it come.”

And of course, we have one that is a combination and modern invention that has become part of media culture and storied greatness: "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away." <3

These are just some. But it's been among the most wonderful part of my research before I began putting down the first words for Tales of Tremaine. But the art of storytelling is one of the most human things there is. It's central to us, and it has passed long and far by tongue and time over lands and through cultures. Some beginnings are so similar to each other, some not so much.

But then you see the threads between them in the stories, the themes, tropes, archetypes, motifs. But the traditions span the world. They are old. They are cool. And they are beautiful.

And storytelling is one of the gifts that connects us all, like music, and other arts.

[severussnapemylove]

Ya know, the Death Eater storyline could have been a great exploration into the processes of radicalisation and how and why different people are drawn into cults or cult like mentalities. Instead we got the one dimensional, lazy storytelling of “Death Eaters are nazis”. As if there’s only ever been one group of villains who thought themselves superior due to their bloodline. The author should take a closer look at her own country’s aristocracy. A golden opportunity of storytelling, social exploration and character analysis was missed here because of overdone plot devices.

[ancientroyalblood]

How to Use Backstory Without Info-Dumping

Backstory adds emotional depth, context, and richness to your characters and plot—but drop it all at once, and you risk grinding your story to a halt. Info-dumping is one of the most common pitfalls in fiction writing, especially for newer writers who are eager to explain everything up front. So how do you incorporate backstory naturally without overwhelming your readers? Let’s break it down…

[mightymur]

[ISBW] From Patent Memos to Nebula Nods with Wole Talabi

S20 Ep13: In Which Mur Attends Wole Talabi’s Creative Alchemy Transcript   “The primary driver of my sense of success is, ‘do I feel happy with what I’ve done?'” – Wole Talabi Mur chats with Wole Talabi, an engineer turned author (but still engineer). They discuss the Schrodinger’s Cat of publishing, the thrill of rewriting old stories for new audiences, and the joy of challenging the norms of…

[tagbinindia]

Creative Writing: Unleashing Your Imagination Through the Art of Storytelling

Creative writing is a powerful form of self-expression that transcends traditional writing by blending imagination, emotion, and artistry. From crafting captivating stories to penning thought-provoking poems, creative writing taps into the depths of human creativity. Whether you're a budding writer or a seasoned storyteller, this guide explores the world of creative writing and offers tips to enhance your craft.

What is Creative Writing?

Creative writing goes beyond the confines of academic or technical writing. It allows for freedom of expression and encourages writers to tell stories, evoke emotions, and explore ideas. Examples of creative writing include:

Novels and short stories

Poetry

Plays and scripts

Memoirs and personal essays

Creative nonfiction

Unlike factual writing, creative writing emphasizes originality, imaginative thought, and narrative technique.

The Importance of Creative Writing

Enhances Imagination:Creative writing nurtures your imagination by encouraging you to think outside the box. Writers create vivid worlds, characters, and scenarios that captivate readers.

Improves Communication Skills:The practice of creative writing helps sharpen your ability to convey ideas, emotions, and narratives effectively.

Boosts Emotional Well-being:Writing creatively can be therapeutic, providing an outlet for emotions, self-reflection, and personal growth.

Encourages Critical Thinking:Crafting compelling plots or solving narrative challenges requires analytical and critical thinking skills.

Key Elements of Creative Writing

To excel in creative writing, focus on these essential elements:

Characters:Well-developed characters are the heart of any story. Give them depth, motives, and relatable traits to make them memorable.

Plot:A compelling plot with twists and turns keeps readers engaged. Ensure your story has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Setting:The setting provides context and atmosphere. Describe the environment vividly to immerse readers in your story.

Voice and Style:Your unique voice and writing style set your work apart. Experiment with tone, vocabulary, and sentence structure.

Theme:Every piece of creative writing carries a central idea or theme. It gives your story purpose and resonates with readers.

Types of Creative Writing

Fiction Writing:Fiction includes novels, short stories, and novellas that entertain or provoke thought through imaginative storytelling.

Poetry:Poetry uses rhythm, metaphor, and language to evoke emotions and convey deep meanings in a concise form.

Playwriting and Screenwriting:Writing for the stage or screen involves creating dialogues, scenes, and actions that bring characters to life visually.

Creative Nonfiction:This form blends factual content with literary techniques, making real-life stories as engaging as fiction.

Blogging:Blogs with a creative touch stand out by using narrative techniques to inform, entertain, or inspire readers.

Tips to Improve Your Creative Writing Skills

Read Widely:Immerse yourself in various genres and styles to understand different writing techniques and perspectives.

Practice Regularly:Like any skill, creative writing improves with practice. Set aside time daily to write without judgment.

Experiment with Prompts:Writing prompts challenge you to explore new ideas and step out of your comfort zone.

Edit Ruthlessly:The first draft is only the beginning. Edit your work to refine your ideas and improve clarity.

Seek Feedback:Share your writing with trusted friends, peers, or mentors to gain constructive criticism.

Join Writing Communities:Participate in workshops or online forums to connect with fellow writers and learn from their experiences.

The Role of Technology in Creative Writing

Technology has revolutionized creative writing by offering tools that aid every step of the process.

Writing Software: Tools like Scrivener and Google Docs help organize and format your work.

Grammar Checkers: Apps like Grammarly ensure your writing is polished and error-free.

Idea Generators: Online platforms provide writing prompts and inspiration.

Publishing Platforms: Self-publishing tools allow writers to share their work with a global audience.

Challenges in Creative Writing

Writer’s Block:Overcoming mental roadblocks can be tough. Combat writer’s block by taking breaks, changing your environment, or exploring prompts.

Balancing Creativity and Structure:Striking the right balance between free-flowing creativity and a structured narrative can be challenging.

Maintaining Originality:With countless stories out there, creating something unique requires effort and authenticity.

How to Start Your Creative Writing Journey

Identify Your Passion:Figure out which form of creative writing resonates with you the most—fiction, poetry, or nonfiction.

Set Realistic Goals:Start with small, manageable goals like writing a short story or poem.

Create a Writing Routine:Consistency is key. Designate a specific time and place for writing every day.

Study Writing Techniques:Learn about literary devices, narrative structures, and character development to enhance your craft.

Celebrate Small Wins:Acknowledge and celebrate your progress to stay motivated.

Creative Writing in Today’s World

In the digital era, creative writing has expanded to new platforms like blogs, social media, and online publications. Writers now have more opportunities than ever to share their work and reach diverse audiences. Whether it's through storytelling on Instagram or self-publishing an eBook, creative writing continues to evolve and thrive.

Conclusion

Creative writing is a journey of self-expression and discovery. By honing your skills, embracing technology, and exploring new ideas, you can craft compelling stories that captivate readers and leave a lasting impact. Whether you write for personal fulfillment or professional aspirations, the art of creative writing opens doors to endless possibilities.

Content source -

[lulullia]

Lyphuriaa Progress Report #1

Well, it's been a long while since my last post, because since then I've been in input – or learning – mode and spent my days absorbing information on my favorite topic: storytelling.

Before that, I was really creatively blocked, unable to do anything but stare at the screen trying to get my body to f-ing move and start drawing, writing, or coding – with little success. And so, in the process of searching for stuff to consume and kill time with, I remembered a favorite, huge resource I had already started reading but needed to finish, and that's how I ended up switching to input mode.

Lesson learnt: sometimes, if you're blocked and taking breaks doesn't help, it may just be because you're trying to output when you're really in need of input. That can take the form of inspiration (like browsing Pinterest or going back to a favorite book/movie/game…) but also actual education (like an online course or book, articles and videos on the topic, etc).

And sure enough, as I was expanding my knowledge on storytelling, I couldn't help but go and apply that to my current projects. I'll summarize the progress made on Lyphuriaa (or more like massive problem-fixing), and also share the two amazing resources I've been binging at the end, if you're making stories too!

Bird's eye view on the plot

For the longest time, Lyphuriaa was mostly in my head, and the plot was nothing more than "Lulu's life". That's because I started imagining it when I was a kid, and so it was never properly structured the way a story ought to be. Almost exactly a year ago, I realized the problem and started fixing it, cutting the boring parts, beginning the story at a more exciting point, changing up variables…

The result was already something that felt way more like I'd enjoy reading it myself, more mature and cohesive, but it still very broken structurally. It's only these past few weeks/months that I really started digging deeper and fix the core.

The core being, of course, the three basic components of a story – the Story Goal, the Protagonist (person pursuing the goal), and the Antagonist (person in opposition to the goal being achieved). Yeah, Lyphuriaa was that broken. Let's see how exactly, and then show the current fix.

The problems

The story goal was super fuzzy. I knew it was something along the lines of "taking back Lyphuriaa to rebuild it" but NONE of the characters, or events actually worked towards it. I also had no idea on the actual steps to fulfill it. Something fuzzy like "board airship or ship, fly/sail to the place, remove any stupid goons tryna stop you, plant flag, done! then epilogue showing the place rebuilt!" Plus, I didn't have enough details on the situation on Lyphuriaa (the place), like Why did it get abandoned if its people were literally genocided to take over the land? What's the situation outside Lyphuriaa – do the winners still have their eyes on it, don't care about it anymore, still claim ownership of the land? What about other countries? etc, etc.

The protagonists – Lulu and Vlad – are completely fleshed out as characters, but the problem was within their personal goals and motivations. If I just let them do whatever they wanted, they'd go live on a boat and sail the world, not "take back Lyphuriaa to rebuild it". I just struggled immensely to tie them to the "goal" somehow. That's part of the reason why none of the plot points worked towards the goal – the main characters don't even care about it. At some point I even considered the fact that maybe, they're not meant to tell this story, and that I should change either the goal or the protagonists.

That antagonists, well, they were almost non-existent. They're the least developed element. I just knew there was one group trying to get Lulu to use her unique power to open portals so that they could invade (a plotline that's now scrapped, because I figured a threat coming from inside the world is more interesting than one coming from outside, plus, I want Lulu to be special because of what she does, not what she's born with). And another group, the ones instigating the Lyphurian war, who don't want Lyphuriaa to be rebuilt again. And that's all I knew about the people who are supposed to bring as much conflict to the story as possible. Needless to say, they really did nothing throughout the story, it's as if they only woke up at the end when the cast finally set foot on Lyphuriaa, or something.

The glaring, glaring problem that took me a lot of time to spot, is the absolute lack of conflict. I had a 2k words outline of the story, but it was just about Lulu, Vlad and a few others going on about their life, smoothly. Then there were a few events that really had nothing to do with that, aka the "main plot".

Nothing is connected

I literally have a line saying, "somehow they find her father". Like, is it something that happens randomly (in which case it's lazy), or is it unimportant enough that we don't even need to show how it happens (in which case why keep it at all?), or it's supposed to be part of the plot (in which case why have the protagonists never even show a sign of wanting to do that)…?

"Somehow" is a red flag practically all of the time in storytelling, as it breaks consistency and believability. I know that in the outline, I wrote "somehow" as a shorthand for "this needs to happen and I have no idea how to connect it so I'm leaving it to you, future self :D" but even so it's a symptom of a larger problem underneath.

Literally the last bullet point of the whole outline: "I almost forgot that the story isn't Vladleen but Lyphuriaa. So I guess here be adventures to take back Lyphuriaa! yay!"

Random fluff adding dead weight

Another easier to fix problem was scenes or entire plotlines that were completely unnecessary to the story. As I said Lyphuriaa exists since my childhood and so, there were a lot of random stuff I added because I thought it was cool and I had no idea how to make a properly structured story, but that I never questioned when overhauling it. It's only when I realized that nothing is set in stone until I say so, and that I'm not bound by these boundaries just because they've been here a long time, sometimes even since the very beginning, that I started cutting stuff and, most importantly, change key parts to make them infinitely more interesting.

The scrapped plotline. The stuff about a virus, and Lyphurians having a special purpose, is scrapped too. Cutting such a huge part of the story led to literally no consequences, and felt so relieving.

Playing around with key variables

For example, I was under the assumption that Vlad can only come in later in the story and not the beginning, and that the Liance between him and Lulu can only happen waaay later when they start having feelings for each other. But one day I had this idea: what if we start the story at the point of their meeting, and have them be lianced right then and there, maybe even against their will?

And that's how one of the key moments in Lyphuriaa was born, bringing a ton of conflict and interesting situations and characterization with it to the table that could never have happened otherwise. Now both protagonists are on-screen right away (especially since Vlad is the most interesting out of the two at first), the Liance functions like a character arc for both of them because it's a problem they have to overcome, that results in a much more interesting relationship than just lovers, and is also an interesting concept to explore right off the bat that can play a part in hooking the reader, and on and on. All of that just from changing two variables.

Yeah, I write a lot in my notes. It's helpful to order my thoughts in the present, and leave a trace of the past for when I find it again in the future.

The fixes

This is getting very long, I wonder if you'd prefer if I split posts like these in parts…

The story goal – thanks to some adjustments and lots of inspirations from the resources below, I could finally find a goal that is similar to what I had in mind, but also agrees with the protagonists and antagonists. Even though I'm presenting this as three bullet points, the truth is, it's all interconnected and should be worked on as a whole, not just one at a time. So, now the main goal of Lyphuriaa is, "to (re)build a place where all Lyphurians can call home". It's not only clearer, but also more personal, and ties in perfectly with the theme of the story (finding the people you belong with – whose side you can call home).

The protagonists now have proper motivations and goals that align with the story goal! They became tied to it way more naturally, plus it connects with the theme again and provides conflict: Lulu is a Lyphurian, and because of her species' defining traits simply cannot feel like she belongs amongst Vampires and other people. Even better, she doesn't feel safe. Lyphurian blood is a luxury for Vampires, their horns valued products, and their glowing skin scare people away (especially since most people aren't aware of the existence of Lyphurians; they may be ghosts for all they know). And thus, coupled to something else that is spoilers, she sees Vlad as the perfect opportunity to stand up for her people and make a place where they can feel at home, together (Vlad has money and means). And what better place for this if not their original homeland? (The only issue still left is to tie Vlad into this as well, I already have an idea for this that also ties into the theme of finding home that needs tweaking, but it's spoilers too so I'll leave it at that.)

The antagonists… are still the least developed, but at least now I'm clear on who are the antagonizing groups, and what's their goal so I can build what they'll do on top of that. I still need to go closer and build them as individuals and give them a personal stake. What's certain is that I want them to be smart and unpredictable, playing an intense game of "who is actually one step ahead the other?" with the protagonists. They are active, just as active as their enemy. There are also a couple other surprise major characters that don't fit in either category, but will stir trouble in trying to achieve their own personal goals – aka pushing the story forward.

You can see the difference, now the story is packed with conflict and potential for conflict everywhere. It's starting to take the shape of one intense ride! There are a ton of little tweaks that improve the story overall, here's a few…

Everything is interconnected

Sharp contrast to how it was before, now every event serves a purpose in either the main plot or in major subplots (I took the time to clearly lay out the different plotlines, that's what the very first image is about; each "row" is one plotline). Not only that, but each character has a link to the main plot, or at least thematic relevance.

The side-character I'm most excited about is Ava, Lulu's bestie. It's through her that a lot of Vladleen's relationship is brought out, because these two mostly don't need to actually talk, they can just send brain signals. Ava is the kind of person who has no filter, can't read the room, but can easily spot subtle differences around her. Kinda hard to explain, but she does a good job of getting Vladleen to show themselves to the reader. Plus, she's gonna be the center of a very big choice (aka conflict) both Vlad and Lulu will have to make, you could say the ultimate choice that will show who they truly are, what they care about more than anything else (and thus ties into the theme as well).

Little preview of this energetic and fun character~

More playing around with variables

As I was reading up on the resources mentioned before, key points of the story kept getting challenged. Long-lost heir to a throne as a plot twist? Check. Heir characterized only by their blood? Check. Mentor who comes take said heir and push them forward themselves instead of letting her walk by herself? Check. Protagonists only acting after antagonist strikes, and never before? Check. Mentor keeping key info secret for no reason? Check.

That's a lot of hidden clichés I was aware of but thought I had added enough uniqueness to them, and I'm glad the articles made me see them in their true form and their bad consequences. So I took all of those and more and switched variables around.

The most important change was a set of tweaks to Lulu and her "heritage". She not only isn't a good fit to be a ruler, but also doesn't want to rule (remember when I said the MCs didn't care about the goal?). I didn't have any specific reason as to why her bloodline was special and why it had to be the ruling one. All of this made her into something I really didn't like: a person defined by what she was born with, not by her actions. She would have never been on this path if she didn't have this blood and powers. I don't know if you can see it but, it all feels like her actions are determined by her blood; she would have always made the same choices even if circumstances were different; she doesn't have free will. And when you know that protagonists' most important role is to make choices… Well.

So the first thing I did was dig into the bloodline's origin, which made me realize that if that's how it originated, then there should be more than one family with the same special characteristics, not just one. Just this change implies so much: the bloodline alone doesn't give you a right to the throne anymore, and Lulu can just rally her people and lead them to the goal, and step down then; Lulu is no longer the only one who can unseal Lyphuriaa, if there are other families, and thus her decision to do so anyway comes from inside her and not outside; imagine the amount of exciting stuff (aka conflict) that can happen with having other bloodline members around!!! and so much more.

Lulu getting back her agency to do what she wants is the highlight, though. I remember reading/watching a pretty long manga/anime (won't say the name to not spoil) where at the end it's revealed that everything that happened, only happened because a higher entity kept resetting time until they got the course of events that they wanted to see. It truly made the whole thing meaningless, just like "it was all a dream!" endings, it means the characters never earned anything by themselves, they're just puppets; I want to avoid that at all cost.

As much as I'd like to keep writing, I think I've covered the most important parts; this is long enough as it is.

Zeroth draft

Alright, I'm done talking about the plot changes, here's something more concrete: I think I'll participate in Camp NaNo this july to get a "zeroth draft" started.

Basically, that's a draft before the first draft. It's not meant to be the first stage of the final product, but something more meta before it. I have no pressure to make it make sense; I just write with what I currently have and improvise to fill in the gaps. What I actually write can range from detailed description of the action, to one-line scenes such as "here they fight". A barebones text that I can then use to make the actual first draft, later.

This is all because, for the longest time I thought I was a planner, but it turns out I may actually be a pantser, discovering the story as I write it. So I want to put that theory to the test and write like a pantser during Camp NaNo. I really, really want to write this story.

Here's a link to my NaNoWriMo profile, where I set myself a goal of 20k words for this month. I have no idea whether it's big or small, we'll see. (feel free to add me if you write too.)

This post took me a whole day to write, but I had fun summarizing these past months' progress. I also really want to try out animating a scene, and coding a prototype with it, but I'll make a post about that when I have something to show.

If you made it this far, I thank you sincerely. I know that people who enjoy long-form content aren't extinct, but it's getting harder to find them. Reblogging and sharing helps, but a simple like can let me know it's reaching some people at least c:

Storytelling resources

Two big resources that pack a ton of valuable advice and storytelling principles.

Limyaael literary rants – about 400 individual essays, mostly geared towards fantasy. Helped me improve my story in so many ways, and I'm still halfway through it. Start from the beginning, everything is useful.

Filmento – an absolutely incredible channel, each of his videos feel like a university-level lecture on storytelling and sometimes cinematography. The video is separated into clear points, always taking example from a movie, so you can see it in action, and it's super engaging and funny to boot. Most of the stuff applies to stories in general, don't let the word "movie" scare you! See his "Film Perfection" and "Anatomy of a Failure" playlists especially.

Taking notes is a must, if I had read/watched through all of these without taking notes it'd have been a monumental waste of time since I'd have forgotten all of it. Also, it's not enough to take them, if you can't find them later, be it tomorrow or in a year (looking at you, people who take notes in Youtube comments).

My Obsidian vault has close to 1,000 individual notes, and in 99% of the time I can find any note I need in less than 5s, even if I don't remember the note's title, because I have so many different ways to search for it. So find yourself a tool that helps you use your notes, not just create and forget them.

After only a few days of reading/watching, when I came back to my story's beginning that I previously thought was perfectly fine, I could 1) immediately spot problems and 2) immediately know how to fix them. Literally, I'm tempted to say that's all you need to learn storytelling in-depth.

Enjoy!

[allnovellas]

Keeping the Beat: How to Maintain Consistent Pacing in Your Story

In storytelling, pacing is like the heartbeat of your narrative, providing rhythm and timing to your story’s unfolding events. It controls the speed at which your story progresses and influences how engaged your readers are throughout your narrative. However, maintaining consistent pacing can be a challenging task for many writers. This guide will provide insights and practical techniques on how…

[candlelightreader]

They need to stop with this thing where these two adorable and intelligent people that live in the same damn house don't seem to have any meaningful conversation off camera. It's like they are Toy Story toys but in reverse. Like Schrodinger's cat, dead whenever the camera isn't on and alive when it is. How do you be married to a man for five entire years (most of the time without the kids in the house, whether it was because they were at Michael's or because they moved out) and never ask him details about his mother? What did he say when they were planning their wedding? Why is he OK with letting such a big lie go with his wife? Embarrassment is not a good enough excuse for a mature human, I'm sorry. How do you live with a woman for five years and never speak of your mother, even to get it over with? Like, "Hey I don't get along with my mother and we have been estranged basically since my family died and I prefer not to speak about her." Simple.

I just need the writers to give them more interesting conflicts if they have to create marital drama. How about someone trying to seduce either of them? How about trying to solve an issue with the kids? Or crap about being an interracial couple in this context? How about taking care of one of the 118 fam? Or better yet focusing on their partnership. When they play detective alongside each other it's always very entertaining. Why not do that more?

I don't want to complain too much though. The universe giveth and the universe also taketh. It is a rare thing to have a happy couple on TV for this many seasons. A canon OTP is a beautiful thing and I don't want them to be broken up for the sake of drama. But a little continuity and a modicum (not total I'm fine with the campiness) of realism would be nice. I can believe them surviving multiple super disasters. But the characterization issues just personally take me out of the story.

I think the lack of planning also explains the way some of the character arcs fall flat or never come back again. And it gets frustrating to lack basic storytelling 101. That is, we should be able to go back to a previous season or even a few episode before and notice that something was up that we just didn't catch. Chekov's gun is meant both as an imperative to minimize unnecessary details that won't pay off later and don't serve the plot, as well as a statement on the importance of remaining coherent if you write things later into the plot. (Otherwise it's a soap opera. Are we watching a soap opera. Omg. Maybe I'm the problem for misreading the genre when its been an elvated soap all this time.)

We see, for instance, that Bobby doesn't react in any way to the conversation about parenting one's parents when they're in Florida, making it clear that the writers had clearly not yet drafted the idea that Bobby parented his dad when he was just a child. And nothing ever indicated anything about his mom until all of a sudden it's a whole thing. Why didn't he think of at least reaching out to his brother as part of step 9 when they made a whole thing about it with Amir? Oh and we can see this trend very well earlier, when Wendell is introduced out of the blue as this supremely important character just for the purpose of providing Bobby with angst. I don't mean to say they should've thought about this in season 2. But they could've done a better job of soft launching Wendell over the course of a few episodes leading up to the one he died in, so we could care about him. Thank the goddesses that Peter Krause is a great actor because I enjoyed seeing him act despite not feeling much attachment to Wendell. I have cared more about random victims of a random call the team responds to than I did for Wendell.

Hen cheating in season 1 is perhaps the worse this trend ever was. But to be fair, everyone was all over the place in season 1. I would also add Buck's sexual orientation. I truly didn't see this coming at all. We don't get to see Buck coming to terms with it in very subtle ways (ones we may even have missed on first watch) before rushing into his first same sex relationship. If you rewatch after finding out, there is no indication, only inferences you can make in hindsight to make it floe better. That is not the same as subtext and hidden meaning!

And this would be fine if they did not make the bisexuality a big deal. But they do! He's not just a character who happens to be bi to the point where no one truly discusses its meaning. No. They make his coming out a whole thing! It is something he has to deal with and speak of, it changes him, and becomes something that is woven crucially into his character development and arc. So in that sense, you can't have it just appear out of nowhere narratively speaking. You can't just all of a sudden tell us he was checking guys out. You have to show us.

A good dropping hints they do is with Amir. Not solving that in one go and dragging it out all the way to the fire being connected to Bobby and Amir's little misadventure is great. There is a thread there that allows it to feel satisfactory, even as one may criticize the fact that that was a convoluted way to burn the house.

(And evidently you get another instance of complete communication breakdown because Bobby doesn't tell Athena shit and she also does some stupid shit like invite Amir then go after him with a damn gun after telling her kids she's by the books and cops don't abuse their power.)

Ultimately, I think narratively what is wrong with the writing is tied to relying so much on just telling us things instead of showing us (instead they take this energy in building backstories for victims that rival those of the main characters sometimes). We are TOLD about how convoluted the relationship Bobby and his mom is, instead of being shown things the way we were with his dad, for instance. We are TOLD about this failed relationship with his brother instead of being shown. As a result, I don't care much. I can just forget these conversations ever happened and it won't change a thing.

While they don't have to have figured everything out referring to where the story will end, at least they should map out character plots over the course of each season. They need a show bible! An outline of who these characters are exactly, even though we may never get to explore all those aspects, would avoid derailing characters just for zhuzh.

Anyway, I really love Athena and Bobby to death. I think they are fantastic characters. I just wish they were better handled and their arcs more carefully flushed out individually and as a couple, so that they don't so often just do things for the sake of drama that simply do not mesh with the characters they are projected to be most of the time. I think Angela Bassett and Peter Krause deserve better stories to sink their teeth into. Let them act with subtlety during foreshadowing so that they may get a satisfactory build up! And the audience deserves not to be taken for goldfish brains.

I acknowledge that several interruptions skewed the development of the plot, from the pandemic to the writers' and actors strikes to the move in networks. I really hate how we have some season that are so short. We could've had so much more with an 18 ep pilot season! Nevertheless, the MO of just dropping a random drama is a feature at this point, but a bug.

Phew. Glad I got that off my chest.

[rrcraft-and-lore]

Credit to: Ian Sanders for the post.

I love this

[brohecking]

### Opening Your Voice: The Art and Science of Blogging

In today's electronic age, blogging has become greater than simply a pastime; it is an effective system for self-expression, knowledge sharing, and even business promo. Whether you're a seasoned writer or a beginner aiming to discover your imagination, blogging offers an avenue to get in touch with an audience that reverberates with your thoughts and concepts. With millions of blog sites available online, the secret to sticking out exists in locating your unique voice and sharpening your craft. This trip can be both electrifying and challenging as you browse the ins and outs of material production, audience interaction, and search engine optimization optimization.Moreover, blogging is not almost writing; it's about developing a community. Engaging with visitors via remarks, social media, and e-newsletters promotes a feeling of belonging and encourages discussion. It's necessary to recognize your target market's requirements and rate of interests, crafting material that not just educates yet likewise inspires. As you start your blog writing experience, keep in mind that consistency is essential. On a regular basis upgrading your blog with fresh, relevant content not just improves your visibility but also supports a loyal audience. So, whether you wish to share your traveling experiences, provide understandings on personal money, or delve right into the most recent tech trends, the world of blog writing awaits your unique perspective.

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[ajaneofmanytalents]

To build upon this, I did hear an interesting exception to this recently! Depending on the type of character development planned and the intended audience, do consider putting the backstory first; otherwise, readers/listeners/viewers might have very low interest in the character, and consequently in the story.

The example given when I heard it was Marlin in Finding Nemo. If he'd just been a jerk over-protective father for the first three-quarters of the movie, the gut-punch of "my wife and whole family were killed and I couldn't protect them" would likely be insufficient to counter the momentum of emotional disinterest due to his behaviour so far. By making it the first scene, though, the audience can better understand Marlin's behaviour and cheer his emotional growth through the movie.

Not trying to hijack, I just thought it was neat and wanted to "yes and" :)

A tip for excellent writing I just learned: Don't introduce a character with their Dramatic Backstory. It makes readers go "oh alright this is the Dramatic Background Story Character" and establishes a baseline of Tragic, either for the story as a whole or this character in particular. With no contrast of light and dark, pure darkness isn't impactful, it just looks like the absence of anything to look at.

If you really want someone's dramatic backstory to hit the audience like a gut punch, let them get to know the character first. That way the dark backstory doesn't come off as a description of who they are, but an explanation to why they are the way they are. Bonus points for connecting it to something that's already been established as a part of the character - what a devastating blow to suddenly put together that hold on, that funny quirky thing that they always do is a fucking trauma response.

[alfanophant]

The Transformative Power of Blogging: Why You Must Beginning Today

In today's digital landscape, blog writing has actually become an effective tool for self-expression, expertise sharing, and even service development. With numerous blogs offered online, the medium uses a distinct chance for individuals to connect with a worldwide audience, share their interests, and establish their knowledge in various fields. Whether you're a hobbyist aiming to document your journey, a specialist aiming to construct an individual brand name, or an entrepreneur looking for to engage with customers, blogging provides a flexible platform to convey your message effectively. The beauty of blogging lies in its access; any person with a web link can create and share their ideas, ideas, and experiences.Moreover, blog writing encourages creativity and vital thinking while cultivating a sense of neighborhood. Engaging with visitors with comments and social media can bring about meaningful communications and cooperations, boosting the overall experience for both blog writers and their audiences. Furthermore, regular blogging can boost composing abilities and boost self-confidence in interaction. As you share your insights and stories, you may locate your voice and design, eventually leading to individual and specialist development. In a world that flourishes on information, starting a blog site can be a transformative journey that not only affects your life yet additionally resonates with others. So, why wait? Study the world of blog writing and let your voice be heard!

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[ancientroyalblood]

Creating Well-Defined Antagonists: Going Beyond the 'Bad Guy'

Writing is not just about heroes and their journeys; it’s also about the captivating dance with antagonists. These characters are more than mere obstacles; they are the counterbalance, the yin to the hero’s yang. However, crafting a well-defined antagonist is not simply about painting a ‘bad guy’ on your story’s canvas. It’s about understanding their depths, motivations, and complexities. In this…

[tori102098]

The Transformative Power of Blog Writing: Why You Need To Start Today

In today's digital landscape, blog writing has actually become a powerful device for self-expression, understanding sharing, and even service growth. With countless blogs available online, the medium supplies an unique possibility for people to get in touch with a worldwide target market, share their interests, and develop their experience in numerous areas. Whether you're an enthusiast wanting to record your trip, a professional aiming to develop a personal brand, or an entrepreneur seeking to involve with customers, blogging gives a functional platform to communicate your message properly. The appeal of blogging lies in its ease of access; anybody with a web connection can develop and share their thoughts, concepts, and experiences.Moreover, blog writing motivates imagination and important believing while fostering a feeling of neighborhood. Involving with readers with comments and social networks can bring about purposeful communications and partnerships, boosting the total experience for both blog owners and their audiences. Furthermore, routine blogging can enhance writing abilities and improve self-confidence in communication. As you share your understandings and stories, you might locate your voice and design, eventually causing individual and expert growth. In a globe that thrives on details, starting a blog can be a transformative journey that not just influences your life but also resonates with others. So, why wait? Dive right into the world of blog writing and allow your voice be listened to!

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[seaspacesolace]

The Transformative Power of Blog Writing: Why You Ought To Start Today

In today's digital landscape, blogging has actually arised as a powerful device for self-expression, expertise sharing, and also service development. With millions of blogs readily available online, the medium supplies an unique chance for individuals to link with a global target market, share their interests, and establish their proficiency in various fields. Whether you're an enthusiast looking to record your journey, a specialist intending to develop a personal brand name, or an entrepreneur seeking to engage with customers, blogging provides a flexible platform to convey your message efficiently. The beauty of blogging lies in its availability; any individual with a web link can create and share their thoughts, concepts, and experiences.Moreover, blog writing encourages creativity and essential believing while fostering a feeling of area. Involving with visitors with comments and social networks can lead to significant interactions and collaborations, boosting the total experience for both blog writers and their target markets. Furthermore, regular blogging can enhance writing abilities and improve confidence in communication. As you share your understandings and tales, you could discover your voice and design, eventually leading to individual and specialist development. In a world that grows on details, beginning a blog site can be a transformative trip that not just impacts your life yet likewise resonates with others. So, why wait? Study the world of blogging and allow your voice be listened to!

Read more here https://jn8.s3-web.br-sao.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/Retirement-life/Writing-Community/Autobiography-writing.html