Humans are social creatures; we’ve lived in communities forever. Our survival depended on it, so it’s only natural that we crave social validation. However, today it might look like buying the trendiest jacket, following norms, or shaping ourselves to fit in. Sometimes, though, society doesn’t accept who you are. Sometimes the problem isn’t that you won’t fit in, it’s that you can’t. In literature, that’s portrayed as man vs. society.…
Do you know the self-conflicting feelings between what you’re doing and what you think you should be doing? For example, eating junk food when you know you should be eating healthier. It’s a clash between your thoughts. You want to do one thing, but you’re doing another thing. You desire something, aspire to be a certain person, be in a certain position, have a certain idea about yourself, which isn’t…
A conflict is the reason the story is being told. The protagonist has a goal, but something prevents them from reaching it, and they must overcome that obstacle to achieve it. There are many different types of conflicts, but a story mainly consists of internal and external conflicts. In this post, you’ll learn what internal and external conflicts are, an example of internal and external conflict, how you can create…
Have you ever read a book that explains the history of coal in excruciating detail? It explains everything from how heat and pressure turn plants into coal to how, when coal is burned, it releases a large amount of CO2, and before you are halfway through, you forget what the point even was. If I ever picked up a book and was greeted with that introduction, I would’ve burned it.…
Clear writing is one of the most underrated skills in fiction. Conveying your story clearly is as crucial as the story itself. Many writers mistake a complicated story for a good story. They add too many elements in an unstructured fashion, which makes the story difficult to understand, and they sometimes don’t even realize it. However, you are here because you want to learn how to write clearly. This guide…
Imagine a story with no actions… Well, it’s not possible. Without actions, nothing happens, nothing changes, and there’s nothing to tell. Actions are deeds that make up the plot and move it forward. They’re the backbone of storytelling and the component that allows the hero to venture on an adventure. Despite the importance of action in a story, it can sometimes be difficult to write actions. In this post, we’ll…
If your story starts to slow down and lose momentum in the middle, don’t worry. It happens to the best of us. After introducing your world, character, and the conflict, it will feel like the middle is just there to fill the page until you reach the climax. Despite that feeling, the middle is the largest part of the story. It’s the story. That’s where character development and the plot…
The middle of the story isn’t just a bridge connecting the beginning with the ending. It’s where most of the story takes place. This is where the protagonist grows and handles the ever-escalating conflict. They interact with other characters and eventually prepare for what awaits them at the climax. However, things can slow down; that is why you need to insert a midpoint twist. A midpoint twist can be what…
You have written the perfect story with the perfect characters who have the perfect flaws with the perfect ending, just for readers to open your book and hate the dialogue. Maybe it is ineffective or unnatural, but without a doubt, it is killing your story. Dialogue is intimidating, especially for writers who lack experience. Dialogue can feel unrealistic and ineffective. Every line you write may feel like it is just…
Every writer knows what writer’s block is. It usually starts like this: open up a document, type in a few words, delete them, write them again, and then turn off the screen. Your head is empty, and so is your stomach. After a good meal and numerous cups of coffee, you realize you still feel the same. Writer’s block is not only an inconvenience; it can be a significant hindrance.…
