I came to the recent realisation how much I dislike narrative stakes which rely solely on life-or-death situations. This realisation was prompted by thinking about spoilers, and how I interact with spoilers. That whole topic is a separate one, but this particular realisation involves narrative tension. Narrative tension is what keeps an audience in: it’sContinue reading “On the shallowness of life or death stakes played straight”
Tag Archives: writing process
On broadening character voice (by writing porn)
This is the tenth and final in a series relating to how writing sex in fiction is beneficial to you as a writer. The previous post can be found here. I’ve been talking a lot about a writer having words in their arsenal and making sure they aren’t afraid of any given word (even theContinue reading “On broadening character voice (by writing porn)”
On figuring out physical logistics (by writing porn)
This is the eighth in a series relating to how writing sex in fiction is beneficial to you as a writer. The previous post can be found here. Something I hear a lot from writers — well, something I observe writers saying a lot — is that they have a lot of trouble with fightContinue reading “On figuring out physical logistics (by writing porn)”
On using understandable language
This morning one of the mailing lists to which I’m subscribed linked me to this article about how jargon relates to trust by Shane Snow. I like a lot of what Snow has to say (it’s his mailing list), and he generally makes me think. What he had to say on this occasion isn’t newContinue reading “On using understandable language”
On habits and friction
The best book on habits I’ve ever read is ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear. I recommend it mostly because in every other book I’ve seen potentially helpful suggestions, but no real overarching framework. Clear breaks mentality and psychology down into something useable and customisable, without judgement. I’m due for a reread, but one of theContinue reading “On habits and friction”
On mediums and The Novel
With her permission, I’m using my coauthor as an example today. So, my coauthor is a phenomenal writer. When she’s writing at her best, she has such emotion and humour, and has techniques I honestly love to emulate. The thing is that when she’s writing at her best, she isn’t writing novels. She’s roleplaying. WeContinue reading “On mediums and The Novel”
On the world as villain
There’s two kinds of hopeful stories. One with the world as the villain, and one with the world as a victim. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. I keep running up against well-written media, often recommended to me by friends, which should appeal and instead leaves me feeling drained. And I’m very emotionallyContinue reading “On the world as villain”
Aurichalcum Publishing 