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Characterization, Dialogue, Goal, Motivation and Conflict, Personal Motivation, Plotting, Setting, Showing vs. Telling, Themes and Motifs

Writing Lesson 3.23_ Beginning with Theme in Mind

By , on February 17th, 2012

I recently viewed a movie with a refreshingly brilliant script. Sadly I can’t recommend the movie by title because Hollywood felt compelled to add explicit scenes, but let me see if I can describe why the movie impressed me.

The writer began with the theme in mind:

“Communication is more about understanding each others’ [...]

February 17th, 2012 | Category: Characterization, Dialogue, Goal, Motivation and Conflict, Personal Motivation, Plotting, Setting, Showing vs. Telling, Themes and Motifs | Start the comments | Print this Page
Themes and Motifs

Writing Lesson 3.12-The Theme’s the Thing

By , on November 11th, 2011

I majored in architecture, and our family is in the process of buying and remodeling a house, so perhaps you’ll understand if a lot of things lately make my thoughts turn to building.

Whether you’re constructing a story or designing a house, it’s always a good idea to begin with the end in mind.

[...]

November 11th, 2011 | Category: Themes and Motifs | Start the comments | Print this Page
Personal Motivation, Themes and Motifs

Writing Lesson 2.30 – Resurrect Your Reason for Writing

By , on April 22nd, 2011

Quick Reminder!

Don’t forget our NOVELWritingSite Writing Contest deadline is May 1. Check the contest page for details!

 

And now for our Regularly Scheduled post…

 

This is the day Christendom celebrates Good Friday, and in three days (by the traditional Jewish method of counting) we will celebrate Resurrection Sunday or Easter.

[...]

April 22nd, 2011 | Category: Personal Motivation, Themes and Motifs | Start the comments | Print this Page
Plotting, Themes and Motifs

Writing Lesson 2.27 – Begin with the End in Mind

By , on March 25th, 2011

Some people seem to think that to tell a story, you just start talking and to write a story, you just start writing. Simply string two or more words together to make a sentence and repeat until you have a book, right? If you’ve tried your hand at writing, you know it’s not that [...]

March 25th, 2011 | Category: Plotting, Themes and Motifs | Start the comments | Print this Page
Goal, Motivation and Conflict, Hooks, Themes and Motifs

Writing Lesson 2.18 – What Are You Talking About?

By , on January 21st, 2011

If you babysit or have younger siblings, maybe you’ve had a child burst into your presence and start talking a mile a minute. Having no context, you probably stopped said kiddo after a minute or two and asked, “What ARE you talking about?”

Readers need context.

It would be a mistake to just dive [...]

January 21st, 2011 | Category: Goal, Motivation and Conflict, Hooks, Themes and Motifs | Start the comments | Print this Page