I never used to create new year resolutions for myself. Somehow, it always seemed nonsensical. However as I get older, juggle my life as a mom, a wife and a small business owner (oh yes! Creating fantastical characters and incredible words for readers is a serious business. Just ask J. K. Rowling. It made her the richest woman in the UK in 2017!), I realize it’s essential to come up with a plan.
I’m currently reading an urban fantasy tale. It’s all part of developing a stronger understanding of the expected Tropes in that genre so I can write stronger stories.
Anyway, the book is super fast-paced. WOW! As in if a story is supposed to have peaks and valleys, this one is all peaks. There’s very little time to breathe. I know authors are told to pace their stories and the action in their stories but something tells me breakneck tales are beloved by a large number of readers.
Continue reading “Improve a scene: Urban Fantasy story”
I’m going to carry on with my book reads this year. So without further ado, here are the remaining books I devoured in 2016.
The Scarlet Thread by D.S. Murphy
Blame this guy for my having listened to Fallen in audiobook lol! He apparently advertised The Scarlet Thread by piggybacking on the upcoming Fallen movie. He didn’t say go read Fallen but reading his advertising approach caused me to read both that book as well as his short story, The Scarlet Thread. I enjoyed his story, fortunately and will look out for the full novel when it comes out. The characters he created were interesting, the universe was intriguing and I’m sure the longer piece will be only better. Oh, and I’m truly jealous that he created his own stunning cover.
The struggle to write that is.
After dealing with a sad family situation, it seems like I’m left with little motivation to be creative. What that means is that I’m unable to focus on writing tasks right now and it’s a bummer.
I have deadlines that I simply can’t meet and I really don’t know how to at this point.
That, plus the fact that the two computers in my house with Microsoft Word on them are both not working. Meaning, I can’t get to reviewing the editing notes I received from the editor on Book 1.
Meh.
I’ve chosen to read instead and have recently completed the following books:
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I love science fiction and watch it religiously. Luckily, there are quite a few sci fi franchise options to indulge in, one of which is Star Wars.
Recently, I was on an American Airlines flight and got to watch Star Wars VII for a second time. The first time I watched it, the movie was boring to me. I watched it as a regular consumer of creative content but didn’t feel any attachment to the characters or the story.
So, given that experience, I wasn’t interested in a second viewing, but I am so glad I did it because I learned a lot about storytelling from watching the movie again. And as a novice writer, I’m happy to take good tips from almost anywhere. (I lie. I’ll take ’em from anywhere.)
Continue reading “#WritingLessons from Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens”
F. F. JOHN 