May222013

(Source: dangerousinstincts)
8PM
“Where do the words go
When we have said them?” Margaret Atwood, from “The Small Cabin”  

(Source: pulmonaire, via dancefloortigerlady)
6PM
“Anne Sexton sometimes seemed like a woman without skin. She felt everything so intensely, had so little capacity to filter out pain that everyday events often seemed unbearable to her. Paradoxically it is also that skinlessness which makes a poet. One must have the gift of language, but even a great gift is useless without the other curse: the eyes that see so sharply they often want to close.” Erica Jong regarding Anne Sexton (via threeuniverses)
May172013
“Every life is a piece of music. Like music we are finite events, unique arrangements. Sometimes harmonious. Sometimes dissonant.” Hannibal Lecter 

(Source: nbchannibal)
11AM

WriteWorld: Developing your Characters and Making Them Interesting

referenceforwriters:

Recently I got a message about a person struggling on how to develop their characters, as they normally wrote about already created characters—also about how to make them interesting and make the people reading your story actually want to continue reading it.

I’d say…

11AM
“Words tend to fill the mind, pictures tend to clear it.” (via magnificentruin)
11AM

(Source: teachingliteracy, via mcavoys)
11AM
“All drama is conflict. Without conflict, you have no action; without action, you have no character; without character, you have no story; without story, you have no screenplay.” Syd Field, Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting 

(Source: writeworld)
May162013
writeworld: amandaonwriting: We are often asked if characters should describe themselves at Writers Write. We are asked how they could describe themselves. When we came across this post by Stephanie Orges, we wanted to share some of her ideas with you. (If you want to read the full article, follow the link at the end) Six Ways First Person Narrators Can Describe Themselves By Stephanie Orges 1. Don’t describe him at allDo your readers have to know what the protagonist looks like to understand the plot? If not, consider leaving it out altogether.  2. Give it to your reader straightIf you are actually telling the story with frequent quirky asides to your “dear reader”, your hero can simply describe himself during introductions. But be warned: don’t try to force it if this isn’t your style. 3. Embarrass themMake them self-conscious about a physical flaw. She only smiles close-mouthed because she’s embarrassed by the gap in her teeth. He wishes he had biceps like the head jock. 4. Compare and contrast with another character‘My daughter has my crooked smile, but her father’s blue eyes’. These can even create a poetic effect, as you can simultaneously compare and contrast personality traits as well. 5. Use dialogueHer best friend gently explains dark roots are out of fashion. His father remarks he really ought to cut his hair (he looks like a hippie). Her enemy asks if she’s a natural redhead. Use compliments and nicknames. 6. Show, don’t tellIf they are short, have them struggle to reach something most others could get. If tall, have them duck through doorways. If they are unattractive, make them self-conscious around people of the opposite sex. Your hero’s appearance is reflected in the way other characters react to it. Read the full article: Source Source for Image Awesome advice here! More helpful tips on describing first person narrators can be found in Literary Criticism, the Mirror Cliche, and Describing a First-Person Narrator.  -C I think the first two are less helpful. Point #1 ignores showing that should be done anyway (see #6) and #2 is outdated storytelling. The rest are very useful.

writeworld:

amandaonwriting:

We are often asked if characters should describe themselves at Writers Write. We are asked how they could describe themselves. When we came across this post by Stephanie Orges, we wanted to share some of her ideas with you. (If you want to read the full article, follow the link at the end)

Six Ways First Person Narrators Can Describe Themselves

By Stephanie Orges

1. Don’t describe him at all
Do your readers have to know what the protagonist looks like to understand the plot? If not, consider leaving it out altogether. 

2. Give it to your reader straight
If you are actually telling the story with frequent quirky asides to your “dear reader”, your hero can simply describe himself during introductions. But be warned: don’t try to force it if this isn’t your style.

3. Embarrass them
Make them self-conscious about a physical flaw. She only smiles close-mouthed because she’s embarrassed by the gap in her teeth. He wishes he had biceps like the head jock.

4. Compare and contrast with another character
‘My daughter has my crooked smile, but her father’s blue eyes’. These can even create a poetic effect, as you can simultaneously compare and contrast personality traits as well.

5. Use dialogue
Her best friend gently explains dark roots are out of fashion. His father remarks he really ought to cut his hair (he looks like a hippie). Her enemy asks if she’s a natural redhead. Use compliments and nicknames.

6. Show, don’t tell
If they are short, have them struggle to reach something most others could get. If tall, have them duck through doorways. If they are unattractive, make them self-conscious around people of the opposite sex. Your hero’s appearance is reflected in the way other characters react to it.

Read the full article: Source

Source for Image

Awesome advice here! More helpful tips on describing first person narrators can be found in Literary Criticism, the Mirror Cliche, and Describing a First-Person Narrator. 

-C

I think the first two are less helpful. Point #1 ignores showing that should be done anyway (see #6) and #2 is outdated storytelling. The rest are very useful.
11AM
“Art is the opposite of nature…a work of art can only come from the interior of a man…it shows the inner image of the soul—the images on the back side of the eyes” Edvard Munch, Letters (via wryer)

(Source: kateymichelelikes, via missellacronin)
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