Category: Writing

Everybody was Kung-Fu Writing–A Round of Words in 80 Days

Everybody was Kung Fu Writing Those geeks type fast as lighting It was a little bit frightening Adverbs with expert timing Okay, I’ll stop. Yes I was going to unplug completely and rest. I’m a workaholic and it helps that I love what I do. Today is the start of the Round of Words in 80 …

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Struggling with Burnout? Word Poop Happens

Whoa. Sorry about that. Thanks for cleaning me up. We are now over halfway through 2011, and the New Year’s Resolutions are long forgotten, dulled by the screams of children racing through your house on a sugar high. Perhaps this was the year you vowed to take that novel more seriously, and you set out with bold promises …

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The Secret to Mastering Plot–Getting Primal

Today we are going to discuss gimmick and fundamentals of a good story. First, gimmick. Here is the thing. There are only so many plots. DO NOT try to get creative with plot. Everything has been done. Seriously. There are only so many elements on the Periodic Table, yet everything in the universe is made …

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What Star Trek Can Teach Us About Great Writing

Happy Monday! Last week, we picked on the poor Star Wars prequels. What went wrong? Better yet, what lessons can we, as writers, take away from some serious storytelling blunders? If you missed this discussion, go here, and check out the comments. Some people way smarter than me stopped by, that’s for certain. So, this …

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What Went Wrong with the Star Wars Prequels?

I am a serious nerd. I grew up on J.R.R. Tolkein and played Dungeons and Dragons all through high school. Trekkie conventions, RPGs, Renaissance festivals, you name it. I had the punch mark on my Geek Card. I still remember being 3 years old standing in line with my father and uncle for hours as we …

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