Stormy Weather

Weather is more than just the change of atmospheric conditions! It’s fraught with symbolism—especially bad weather. Need to portend a change? Use weather!  A few quick examples: The crack of thunder after a character’s ominous OR foreboding OR creepy...

Character Violence

BaM!  SmAcK! POW!  Violence! We love it! And in many genres it’s 100% necessary! Most of us include some type of violence in our novels. In literature, violence can be: thematic: Think Fight Club or The Old Testament or Heart of Darkness or The Things They...

Character Illness

Have you created a character who  sickens and/or dies? Or maybe a character—for plot’s sake—just has TO GO! Make it awesome by having their illness be SYMBOLIC or IRONIC or DIVINE . Writers often use illness to reveal a character’s: flaws or...

Character Names

You have a great idea for a story! Now you just have to give those characters names! Name them with purpose! Names are important! Why?     A name can: identify 1) personality; 2) temperament; 3) a physical trait; or 4) a character flaw or strength. be...
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