Writing the Hidden Identity Trope

July 24, 2024 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

Last week, I posted this story about writing fish-out-of-water stories—stories about people who find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings and circumstances and struggle to fit in. Another trope I enjoy reading is the hidden identity, in which the protagonist hides some aspect of themselves to achieve a certain goal. I’ve always liked the suspense that builds as the character strives to keep their secret self hidden from others.

These characters lead double lives, with one foot in one setting and the other foot in another. They choose to conceal their true identities to protect themselves or the ones they love.

You probably recognize the secret identity trope from popular culture.

In adventure and superhero stories, our hero often poses as a regular guy or gal on the street. Think of Superman’s Clark Kent who works for the local newspaper and meets his love interest, Lois Lane.
In mystery novels and spy thrillers, the hero goes undercover to investigate a crime. This might be especially true for amateur sleuths who often disguise themselves to get close to their target.
In fantasy and science fiction, the hero must often hide an aspect of themselves to protect themselves from a terrible, untimely demise. Harry Potter, for instance, must hide his magic powers when he returns home to his muggle parents, though they make it difficult for him to do so.
In romance, the protagonist hides some aspect of themselves that they perceive interferes with their ability to find true love. For example, a prince or princess lives among commoners to escape their royal duties, or an heiress who hides her wealthy upbringing to seem more normal and attract someone who will love her for who she is not for her money.
In literary fiction, a character may adopt a new persona to hide from danger. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah comes to mind. Protagonist Isabelle becomes an underground messenger known by her code name The Nightingale to support the Allies during World War II.

According to First Draft Pro blog, the hidden identity trope explores themes of privacy, nature of self, duality and the consequences of leading a double life. There is often the conflict between the public face presented to others versus the personal self that those closest to you know best.

Like fish-out-of-water stories, hidden identity tropes resonate with the human experience. After all, who hasn’t presented a different persona in public settings while keeping their personal identity hidden? Why else would Halloween be such a popular holiday? Because it allows people to disguise their true selves and adopt a new persona that may be truly different from who they really are.

So how should you write these hidden identity stories? There are different approaches you can take that can build suspense while making your character relatable.

Approach 1: The Surprise Reveal
In this scenario, when the character’s true identity is revealed toward the end of the story, it usually surprises other characters and readers. It makes for a great plot twist. Jodi Picoult’s Leaving Time has one of the best and most surprising plot twists when readers discover the true identity of one of the main characters. It moves the story in an entirely new direction.

Approach 2: Going Along for the Ride
Readers know the true identity of the protagonist early on, even though other characters haven’t learned about it yet. Readers are taken along for the ride as the protagonist fights to keep his identity hidden. Superhero stories are constructed this way. In Superman, we know who Clark Kent is long before Lois Lane does.

Approach 3: Everybody’s in the Act
In this scenario, each of the main characters is hiding some aspect of themselves or guarding a secret. One by one, each of their secret identities is revealed. In Hallmark Channel’s The Christmas Train, for example, during a long cross country train ride, we learn about the cast of characters which include several actors hired by a scheming director to push the two romantic leads together. Other characters not involved in the plot have their own secret identities, including one woman who is actually a private investigator trying to uncover a string of thefts on the train.

When done well, the hidden identity trope can create suspense and keep your readers guessing about what secret the character is hiding and who your character really is.

To learn more about the hidden identity trope in romance stories, check out this post by Seacrow Books.

Entertain Readers with “Fish out of Water” Stories

July 17, 2024 ~ The Regal Writer ~ 1 Comment

One of the most commonly used tropes in story telling is the “fish out of water.” When written well, it can produce some laughs and high entertainment value for your readers.

A “fish out of water” entails a person who is suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar world and faces numerous challenges when they try to fit in. They have to learn new rules of behavior, sometimes adopt a new dress code, and learn the language of the locals. Sometimes they can be at such a loss about what they’re supposed to do that they make things up as they go along. It can present some uncomfortable and hilarious moments.

You likely will recognize the trope from numerous movies, TV series and fiction. Think of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz who wakes up after a tornado in Munchkin Land. Or Harry Potter who is transported to Hogwarts and is introduced to the world of magic. Or Mork, the extraterrestrial in the 70s sitcom Mork and Mindy whose errant spaceship lands on Earth.

The “fish out of water” story isn’t just for fantastical stories like Harry Potter and The Wizard of Oz. There are numerous examples you’ll find in everyday life.

In Hallmark Channel’s Summer in the City, a young woman with her own fashion business in a small Ohio town gets a job offer in New York City. How does she navigate life in the big city?
In The Beach at Painter’s Cove by Shelley Noble (which I just finished reading), a wealthy family suddenly loses their fortune and must figure out ways to earn a living.
In Open House by Elizabeth Berg, a middle-aged woman whose 20-year marriage ends in divorce. How does she navigate life as a divorcee?
A young pianist who loses a hand in a freak accident and must re-learn how to play using a prosthetic hand. (I made this one up.)

You get the idea.

Funny thing is, we’ve all been in situations ourselves where we felt like the fish out of water—starting a new job, getting married, getting divorced, having a baby, moving to a big city or a small town, winning the lottery, etc. In each of these scenarios, we experience that feeling of not knowing what we’re doing and needing guidance to simply survive. We want so much to fit in that we inadvertently stumble over our efforts, sometimes with embarrassing, if not humorous results.

That’s what makes these stories so relatable. Because we’ve all been there. We all know those moments of embarrassment of being found out, the secret fears of not fitting in. Of stumbling over new rules of behavior, like not understanding why you can’t utter the name of Lord Voldemort or how a modest Midwestern girl should hail a cab in Manhattan.

It’s also what makes these stories so fun to read and write. There are so many scenarios to show how complicated and challenging life becomes when your protagonist is thrown in the deep end of the pool and they must fend for themselves. Learning to live in this new world is the basis for your story, and how your protagonist deals with the trials and triumphs of adjusting is the basis of their character arc. It’s how we see them grow and adapt over time.

(Test yourself. Check out my latest writing prompt on my website, or create your own fish-out-of-water story.)

Being a fish out of water pertains to our writing careers too. Think about the situations you’ve found yourself in where you felt out of your element:

* Writing in a new genre that you’ve never written before.
* Attending a writer’s conference for the first time (in person, not on Zoom), surrounded by strangers.
* Approaching an editor about your latest project when you’ve never dealt with an editor before
* When you attempt to write in the first place
* Self-publishing your first novel

Being a “fish out of water” means trying new things, experimenting with different ideas. Visit places you’ve never seen, take a class, start a hobby, join a club. Don’t be afraid of embarrassing yourself when you find yourself in unfamiliar territory.

Feeling like a “fish out of water” is as common as breathing. Embrace the feelings of newness, of being the odd man out. Sure, it feels uncomfortable at first, but it can inspire stories of new adventures to entertain your readers.

Protagonists Behaving Badly

July 10, 2024 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

Photo by Mihai Stefan Photography on Pexels.com

Remember to check out the latest writing prompt on my website!

I’ve noticed an interesting trend in the books I’ve been reading lately. More and more, I’m reading stories with protagonists who aren’t the most likeable people on earth.

I’m not sure if it’s the types of books I’m reading, or that my self-study of writing has made me more aware of characters behaving badly. Perhaps I’m letting my moral compass dictate which characters I should and should not like. In any case, over the past year and a half, I’ve come across numerous protagonists with questionable habits and decision-making capabilities. Some of them I wouldn’t want to hang out with, let alone share a glass of wine.

I don’t necessarily like the term “unlikeable” in this sense. It implies that the character has no redeeming qualities, which is often not true. In you’re familiar with the Save the Cat storytelling method, writers are encouraged to give even the most awful villains some positive trait to balance out their personality. For example, after your character robs a bank and stabs a bank teller, he might come home and play with his two German Shepherds, a scene that shows his softer side.

Writing an unlikeable or unreliable protagonist isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Their flawed personalities might create chaos for the people around them and for themselves. Without their flaws, you wouldn’t have a story arc, an interesting, well-founded protagonist or conflict and tension that can keep readers reading.

Unlikeable protagonists can still be people we root for in the end. They can still earn our respect, even our compassion. It’s not always easy, but it can be done.

By my count, there are at least seven types of unlikeable protagonists (known in publishing as the anti-hero, which conjures up the song by Taylor Swift.) These characters simply get in their own way. I’ve listed them below along with a corresponding example.

1. Protagonists who don’t act their own age. These Immature characters act more like bratty teenagers than the mature adult they should be. Their behavior and decision making sets them up for trouble.

Example: The Girl I Was by Geneva Rose

2. A clingy protagonist or one involved in a co-dependent relationship. These individuals are so closely intertwined with another person that they lose sight of who they are and who the other person is. They’re so afraid of the future that they cling to the other person. Yet, they don’t recognize how the relationship has stifled their own existence.

Example: One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle.

3. Protagonists with an addiction. Characters with an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol can find themselves in all sorts of trouble because their addition often clouds their perceptions and judgment. At their harshest moments, it can be difficult to feel anything for them. But of course, that is the basis of their conflict. Can they begin to resolve their conflicts despite the impact of their addictions?

Example: The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware.

4. Protagonists who are unwilling to change their ways despite the truths they have faced. In a typical character arc, the character should experience some growth from point A to point F. But sometimes, the character doesn’t change much, no matter what they have learned or experienced in the story. Rather than embrace the changes that the plot begs them to accept, there is some aspect that scares them so much that they run and return to their old way of life.

Example: Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult

5. A protagonist with an obsessive personality. After tragedy strikes or a personal crisis, the protagonist focuses all their time and attention on fighting a cause or in caring for another person. But when that character becomes so obsessed with that they lose sight of their own needs or the needs of other people in their lives, it can create unbreakable bonds. Only when a crisis occurs with other characters do they realize that their life is out of balance.

Example: Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

6. A protagonist who treats others with disdain and arrogance. It’s hard to like someone who treats others like they’re dirt. At first glance, they may not have any redeeming qualities. Yet, if you look more closely, they usually do, and it’s usually buried under a veneer of anger or sadness or loneliness. Take, for example, Carrie Soto might be standoffish and arrogant around her competitors, but you have to admire her work ethic, her single-minded determination to win every tournament, and most important, her devotion to her father.

Example: Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins-Reid

7. A character who takes advantage of the good, kind nature of a friend or loved one. These individuals have learned to live off of others, whether it’s because they grew up in poverty and never had enough growing up, or they believe they’re entitled to other people’s possessions. In other cases, they are starved for love and affection and believe they can get it by needing the help of others. Their neediness and manipulation can cause a lot of strife between characters. Sometimes the friendship survives.

Example: Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

By observing these characters’ struggles, we learn to empathize with these flawed characters. After all, we all have our own demons to slay. Why shouldn’t your own protagonists have them too? Let them reflect the people you meet in the real world, people who have their own private struggles, whether it’s dealing with grief, an addiction, job loss, a divorce, or a health crisis. That’s what makes these unlikeable characters a little more likeable—their relatability.

Writing experts offer a few suggestions for making these characters work well in your stories, despite their flaws.

1. Make them relatable. Give them problems to overcome, with their flaws acting as barriers to their resolution.

2. Give them redeemable qualities. Allow their humanity to show through. Give them a quality people will respect. For example, the playground bully who goes home every day and plays with his dog.

3. Show how they became flawed. Whether it’s through backstory or it’s a part of the novel’s set up, show how your protagonist became the person they are.

4. Sometimes, it’ not about the character’s personality but about their decision making process. It may be that you don’t agree with the decisions they make, whether they’re right or wrong.

Writing and reading about an unlikeable character can be both fun and enlightening. Just don’t take them too seriously; they are only fictionalized people, after all. Remember that all characters are flawed in one sense or another. As readers, we can learn to empathize with their struggles, no matter how likeable they may be.

Finding Your Creative Writing Niche

June 26, 2024June 25, 2024 ~ The Regal Writer ~ 3 Comments

Editor’s note: I’m tied up with assignments this week, so please enjoy this reposted article from 2021.

When I first embarked on my writing journey, it was a challenge to shift from writing magazine features and website content to creative writing. It was a far cry from the business world, where the criteria was set by employers and clients. I had to shift from writing for business to creating whole new worlds in fiction.

Part of the challenge of being a creative writer is finding a niche. It’s deciding what kind of creative writing I wanted to do and what I was best suited for. Did I want to focus only on novels, or were short stories more my thing? Maybe I was drawn to the soul-baring essence of creative non-fiction, or the challenge of tackling a 100,000-word novel. Or would I be better suited for flash fiction where stories rarely exceed 1000 words? When I first dove into the creative writing pool, I thought I knew what I was doing. After all, I’d already had magazine features published and had received positive feedback about my writing from teachers and editors.

But I quickly realized there was a lot I didn’t understand. It was necessary for me to start from the beginning – to take classes, read up on story telling technique, and most important, to practice, practice, practice. I experimented with different writing styles. I attempted several novels as well as short stories and, more recently, novellas. I’ve submitted essays to competitions and sought feedback from writer’s groups. It’s all been part of a learning, growing process.

I’m still working toward finishing my current novel in the hopes it will one day be published. But I also understand that it takes more than talent to get there. It takes grit and determination and perseverance. It takes a consistent writing practice.

Here’s how you can find your own creative writing niche.

1. It’s important to read a lot, and to read a variety. In his book, On Writing, Stephen King says the best way to learn about writing is to read and to read widely. That’s how you learn how to craft stories, develop plot and character, create suspense and satisfy readers. By reading, you naturally absorb authors’ writing styles and adapt to your own. By reading, you also notice what works well in storytelling, and what doesn’t. Reading other authors’ works is a must to advance your own writing aspirations.

2. Know who you are as a writer and what you stand for. Julie Anne England of the Self-Publishing School says it’s important to assess yourself – your interests, your strengths and weaknesses, and your writing goals. That means understanding what you can tolerate in the world at large and what you can’t. Maybe writing critique groups aren’t your thing. Not everyone is cut out for them. Maybe you feel more inspired by writing in a semi-public place where there are other people nearby so you don’t feel so alone while you write. Or maybe you prefer to write at home alone. England advises writers to “be true to who you are. Trying to be someone you’re not will only impede your progress.”

3. Pay attention to the feedback you receive. Whether you get feedback from a writing buddy, a coach, a boss, or your website audience, pay attention to what they tell you. Do they like the way you describe a scene or the way you draw your characters? Conversely, are they confused by your plot structure or is your protagonist flat, lacking in emotion and personality? Then use their feedback to improve your work.

4. Learn as much as you can about the writing craft. Whether you’re just beginning your writing journey or you’ve traveled this road for some time, it’s important to keep learning. Readers’ tastes and publishers’ needs constantly change, so what was popular a year ago may be obsolete in another year or two. You need to stay on top of the publishing trends. Further, by keeping up with your professional development, you keep your skills fresh and learn new story telling techniques. You show agents and editors that you are willing to do whatever it takes to produce the best story possible.

5. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different genres and writing styles. Maybe you’ve been writing narrative non-fiction, but you’d like to experiment with writing short stories. Don’t be shy about taking a workshop about short story writing. You may decide after completing one or two stories that it just isn’t right for you. That’s okay. At least you tried, and there may be some things you learned about the writing process that can be carried over to your essays. Don’t be afraid to experiment to see what works best for you.

6. Be flexible and open-minded. Don’t get locked into your niche or specialty because it will likely change over time, writes Shaunta Grimes at The Write Brain blog. For example, when I started my blog in 2016, I wrote about a variety of writing and communications topics because that was my professional background. As time went on and I gravitated toward more personal writing and less business communications, my blog reflected that shift. Now I focus almost exclusively on essays about the writing life with some posts about fiction writing thrown in. Allow your personal interests to dictate your path.

If you want to know more about what kind of writer archetype you are, check out this quiz at The Write Brain blog. (Note: You will need to create an account to read the article on Medium.) Find out if you are a Hesitater, a Skipper, a Spiller, a Teacher or an Artist. It will help you learn what you write and why. (Btw, I’m a teacher, which should be obvious from my blog.)

The beauty of creative writing is that there are multiple paths to choose from, and it’s not uncommon for writers to specialize in more than one genre or writing style. Finding that niche, however, depends on knowing who you are and what you have to offer readers.

Reading Present Tense Stories vs. Past Tense

June 19, 2024July 24, 2024 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

I remember picking up a book several years ago and opening to the first chapter. I don’t remember what book it was or where I was reading it. I do remember my first impression when I noticed it was written in present tense.

It was jarring, like my brain couldn’t adjust to the different tense. I’d been so accustomed to reading stories in the standard past tense that seeing a different tense struck me as odd.

Not just odd, but wrong. Out of place.

I’ve since softened my stance. I’ve read enough books written in the present tense since then that I’ve simply gotten used to reading it. Still, there are some hard-liners who refuse to read any book written in present tense. Do a Google search, and you’ll find plenty of opinions on the subject—both good and bad. Critics call it “unnatural,” “trendy,” and “a distraction,” while proponents say it makes the story more interesting, real and immediate.

Present tense writing seems like it’s a fairly new phenomenon, but actually, it’s been used for years. There are numerous top sellers that have used that feature. Rabbit, Run by John Updike is one, though I have not read it. This post on The Write Practice blog does a fairly good job of explaining the difference between past and present tense and provides the pros and cons of present tense

It does seem as if more writers are experimenting with present tense writing in recent releases. When combined with first person point of view, the story can pack a powerful and suspenseful punch by putting you in the scene along with the protagonist.

A good example of how it can work is The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, one of the most suspenseful books I’ve read in a long time. From the opening pages, readers are taken along on a suspenseful ride with the protagonist as she opens the front door and a young girl hands her a cryptic handwritten note from her husband.

When you’re right there next to your character seeing what they see, feeling what they feel, present tense can create a stronger impact on readers. Isn’t that what you want your readers to feel when they read your story?

That said, it would be a mistake to use it all the time. Some stories are simply better read and written in the past tense. It is still the standard in publishing, and it will never go away. It’s also the standard in verbal storytelling. Do you share a story with your friends in present tense? Hardly. It would seem odd rolling off your tongue. Why should written stories be any different?

My advice is to experiment with both styles and see which one works best for your story. There are three factors to consider:

* Genre – Some genres are better suited for present tense. Novels of suspense or action/adventure come to mind. The Hunger Games series is a case in point. Readers are present from the moment the story begins and they experience the suspense along with the narrator/protagonist. Meanwhile past tense is probably better suited for literary fiction and historical fiction.

* Point of view – Present tense might best be used with first person to get a real “up close and personal” feel to the story. I don’t think it works as well with third person POV, though I have seen it done with some success.

* Readers’ preferences – This might be the most critical factor. Which tense do readers prefer to read? Are your readers willing to read a present tense story that you’ve written?

The truth is, many readers hate present tense writing, so much so that they will close the book and put it back on the shelf. If any of your intended readers fall into that camp, you could lose them.

On the other hand, there are other readers who say they don’t notice the tense at all when reading. As long as the story is well written, they don’t mind if it’s present or past tense. Perhaps that is the key point to remember. Make sure the story is so well written that readers hardly notice whether it’s written in present tense or past tense.

I’ll always stick with past tense as my preferred reading format. But an occasional trip through a story with present tense can be worth the journey.

In case you want to explore present tense stories, here are a few to check out (though in truth, I’ve only read the one by Laura Dave so I cannot vouch for how enjoyable they are):

The Hunger Games series
All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr
The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas
The Last Thing He Told Me, Laura Dave
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Taylor Jenkins Reid
Room, Emma Donoghue

Career Planning Tips for Aspiring Authors

May 22, 2024July 24, 2024 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

I jumped into my fiction writing journey with hope in my heart and my fingers crossed. I didn’t have a clear idea where I wanted to go once I started writing though. But even if I did know, I didn’t have a map or a compass that told me how to get there. I simply jumped into the deep end of the pool and hoped something would come of it.

When I started writing in earnest, I didn’t know whether it was a new career path or a hobby to keep me entertained while I looked for work. It’s one thing to say “I’ve always wanted to be a writer.” It’s quite another to actually formulate a plan for getting there.

Some writers do plan their writing careers. Others, like me, slip into it gradually, more as an experiment rather than a conscious career choice.

Most professional writers will tell you that it’s a good idea to have a plan, something concrete to guide you along your writing journey. A plan helps you visualize your writing goals so you have a picture in your mind of what you want to accomplish. Without it, you might as well spin your wheels.

So that begs the question. Should aspiring authors have a career plan? If so, what does that plan include? How do you know what you want to accomplish, and how long you expect it to take? These are all questions you need to ask yourself before embarking on your writing journey.

Do you have a plan for your writing career? Have you mapped out what you want to accomplish and how to get there? Would you do anything differently?

If you think a career plan is right for you, here’s what you might include.

A vision of success. Take a few moments to visualize what you want your writing career to look like. What do you want to accomplish? What does success look like to you? What does it mean to be a successful author? Try to be as detailed as possible. You have to know what the end game looks like in order to get there.

Your goals. If your vision is the end game, your goals are the wheels to help you get there. Be specific. For example, don’t just say you’ll write every day. Instead, say that you’ll write 1000 words a day six days a week, which is more specific and more achievable. Focus on things you can control, such as your output and time spent on writing activities.

Your timeline. Some career experts suggest having a five-year plan, no matter what career you choose. Then working backward from your end goal (or vision) at the five-year mark, set goals at intermediate points, such as annual or every six months. Put goals in the order of how you want to achieve them. For example, completing a fiction writing course might occur earlier in your timeline than publishing a short story.Having a timeline can help you determine if you’re on track to meet those goals, or if you have to reset the timeline.

The road map. How do you plan to achieve your goals? What steps do you need to take to move forward? For example, do you need to brush up on your writing skills? Do you need to build a network of fellow writers? Do you need to find out how to craft a work of fiction?

Fantasy author Holly Lisle suggests finding a model author to follow. Read every one of their books, and study them for how their writing progressed over time. Learn all about their work methods. See if any of them will work for you.

Find a support network. Writers might work alone, but they need the support of family, friends and colleagues too. Make sure that your spouse, kids, roommates are on board with your new career plan. Make sure they give you the space and time you need to do your writing.

Starting a writing practice isn’t always easy, especially over the long haul. Here are some additional tips for planning your writing career. .

* Pace yourself. Burnout is very real, writes Heather Webb at Writer Unboxed blog. Meeting deadlines, especially those enforced from outside yourself, like an agent, editor or client, can zap you of your energy. “When writing begins to feel like a chore, it’s time for a time out to regroup. Writing will come back. Your love of storytelling won’t go anywhere,” says Webb.

* Be flexible. Real life can get in the way of your writing. Webb advises writers to be flexible in all aspects of the writing business—your schedule, with story ideas and with your career path. Don’t be afraid to pivot when you need to. If one genre doesn’t seem to be working for you, switch to another.

* Define what success means to you. If you were a successful author today, what would it feel like? How would you behave? Dress? Treat others? Treat your work? Success won’t look or feel the same way to everyone. Define success on your terms.

* Don’t let your negative inner voice or ego become the loudest voice. Drown it out with your own positive energy. Similarly, avoid author envy. It’s tempting to compare yourself with other writers, especially those whose work you admire, but that serves no useful purpose. Focus on becoming the writer you are meant to be.

* Most important, be sure to write as often as possible. You learn most about the craft by actually sitting down and writing. Once you start, you won’t want to stop.

Having a career plan isn’t mandatory for success. But it can help you clarify your goals and map out a path for achieving what you want. It’s one more tool to add to your writer’s toolkit.

Reading What You Write: Tips for Presenting Your Written Work

May 16, 2024July 24, 2024 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

There may be times when you may be invited to read your work to an audience. Whether it’s reading to visitors at a local bookstore or presenting it in class to fellow aspiring writers, the thought of reading your work aloud can be unnerving if you’re not used to it. Writers, especially, can feel uncomfortable. Because they’re used to working alone and don’t have many opportunities to read to an audience.

However, reading for an audience offers several advantages. For starters, it can help you get used to facing an audience. It takes practice to feel comfortable speaking out loud. The more you do it, the better you will sound and the more confident you’ll feel.

Reading aloud can show you the rough spots in your writing. According to the University of North Carolina Writing Center, when reading aloud your work, your brain receives information in a new way so you tend to notice details you didn’t see when you read it silently. While most of their advice pertains to research papers, I think it’s relevant for fiction writing as well.

When reading aloud, the sequence of ideas in a research paper (or scenes in a story) should make sense to readers. You might notice gaps in explanations or narratives. Words might be left out. You might see awkward sentence structure, or sentences that are too long, confusing, repetitive or convoluted. You might find that the tone isn’t quite right for your piece. For example, the humor may not be appropriate or the jokes simply fall flat.

Conversely, reading aloud can help you notice where your writing is strongest. You can tell when the story flows the way it should, and the dialogue is lively.

Conquering your fear of reading out loud

There are two types of fears when reading out loud. One is the fear of facing an audience, whether they’re strangers or people you know. (Sometimes reading for people who know can be scarier than reading to a room full of strangers.)

The second fear is the fear of sharing your work. You fear people won’t like your work. We all have an inherent desire to be liked, so any semblance of negativity can make us lose confidence in our abilities even when those abilities are topnotch. No one likes receiving negative feedback or getting criticized. But to be stronger writers, sometimes we have to take the risk of reading our work to others. How else will we know if people will enjoy what we write?

Writing experts offer a few tips for presenting your work.

* Read from a printed copy. Print out your manuscript rather than read from a computer. Seeing your work on a printed page might help you noticed errors you didn’t notice on the screen.

* Practice, practice, practice. Take a day or two to practice your reading. Note if there are any rough spots that you have difficulty getting past. Keep practicing, no matter how tired you get of reading it, so that the words flow easily. It might help to read in front of a mirror, a friend, even your pet dog.

* Pretend you’re someone else reading your work. This might seem tough to do, but some writers swear by this technique. Imagine you are someone else who is given the task of reading your work out loud, like a news anchor or your favorite actor. Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes can make you feel less self-conscious about facing an audience.

Tips for reading to a group

When it comes time to read for your audience, remember to do the following:

*Project your voice so everyone in the room can hear you. This is especially true if there is no microphone available. Speak clearly and enunciate your words. Avoid mumbling.

* Don’t rush through to the end. When you’re nervous about speaking to strangers, it’s easy to fall into the habit of speeding up when you need to slow down. People need and want to hear you, and they can’t do that if you’re racing ahead like you’re running in the Kentucky Derby.

* When you’re reading from your manuscript, be sure to look up often and make eye contact with your audience. It might help to focus on two or three friendlier faces, those who give nonverbal cues like smiling and nodding, so you know they’re paying attention.

Reading aloud is an often overlooked skill, but one that you can master and add to your skill set early in your writing career. When you finally publish your work, you’ll have the confidence to read your work with pride.

Fiction in a Flash: The Basics of Writing Flash Fiction

May 9, 2024July 24, 2024 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

There seems to be two types of writers in this world. One enjoys taking their time telling their story, introducing characters, unveiling the plot, creating tension until they arrive at a (hopefully) satisfying ending. The second takes the shorter route, where there are minimal characters and backstory, words used thoughtfully and expediently, and an ending that is often unexpected and profound..

As you may have guessed, the first type is a novelist, while the second excels at flash fiction. While their approaches to storytelling are wildly different, they both try to accomplish the same thing—entertain readers.

According to Writers.com, flash fiction “delivers a complete narrative with plot, characters and setting, in fewer than 1,500 words. It relies on efficient use of language and storytelling without inhibiting the story’s flow and impact.”

Writing flash fiction is the equivalent of writing one scene from a novel. But even that one scene must be complete with an inciting incident, conflict and resolution.

There are several types of flash fiction, depending on the length of the story. Traditional flash fiction is a maximum of 1,500 words while the shortest type is a six-word story. There are other types and lengths in between.

Some writers might be put off by the idea of writing a story in less than 1500 words, believing that it can’t possibly be done—or be done well. Much like other writers are overwhelmed by the idea of writing a 90,000-word novel. If you have a short attention span or dread the thought of spending weeks or months writing a full-length novel, flash fiction might be worth experimenting with. It can also provide another creative outlet to complement your other writing projects.

What makes flash fiction unique and challenging is the restrictive nature of storytelling. Since you are limited by the length, you don’t have the luxury of expounding on details or characters. You really have to think carefully about how to develop your plot and the role of your characters. The key to writing flash fiction, suggest writing experts, is to plan your plot first to create the skeleton of your story, then fill in with the most critical descriptive details.

Jericho Writers offers the following tips for writing flash fiction:

* Limit the number of characters to one or two people (sometimes three). Again, you don’t have the luxury of length and space to introduce a myriad of characters. If you’re used to writing novels, think of the flash fiction as the same length as a single scene that contains only a few characters.

* Deal with a single conflict. Focusing on one single conflict moves the story along at a brisker pace without going off on different tangents.

* Focus on one genre. Because you’re working with a limited word count, stick to one genre that will be easier to write a story that readers will be able to follow.

* Limit world building and scene setting. In a 1,500-word story, you may only have one or two scenes where the story takes place. Likewise, you won’t have time or space to have heavy descriptions of your world. You may have to limit the world-building to a couple of sentences.

* Make every word and sentence count. Avoid passive voice, which tends to add unnecessary words. Be succinct, and choose the best words that tell your story. Use descriptive, concise language.

* Start in the middle of the story. You won’t have the luxury of a long, introductory narrative filled with backstory, detailed setting and interior narration of your protagonist.

That seems like an awful lot to think about for a simple, 1500-word story, but as you can see, flash fiction is deceptively complex. Writers.com offers several more tips for writing flash fiction.

Begin by plotting the story first. That creates the spine of the story. Then go back and fill in with description and figurative language to make the story more complete.
End the story with a bang. Conclude with an unexpected and surprising ending that makes the reader think about the story long after they’ve finished reading it.
Be a ruthless editor. Start with a draft, just as you would with any manuscript, then go back and cut, cut, and cut some more. Don’t be shy about axing entire paragraphs that read well but don’t move the story along.

Writing flash fiction can be more challenging with its numerous restrictions, but all that planning, plotting and editing you have to do can help you become a better writer when you’re ready to tackle larger projects.

For more information about flash fiction, check out these other sources:

Flash Fiction magazine
Flash Fiction Online
Writing flash fiction: a complete guide, Jericho Writers
The Benefits of Writing Flash Fiction, Jane Friedman.com

How Writers Can Become Better Literary Citizens

May 3, 2024July 24, 2024 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

If you’ve ever purchased a book that a friend wrote and published, read a fellow writer’s essay and provided feedback, or passed along an article to someone who needed to know about self-publishing, then you know what it means to be a literary citizen.

Literary citizenship is a fancy term meaning “forming professional networking relationships,” writes freelance writer Robyn Roste. In the freelancing business, it might be referred to in other ways, such as:

* Investing in relationship building
* Finding ways to help people
* Becoming part of a writing community

The key to becoming an effective literary citizen, Roste says, is to approach it with a collaborative mindset, not a competitive one. There’s plenty of success to go around if you go into literary citizenship with an attitude of abundance rather than lack.

Because most writers work solo, there’s a tendency to look at fellow writers with an attitude of competitiveness. There’s a certain paranoia about sharing your work with others because someone might steal your idea or they might be overly critical of it. Sometimes you might feel envious when another writer gets their manuscript published while you’re slaving away on your third draft.

With a collaborative mindset, you approach writing as an opportunity to learn and share and grow along with other writers. The fact is we’re all on similar paths and we can learn from each others’ failures and successes. We might work alone in a corner of our home, but there’s a whole company of people who make our efforts pay off. No matter how much experience writers have or what genre of writing they do, writing is still a collaborative effort. It goes beyond clients, agents, editors, proofreaders and publicists. It also includes teachers, book reviewers, and bookstore owners—and yes, even our friends and family. It truly does takes a village.

Publishing expert Jane Friedman has a similar definition. Literary citizenship is any activity that supports reading, writing, publishing and the growth of your professional network. “It’s a more palatable and friendlier way to think of platform building.”

Which is critical if you’ve got a book you want to promote.

So how can writers become good literary citizens? Here are a few ideas:

*Join a writing community or writers’ group. As part of that group or community, you can provide writing advice to other writers, offer friendship, and give feedback on their works-in-progress. You can usually find writer’s groups at the local library or bookstore or online. But if you can’t find a group that fits your interests, consider starting your own group.

* Mentor other writers. By mentoring others, you share your knowledge and expertise with others, and guide them in their professional growth. Less experienced writers can benefit from your experience.

*Share tips and resources with other writers. Whether done informally at networking events or meetups, or through other resources, like blogs and newsletters, you can offer writing advice and resources that can help other writers further their careers.

* Post job opportunities for writers and creatives. In the creative field, you might hear of a job opening or about a client looking for a freelancer. Though you may not fit the bill, you might know others who are a better it. Don’t be shy about sharing career opportunities through your social media.

*Write book reviews. When fellow writers publish their books and you’ve taken the time to read it, write a short book review and post on your social media. You’d be doing that fellow writer a big favor by getting the word out about their published work. People do read reviews when they’re considering what to read next.

* Interview authors. Another way to help out a fellow writer is to interview them. Perhaps they’ve just published a new book or they earned some industry recognition. Highlight their success by interviewing them, and write up a summary for your blog or submit the story to a local newspaper or magazine.

* Develop relationships with indie bookstore shop owners. Don’t overlook the role of indie shop owners. Get to know them by visiting their store. Find out what authors and genres are trending. When you’re ready to promote your own new book, they’ll be easier to approach about displaying it in their shop.

* Sign up for an author’s newsletter or follow them on social media. I follow several of my favorite authors on Facebook but I also like to connect with writers I know. As writers, we’re always looking for ways to expand our audiences. As they get to know you, they may eventually decide to follow up in return.

* Celebrate the successes of other writers. Share their news about book signings, new releases, public appearances, etc. on your own social media sites. As the saying goes, “What you put out in the world comes back to you.”

I’ll end with a few final tips, courtesy of TweetSpeak.

Be generous. Whether giving of your time or sharing your knowledge, don’t be shy about spreading your wealth.
Reciprocate. If a fellow writer has done a special favor for you—read a draft of your novel, given you a positive review or started commenting on your blog, try to do something similar in return.
Be grateful. Express your gratitude for whatever your fellow writers have done for you, whether you received a valuable piece of advice from them or got a referral for a prospective freelance client.

The more you share of yourself with other writers, the more likely they’ll want to do the same for you. That is what makes literary citizenship a valuable asset to cultivate.

How Independent Bookstores Make an Impact on Readers and Communities

April 24, 2024July 24, 2024 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

I love visiting independent bookstores, especially the one in my neighborhood. There’s a cozy, warm, welcoming feeling the moment I walk in the door. I can usually find something on their shelves that I can’t find at other sales outlets.

Indie bookstores are key contributors to the local economy, provide kind and friendly service to customers, and simply make the book shopping experience more pleasurable.

This Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day, a time when we can all show our love for independent booksellers by visiting their shops, browsing their shelves and making purchases.

Indie bookstores never went away, even as larger, online retailers dominated the market. While some indie stores did go out of business, many others have thrived and the industry continues to grow. According to the American Booksellers Association, the national trade group for independent booksellers, 254 independent bookstores opened in 2022 of which 179 were brick-and-mortar shops. Another 198 bookstores were expected to open in 2023 and 2024 nationwide. Meanwhile, only 53 indie bookstore businesses closed in 2022. The future looks bright.

A recent white paper by Harvard Business School attributes the resurgence of independent bookstores to their three main strengths: community, curation and convening.

Community—Bookstore owners won back customers by stressing stronger connections to the local community. They often give back to their communities, and choose book titles that reflect the interests of local residents.

Curation—Bookstore owners are focused on acquiring inventory that provides a “more personal and specialized customer experience.” In doing so, they have developed better relationships with customers by helping them discover up-and-coming authors and unique titles that they may never have considered reading.

Convening—Independent bookstores have become places to gather for everything from book signings and reading groups to lectures, game nights and birthday parties—events that online retailers can’t offer.

I would add one more component to the mix: personalized service. By focusing on the quality of book selections (rather than quantity) and the book knowledge of their staffs, indie booksellers can offer titles geared toward specific needs and interests of local readers. Staff are readers too, and their book reviews and suggested readings can help customers choose books based on their recommendations. Even Barnes & Noble has adopted this approach to bookselling to get back into brick-and-mortar bookselling.

These businesses are also strong advocates for free speech. They speak out against book bans and showcase the work of authors from underrepresented communities.

I have my own personal reasons for appreciating indie bookstores:

* I often find authors and book titles that I wouldn’t find elsewhere. I have found some true hidden gems on their shelves.

* Some bookstores specialize in a particular genre. For example, a romance-based bookshop opened recently in my area and, so far, is doing quite well.

* The store often offers discounts for special events, like Independent Bookstore Day and Black Friday, and my favorite place has a decent discount sale section.

* The staff are knowledgeable about the latest releases and up-and-coming authors. Their Staff Picks section is usually an interesting mix of classics, trending titles and new authors.

* Because they’re community-focused, they support and cross promote with other businesses in the neighborhood. For example, on a busy Black Friday, a bakery from the area provided freshly baked cookies for their event.

* They support the local publishing scene and authors. One author I know has her self-published memoir on display at a couple of independent bookstores.

* Booksellers are advocates for free speech. They fight against book bans and make sure the works of underrepresented authors get on their shelves.

Independent bookstores are here to stay, and for that I am grateful. Without them, I would not have been able to broaden my reading interests.

What about you? Do you visit independent bookstores? What do you love most about them?

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