Category: Creative writing

Where to Find The Best Story Ideas

~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment
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As writers and creatives, we’re always on the look out for unique story ideas. But sometimes our minds draw a blank about what to write or how to kickstart the imagination.

I’ve found over the years that the best source of story ideas is my personal experience and my reaction to what’s happening in the world – from the people I know (and don’t know) to the places I’ve visited and the books I’ve read. Everywhere you look, you’ll find some nugget of inspiration. Awareness and staying relaxed are keys.

When you’re struggling to find good story ideas, there are a few things you can try to shake up the creative genius within you.

1. Start people-watching. Choose a semi-crowded public space, like a cafe, a bookshop or a doctor’s office. Settle in somewhere where you can observe the people around you. When you notice someone intriguing, create a story about them.  For example, the barista serving your coffee looks harassed and distracted. Imagine what her story could be. Write her as the protagonist in your story, give her a different name, then reimagine why she is so distracted on the job.

2. Watch a movie or TV episode. Sometimes watching a movie or TV show can spark an idea for a new story. Perhaps you didn’t like how the movie ended. Rewrite it the way you think it should have ended. Maybe you were intrigued by a minor character. Why not draft a new story featuring that minor character that intrigued you.

3. Re-read a beloved book. When you’re feeling stuck, sometimes reading a beloved book can spark an idea or reinspire you to write again. This time, though, pay attention to the subplots and minor characters. Challenge yourself to create a new story for that minor character.

4. Look through photographs. Photographs have a way of telling a story through images and symbols. There’s always a story behind that photo. Find one that speaks to you. Author Sarah Addison Allen posts a super-short story every Sunday on her social media inspired by a random photo. Each story is only about 200 words, but they capture the mood and spirit of the photo. Browse through magazines or check out photo sites on the web to find one that inspires you, then write the story that inspires you from it.

5. Re-visit a place that you loved as a child. Is there a place you and your family visited when you were younger that brought you happy memories? Consider writing a story set in that locale, capturing all the details to make it authentic. Write about the food, the architecture, landmarks, the people, the sights and the sounds that you remember. Any memorable setting can inspire a fresh new story.

6. Read the newspaper or a magazine. Stay current on today’s news. Learn about current events or read profiles of outstanding people, especially those who have overcome struggles to achieve greatness. Re-imagine those events for your story, or re-create those people as characters. Much of what you see in best-selling novels borrow from news stories.

7. Recall your dreams. Keep a dream journal and jot down the dream with as much detail as you can recall. Note how you felt within that dream. If you’ve ever dreamed of falling, being chased or watching a storm, those moments can be captured for your creative work, especially as you capture your emotional response in that dream.

8. Play the game of “What if?” If you’re feeling stuck, try using this writing prompt to get the creative ideas flowing. On a sheet of paper, write “what if?” at the top. Then create a bullet point list of possible answers. For example, what if someone woke up one morning and found that their teeth were missing? Or what if one of your beloved childhood pets came back to life and visited you? That one simple question can unlock possibilities you hadn’t expected.

9. Use a story prompt generator. If you’re really desperate to find ideas, you can always use a story prompt generator like Reedsy or Service Scape. You can use the ones provided or change it up with a different setting or relationship dynamic. 

If you prefer to find your story ideas more organically, the following tips might be helpful:

* Relax your mind and your body. I think some of my best ideas have come to me while in the shower or waking up from sleep. When your brain is overstimulated, the ideas won’t flow, no matter how much you try to prime the pump. So find ways to relax your mind so your imagination operates more efficiently and sends story ideas to you.

* Be aware of your surroundings. Wherever you go, whether it’s the grocery store, the doctor’s office or the local pub, note the people and the settings you pass by. Be an unobtrusive observer of life. I suggest carrying a small notebook to take notes of what you see or record them on your phone, especially if it’s an unusual place, person or conversation.

* Be aware of how you react to certain events and people in your own life. This is more an internal assessment rather than an external observation mentioned above. The more intense reactions will clue you in to what you feel is important about that experience. Then use that experience to mold a fresh new story idea.

Story ideas abound all around us. Stay relaxed and be aware of the people and situations around you, and you’ll never run out of story ideas.

What a Book Coach Can Do for You

~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment
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For the last few years, I’ve been pushing my way through several novel drafts. By the end of the draft phase, I tend to lose interest in the story because it’s out of my system. Worse, I have to deal with the revision process, which is so daunting that I keep putting it off. Needless to say, I have several WIPs in my file drawers collecting dust. 

This year, I made it my goal to tackle a revision. I knew it would take a lot of work, but I wasn’t sure how to begin or what the process looked like. I knew I needed help.

So I bit the bullet and signed up for a three-month group coaching program, which includes writing sprints several times a week, craft lessons and live feedback sessions. It’s a small co-hort, only six of us including our coach, Karyn Fischer of Story and Prose. There’s comfort in knowing that other writers in this group are dealing with similar issues about plotting and revising that I am. And because it’s only for three months for several hours a week, it’s not a huge investment of time, and it will carry me through most of the summer. As you know, it can be tempting to slack off during the summer, so this program will keep me motivated. 

Entering the third week of the program, I see the following benefits:

1. Accountability. With summer fast approaching, it’s easy to slack off or find other things to do. A coach keeps you accountable for your own efforts. Whether it’s through weekly craft lessons, monthly feedback sessions, or writing sprints, having someone else to report to can help you make consistent progress.

2. Goal setting. During our first meeting, each member in my group shared what they hoped to accomplish during the three-month program. We do the same before each sprint session.  When I go into those sessions, I have to have a clear idea what I’m doing for the next hour. That goal setting keeps me accountable for my actions so I keep moving forward, even if they’re baby steps. 

3. Community. Being part of a small coaching group has its rewards. We’re all in the same boat, struggling with similar problems with our revisions. Knowing that provides some comfort and keeps me motivated to keep working.

4. Feedback. Before the group session began, I submitted the first chapter to Karyn for her review. It was a scary proposition because I hadn’t shown my work on that novel to anyone else. But I needed some direction and encouragement so I wouldn’t feel I was wasting my time. She pointed out details in my story that I had overlooked, and questioned the authenticity of the dialogue. (“Would her client have actually said that?”) Sure, it was a little hard to take the criticism, but she made good points and it gave me something to work around in my next revision. If you want to improve your story, getting feedback from a trusted beta reader or qualified coach is important.

5. Education. Since most book coaches are published authors themselves or have earned an MFA, they bring that knowledge and experience to the table. They’ve gone through the writing and publishing process before, so they can share their knowledge about craft issues, such as plotting, character development and story structure.

6. Writing progress. Several times a week, the group meets for one-hour writing sprints, though there’s flexibility about what group members can work on. No matter how we choose to use our time – whether it’s revising a scene, reading up on craft, or doing a beta-read of their manuscript – we’re all making progress on our story. By the end of that hour, I know I’ve made some progress, even if it is a small step.

A few final suggestions:
* Consider group coaching to start, which may save you a few bucks rather than working one-on-one.
* Many coaches provide short-term sessions or workshops so you can see how they teach.
* Sign up for their newsletters, which will reveal their expertise as well. You can always unsubscribe from the newsletter later if you find you’re inundated with material or their content isn’t helpful.
* To find a book coach, check out sites like Author Accelerator, which offers resources and certification for book coaches. Then check out their websites to see if they’re a good fit.

Writing is a solo endeavor. But working with a book coach, whether individually or in a group, can help you stay motivated and keep you focused on your writing goals. 

What about you? Have you worked with a book coach? What was your experience like? 

How to Stop Overthinking Your Story

~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment
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By nature, most writers are overthinkers. We’re wired to question every aspect of our story. We look at the plot from every angle, figure out character goals and motivations, and then create an ending that ties up all the loose ends in a reasonable and satisfying way. Overthinking, you could say, is part of the creation process.

Problems occur when overthinking interferes with your ability to produce meaningful work. Or as one person recently suggested: “I’m not overthinking; I’m pre-solving problems that don’t exist yet.”

You know you’re overthinking your story when one of the following situations occur:

* You review and edit sections of your manuscript to make it “Just right” before you can finish the story.
* You abandon a project because it didn’t live up to your initial vision.
* You spend too much time researching and planning your story before actually writing it.
* You plotted the story down to the tiniest details, and after writing it, it sounds stiff and boring
* You plotted yourself into a corner and now can’t figure out how to fix it
* You’re more focused on the language of the story rather than the storytelling aspect
* You’re constantly comparing yourself to other writers and feeling that you fall short

Overthinking occurs when you’re “swimming in circles of self-criticism or perfectionism,” writes fantasy author K.M. Weiland. “[But] if you’re asking good questions, you’re not overthinking.”

She adds that overthinking is caused by two possible factors: lack of knowledge about storytelling and perfectionism.

The lack of knowledge can be rectified by reviewing the basics of story structure and character development so when you review your own work, you can notice what’s not working and fix it.

Perfectionism is a little tougher to overcome. Overthinking born out of perfectionism can be tiring and exhausting as you go over the same ground over and over. Questions you ask yourself may be more generic and focused on your performance as a writer than the performance of the story. For example, “does this paragraph sound right?”, “Is this the right word to use in this scene?” Or “What was I thinking when I wrote this section?” More often than not, these thoughts only trigger your insecurities and do nothing to improve your writing, Weiland says.

Fortunately, there are ways to halt the overthinking cycle, or at least minimize it, so you don’t get stuck in wasteful activity. Try one of these methods to see if you can stop overthinking your story.

1. Use word sprints. Author and book coach Janice Hardy says word sprints are designed to ignore the internal editor or critic. All you do is write without stopping to think. Just pick a length of time, say 20 minutes, then write as fast as you can without lifting your pen off the page (if handwriting) or stopping from typing to read what you wrote. Don’t worry about typos or misspelled words or how it sounds. Sure, it will be messy, but Hardy says “it’s a way to train yourself to ignore editing as you go.”

2. Use alternative methods of drafting. Many writers draft on the computer, but that can also lead to constant revision and deletion because it’s easy to backtrack to correct your ideas or start over. I usually draft my stories by handwriting. It might seem like a waste of time to some, but I find I’m more focused and the words flow more freely from my brain to the page. I’m also less apt to fix a word or question what I wrote.

Another option is dictation. Some mobile devices have a built-in feature that allows you to record words making it easy to draft a story wherever you go. If you don’t have that recording feature, check out apps that you can download that will let you do the same thing. 

3. Keep learning about your craft. When you understand more about plotting, character arcs and story structure, you’ll analyze your writing with sharper instincts about what to look for. You’ll be able to identify the problem areas without getting stuck in pointless “what if” cycles of overthinking. You’ll move forward with your story with greater confidence and ease.

4. Turn off your screen as you type. If you’re drafting on your computer and you’re easily distracted by pop-up alerts, emails, and other tech stuff, it might be a good idea to turn off the screen, suggests Hardy. Sure, you’re typing blindly, but you won’t have the temptation to stop what you’re writing to re-read something which can lead to editing or deleting it. That’s how the cycle of overthinking begins.

5. Set aside your story for a few days. That time and distance will give your brain a rest.  Instead, read a favorite author, take a mini-vacation or engage in a hobby. Sometimes shifting gears allows your brain to become more relaxed so a solution to your story problem can show up. Plus reading a favorite author can re-ignite your passion for writing.

6. Develop a healthier relationship with your inner critic. Sad to say, but our inner critic is here to stay. Look at the positive things it can do, such as warning you not to turn in your article until you’ve proofread your work one more time. But it can also wreak havoc when you’re in drafting mode and you’re trying to put words on the page. Somehow you have to make peace with the inner critic, acknowledge its presence but also set some ground rules for when it should appear, such as only during the revision stage when you need its sharp eye.

As Weiland reminds us: “A healthy inner critic guides us toward legitimate growth and improvement, while a toxic inner critic only tears us and our work down.”

Most importantly, trust the creative process, especially during the drafting phase when it’s more important to get your ideas down on the page or screen. No writing is ever perfect so don’t expect it to be. Aim for being good enough.

Overthinking in and of itself is not a bad thing, but it can hinder your progress as a writer. When you tone down the excessive cycling and useless questioning, you’ll get more writing done.

Feeling Overwhelmed by Your Writing? Here’s How to Deal with It.

~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

As writers and creatives, we occasionally experience those moments of overwhelm–when it seems many tasks and projects hit all at once fighting for our attention. Or maybe it’s not many things but one gigantic project that stops us in our tracks.

The good news is that this feeling is quite common, and perhaps even a natural part of the writing process. Though when you’re going through it, it feels like you’re the only person in the world suffering.

For me, the overwhelm struck after I had completed a rough draft of two separate novels. I stared at the pile of pages wondering “Where do I begin to sort through this mess?” The thought of revising my work filled me with dread. The overwhelm I felt stopped me in my tracks, and I struggled to get started on the revision phase. It’s only recently that I jumped back into the project once I realized that the reason for the overwhelm was that I didn’t know how to proceed with my revision. I didn’t have a plan.

I’ve noticed that when overwhelm occurs to me, it’s usually under one of the following circumstances:

* High expectations of myself (also called perfectionism)
* A supersized project that I’ve poured my heart and soul into
* Writing about an unfamiliar topic
* A super tight deadline
* Too many projects of multiple sizes hitting at one time
* Too many story ideas begging for my attention
* Any project where I feel unsure about what I’m doing

I’ll discuss each of these circumstances below, but know that the feeling of overwhelm happens to all of us at one time or another. While the emotional toil can be difficult, I’ve found that each situation requires rethinking how to perform the writing tasks at hand and setting new priorities.

1. High expectations/perfectionism. Sure, it’s important to think big, to envision success for your writing project. But sometimes what you produce on the screen/on paper doesn’t match up with what you originally envisioned inside your head. That can be a tough pill to swallow. Not only does it not match, it’s far from perfect, which can further dampen your enthusiasm for the project and steal your momentum. The image of perfectionism can fill you with overwhelm that’s hard to dig out of. It’s helpful to remember that nothing is truly perfect when you start writing. Think of your project as a stone that is raw and misshapen before it’s cut and polished into a bright, shining diamond.

2. One supersized project. Like my recent work-in-progress, a supersized project can be daunting to complete, like climbing a mountain. It might help to break the project into smaller chunks so they’re easier to manage. For example, if writing a book, try writing and editing several scenes at a time to make sure they flow well and make sense. Tackling a few scenes at a time also gives you a sense of accomplishment. When you see the progress you make, that feeling of overwhelm will likely subside.

3. An unfamiliar topic. As writers, we may have to write about things we know nothing about. Sometimes that lack of knowledge can be overwhelming and prevent us from making any real progress on our current project. Yet, our writing success requires that we develop that knowledge. Whether you’ve been assigned a topic by an editor or you’re doing background research for a novel or memoir, embrace that opportunity to learn and grow. Take the time to read articles or talk to an expert about the work they do. Writing is all about learning. 

4. A super tight deadline. Deadlines and fast turnarounds can feel overwhelming when it’s thrust on you out of the blue. It’s helpful to set aside non-essential tasks and focus on the most important tasks first. It can feel freeing to get past the hard work first before doing simpler tasks.  If you’re feeling truly stuck, consider requesting more time from the client or boss so you get some breathing room.

5. Too many projects to juggle. Sometimes the overwhelm occurs when you’re dealing with multiple projects of various sizes and deadlines. That’s when your organizational skills can really shine. Similar to the tight deadline, it’s important to set priorities. Work on the projects that are the most pressing or have the more immediate deadline. If anything should fall through the cracks, it probably wasn’t that important to begin with.

6. Too many stories begging for your attention. You might be working on one project while another story idea tantalizes you from beyond. While it’s tempting to switch gears, chasing after every new, shiny idea can be counterproductive and slow your momentum. What I’ve done in these situations is to draft notes about the new, shiny idea, which should only take a day or two. It might help to keep a spreadsheet of all your story ideas with a brief summary of the plot and  descriptions of some of the characters. That way you won’t forget your bright, shiny idea, and you can get back to your current project.

7. Not sure what steps to take next. The feeling of overwhelm may result because you don’t know what your next steps should be. When I struggled with the revision process of my novels, it made me feel stuck and overwhelmed. I took a time out to research various approaches to revision until I settled on an option that I felt would work best. Now that I’ve settled on one,  courtesy of Jessica Brody and Writing Mastery, I’m finally making progress. So if you’re feeling stuck because you’re unsure what the next step should be, take the time to research several expert opinions and experiment with them to see which one works.

There will always be moments when writing feels overwhelming. That’s a normal part of the writing process. When that happens, take a step back and observe your work with a critical eye. Once you understand what’s making you feel overwhelmed, you can take the steps to unblock yourself and move your project to a successful conclusion.

Freshen Your Routine with These Spring-Themed Writing Prompts

~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment
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As the calendar turns to April, my thoughts often turn to the events of the season, such as long walks outdoors, seeing flowers bloom and watching baseball games. Spring is a time of renewal and cleaning the house, getting rid of things we no longer need. I always feel like I’m being reborn at this time of year, especially after the long, dark, cold winter we’ve had.

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your writing routine or recommit to it. That’s not always easy to do when you’re stuck staring at a blank screen or empty page. Sometimes working with writing prompts can jumpstart your writing routine or give you the inspiration to start fresh.

To help you, I’ve compiled a list of spring-themed writing prompts. They cover everything from rainy weekends, gardening and celebrating Easter. You never know when any of these prompts might spark an idea for a longer story or essay. Challenge yourself and have fun.

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Easter/Passover

Write a story about a child visiting the Easter Bunny at the local mall.

Someone receives an Easter basket filled with goodies plus one surprising and unusual element.

Write a story about someone choking on a jelly bean.

Write a scene or story about someone shopping for a new Easter outfit.

A young couple discovers a lone Easter egg, and they find a cryptic message inside.

A family comes together for Easter or Passover celebration. Over dinner, someone reveals a secret they’ve been keeping for years.

Write about someone who gets stuck in an Easter bunny costume.

Gardening

A new hybrid tulip has been introduced at the annual tulip festival. What is it? Why is it special?

You discover a package of seeds. When you plant them, something unusual and magical sprouts from them.

Describe the first spring flower you notice while out for a stroll in the park.

Imagine a snowflake and flower meeting for the first time, but neither knows what the other is. Write a dialogue between the two.

Write a story set during the annual cherry blossom festival.

Write about someone struggling to keep a houseplant alive.

Write about a small town or community as it prepares for celebrating Earth Day.

Miscellaneous

Someone experiences spring fever in strange ways.

Write about a springtime wedding in which either the bride or groom realize they’re making a mistake.

Write a story set during a spring music festival.

Imagine attending a class reunion. Someone there recognizes you right away, but you can’t remember who they are.

Write a story about a group of teens preparing for their first spring dance.

Write a story set in a treehouse.

Write a meet-cute in which two people fall in love over a spring weekend.

Write a story featuring three sisters named April, May and June.

Write about someone rushing to get their taxes done on time.

While cleaning out closets, someone uncovers an item that they haven’t seen or worn in years. What memories does it bring back? What do they do with the item?

On a weekend getaway, someone gets lost on the road or has a flat tire. What do they do next?

Describe someone attending their first baseball game. What do they experience? How do they respond to it?

Write about someone who is auditioning to be the mascot of the local baseball team.

Spring is a time of fresh starts. Write about what plans you want to make for this spring.

Which Writing Block Is Holding You Back?

~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment
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No matter how long you’ve been working at this thing called writing, you’re bound to experience writer’s block. You know, that horrible state of limbo you feel when your mind draws a blank staring at the screen because you can’t think of a single thing to write?

Writing blocks come in all shapes and sizes. In fact, the writing experts at ProWriting Aid (PWA) have identified nine different blocks that can delay, if not entirely derail, your writing progress. 

Knowing what your blocks are can shed light on behavioral and thought patterns that interfere with your enjoyment of the creative process. Learning what they are is easier than you might think, thanks to a new self-assessment tool created by ProWriting Aid. 

The self-assessment tool is a series of questions that ask how you would react in different scenarios. I found it easy to use and it took about seven minutes to complete. As I answered the questions, I could sense which issues affected me the most. Afterward, PWA sent me a link to my results, which were ranked in order of the highest impact to the lowest. 

In reviewing my results, I was relieved to know that I had no blocks in the High range, so I didn’t have a block that truly paralyzed me. However, five other blocks fell in the Medium range, which means I have work to do to improve my relationship with my writing and be more productive. I was also surprised that what I thought was my biggest block (Perfectionism) wasn’t, but there were several others that ranked higher (Idea Chasing, Procrastination and Overthinking). 

Below are the nine common blocks that were identified (in alphabetical order):

* The Idea Chasing Block – This block proved to be my biggest challenge. It occurs whenever shiny, new ideas show up to tempt you to follow their development rather than finish your current work-in-progress. The new ideas may be more fun and interesting to work with at the start, but die out when you lose interest. The result is usually a lot of unfinished manuscripts.

* The Logician Block – This block causes your analytical mind to overshadow your intuitive, emotional side. It shows up most when you’re focused on structure and technique. But when you need to brainstorm creative ideas or you’re drafting scenes and characters, the Logician can stymie creativity.

* The Overthinking Block – Similar to the Logician, this block is characterized by constant loops of analysis where you revisit the same ideas over and over to the point you can’t move forward on your manuscript. You tend to rewrite scenes multiple times and second-guess plotting decisions. (Guilty!) You get stuck because you keep thinking a better option is out there and you’re afraid of making a wrong move.

* The People Pleasing Block – Thankfully this was at the bottom of my results. With this block, your writing efforts are overshadowed by your desire to please other people. You tend to put more time and energy into helping others with their writing rather than focusing on your own progress. This is about losing your creative vision while catering to the demands and needs of others.

* The Perfectionism Block – This block is driven by a fear of being imperfect and it prevents you from taking creative risks. You never finish your manuscript because you obsess over every word and plotting detail, and you worry that any imperfection means your writing isn’t done yet. You can tell you’re in this block when you’re constantly fixing and tweaking the story. 

* The Procrastination Block – Procrastination causes you to delay writing, especially the most difficult parts of your story. Rather than tackle those parts, you find other tasks to distract you, or you wait for inspiration to strike. This isn’t laziness, but sidestepping discomfort and uncertainty, such as revising the messy first draft or writing complex scenes.

However, getting involved in other tasks isn’t necessarily procrastination or avoidance if you use that time to think through a plot problem. Whenever a writer friend of mine feels stuck, she goes for a walk. Usually by the time she returns to her desk, she’s found a solution to her plotting problem.

In my experience, procrastination seems more a symptom of being blocked rather than a block in and of itself. Perhaps that category should be renamed as Distraction or Avoidance Block.


* The Rebellion Block – This block occurs when you’re driven to defy expectations to the point that your creativity is squashed. You tend to get stuck because you insist on doing things your way rather than follow established structures or formulas. You seek creative freedom at all costs. While there’s nothing wrong with setting yourself apart from other writers and finding your own voice, the Rebellion Block stymies your efforts to grow as a writer.

* The Validation Block – In this block, you’re focused on external rewards and the trappings of success. Think positive reviews, seeing your name in print and receiving accolades. The drive for external validation can overshadow your love for writing. Because you’re focused on success metrics, not the creative process, your progress can be stymied.

* The Victim Block – This block causes you to feel perpetually misunderstood. A single rejection or bad review can linger in your psyche for months, making you feel hopeless and despondent. You’re convinced that others can’t see your creative talent or appreciate your vision. So you learn not to share your work with others or you give up on writing altogether.

I can see how blocks show up at different points in the creative process. For example, the Logician is more likely to show up in the revision phase when you need to focus on structure and technique. Meanwhile, Idea Chasing may be more ideal at the initial drafting or brainstorming phase. Blocks are a problem when they appear at inappropriate times during your creative process.

Which issue blocks you from achieving your creative dream? Give the assessment a try. Find out for yourself which writing block stands in the way of your success. 

How to Connect with Readers in Four Simple Steps

~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment
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It’s often said that to be a successful writer, it’s important to connect with readers. That’s true, whether you’re writing nonfiction, memoir or fiction. Connecting with readers through social media and marketing newsletters is one thing, but connecting with them through story telling requires a different mindset and skills set.

Think of this connection another way, more like a partnership or collaboration. Each party brings certain skills and experiences to the table. That collaborative experience occurs during the actual reading of the book when the reader is consuming the author’s words. The two partners create the story together: readers with their imagination, and writers with their pen.

You can’t have the story without the reader in mind. Readers are always looking for good stories to consume. They want to love the stories you write, and they can’t wait to be your partner.

Think about your own reading experience. Which authors resonated with you? Which ones drew you into their stories, made you follow along on the protagonist’s journey, to feel their pain and joy? That is the value of the writer-reader connection. That is what it looks like and feels like, and that is what we, as writers, should strive to achieve.

In this collaborative relationship, writers contribute the following:

* Creativity and imagination, a spark of an idea for the story in the first place.
* Sweat equity and perseverance to get the story done
* Their heart to provide the emotional depth
* Life experience to tap into to make the story relatable for their readers

Readers provide the following:

* Time away from their daily tasks to immerse themselves in the author’s work
* A desire to be educated or entertained or to simply escape into a different world.
* Life experience that contributes, and sometimes enhances, their understanding of the stories they’re reading.

Fantasy author K.M. Weiland describes this partnership this way:

“Our job is to guide the readers’ imagination, but it’s their job to put their imagination to work in the first place. The story that their minds project will never be exactly the one we, not to mention their fellow readers, see.”

As writers, how do you connect with readers? There are four steps to achieve this.

1. Understand readers’ expectations of your genre. Each genre has certain required elements and story structure. Without them, most stories fail to appeal to readers. For example, in contemporary rom-coms, readers expect a light-hearted tone, playful banter between the love interests and a happy ending. Without those elements, you can’t truly call it a romance and readers will be disappointed. To connect with readers, make sure you live up to their expectations and give them what they want.

2. Create relatable characters. Or more specifically, a protagonist they can believe in and relate to, one they are willing to follow on their journey. Give characters a flaw or two, make them face problems on the way to achieving their goals, and give them talents that will help them overcome those obstacles. Make readers care about your characters.

Book coach Karyn Fischer suggests giving your protagonist a quirk or unique personality feature to make them stand out, such as an odd-looking tattoo that has a personal meaning to them or an ability to do magic tricks. Those features or talents make them memorable. 

3. Create emotional tension. Stories laden with emotion can leave a lasting impression on readers. That emotion can be created with conflict, opposing goals, secrets, danger, high stakes, even romantic tension. For example, the depth of emotion in The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is what makes that novel so memorable and why many readers name it as one of their favorites.

4. Consider readers’ life experience. As part of the collaboration between writers and readers, life experience plays a big role. Writers tap into their own life experience to create their stories, but so do readers, who use their life experience to acknowledge the experiences of the characters. Writers may not know what their readers have gone through in their personal lives, but they can create stories with common themes that most people have experienced, such as grief and loss, career achievement, friendship, self-doubt, community and hopefulness. It is this shared experience that can create the best connections with readers. 

Writing might be a solo endeavor, but readers are also part of the journey. When you think of story telling as a shared experience between writer and reader, you won’t feel so alone when you write your next story.

Overcoming Rewriting Paralysis

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Whenever I get to the end of my first draft of whatever novel I’m working on, I’m filled with a range of emotions: joy, relief, satisfaction and pride. After spending weeks and months crafting a story I hope readers will love and creating characters I care about, I’m ready to celebrate.

The celebration is short-lived, however. Because I know there’s more work to do. A LOT more work. Being an intuitive writer, I don’t do much planning beforehand except sketching out the initial scenes. By the end of the drafting phase, my manuscript is a mess. That’s when I come face to face with the monster in the room – the rewrite.

For me, revision and rewriting is a daunting process, much like getting my wisdom teeth pulled. I usually spend hours staring at my pages wondering what to do next.

Recently, I came across a term for this. It’s called rewriting paralysis, defined by a state of being stuck and unable to move forward with a writing project because you’re frozen by the daunting task of revision.

For more information, check out this excellent piece by creativity coach Anne Carley who explains what rewriting paralysis is all about. There are several signs that you’re experiencing rewriting paralysis (sometimes called analysis paralysis because you’re over-analyzing a writing problem).

* You experience brain freeze. Or what others might call writer’s block. After looking at so many scenes, your mind goes numb. You wonder if you’ve covered every aspect of your story. Even if you do sense you’re missing a scene or two, your brain stops working. When you try to finish your story, the words won’t come.

* You feel emotionally spent. You’ve poured so much of your emotional energy into writing the first draft that you have nothing left for the rewrite.

* Your inner critic takes over the creative process. Maybe it berates you for sloppy work or keeps reminding you that you’re wasting your time. The critic’s non-stop chatter discourages you from finishing the rewrite.

* Self-doubt creeps in. Now that you’ve finished the draft, you’ve given the manuscript time and space to breathe. But in that space, the critic’s cousin Self-Doubt makes its presence known.  The more you doubt yourself, the more you wonder if you’re doing the right thing or if you should start over.

* You feel overwhelmed by the task ahead. Paralysis sets in because the project suddenly seems too big and overwhelming to tackle on your own. You’ve created a monster, but now you wonder how to turn it into Cinderella. You’re not sure how or where to begin the rewrite process, so you set aside the manuscript and hope for inspiration.

Fortunately, there are remedies to re-energize your project and push through the rewriting phase. I’ve experimented with some of these with some success. They might help you too.

Strategy 1: If the project seems too big and overwhelming, it might help to attack the rewrite by breaking it down into smaller sections, working through each Act or several scenes at a time. Author and book coach Janice Hardy suggests creating an editorial map that lets you see how your story is progressing. She also recommends creating a revision plan to organize each edit and check them off as you finish them.

Strategy 2: Draft a synopsis of your current work-in-progress. The end of the first draft may be the perfect time to draft a synopsis to make sure the story is progressing the way you imagined. The synopsis can reveal problem areas that need to be fixed. For example, when I drafted a synopsis for my current project, it revealed part of my protagonist’s backstory that explained why she felt so conflicted toward her deceased mother. Up to that point, that backstory had been a mystery to me.

Strategy 3: Review story structure. Paralysis might occur because you haven’t worked out the plot of your story, or it might be missing certain elements. The end of the drafting phase might be a good time to review story structure. There are multiple structure types, and it’s not always easy to choose the best one that fits your story. For information about story structure, check out this guide from Reedsy or this blog series and book, Structuring Your Novel by author K. M. Weiland.

Strategy 4: Study the revision process or take a course in revision. Author and book coach Jessica Brody teaches an online self-study course The Complete Novel Revision course which breaks down the process into three levels: story edits, scene edits and page edits. Whether you follow Brody’s process or use someone else’s, it takes time to review, reassess and rewrite your story to whip it into shape. Be patient with yourself and with the process.

Of course, before starting any rewriting or revising, it’s helpful to set aside the draft for a few weeks or months. Then print out the manuscript and read through it as a reader would. The time away from your story will clear your head and you’ll see the story with fresh eyes.

Armed with these strategies, you can easily overcome rewriting paralysis and create the novel of your dreams.

Kick Off November with These Holiday-Themed Writing Prompts

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I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather lately, so I don’t have a story planned for this week. But because November is Creative Writing Month, I wanted to help you stay motivated to keep writing. Whether you’re participating in a writing challenge or simply want to rev up your writing routine, there are plenty of story ideas to test your creativity. 

To get you started, here’s 25 prompts to keep you busy during the month and hopefully put you into the holiday spirit. Pick one, two or ten, then let your imagination run wild. These stories can be as short or as long as you want. Most importantly, have fun.

1. Write about someone (male or female) who attempts to host Thanksgiving dinner for the first time.

2. It’s the first snowfall of the year. Write about someone who is seeing snow for the first time.

3. Write about someone who falls for a holiday shopping scam. What do they learn from the experience? Do they help catch the thief?

4. Write about a pie eating contest featuring either pumpkin or apple pie.

5. The person hired to play Santa at the Thanksgiving Day Parade fails to show. What happens next?

6. Several college students who barely know one another drive home together for Thanksgiving break during a snowstorm.

7. A candy cane factory has come up with a couple of new, unusual flavors. What are those flavors? How do customers respond?

8. A young woman shops for jewelry for gifts and is persuaded by the shopkeeper to try on a rather ostentatious ring. When the ring gets stuck on her finger, what does she do next to get it off?

9. A family attempts to cut down their own Christmas tree for the first time with surprising results.

10. On Christmas morning, you find a gift on your doorstep. What is the gift? Who is it from? Why did they give it to you?

11. Write a note of gratitude to someone who helped you in the past.

12. Imagine you have a pet turkey. One morning, it suddenly begins to speak. What does it say?

13. You have a chance to invite a celebrity – alive or dead – to Thanksgiving dinner. What do you talk about over your festive meal?

14. You participate in a Christmas cookie challenge with several participants. What cookie do you make? What unusual ingredients or techniques do you use to set your cookies apart?

15. During the Thanksgiving Day parade, one of the oversized balloons experiences a mishap. What happens to the balloon and how does the crowd react?

16. Describe your favorite Thanksgiving Day food and the memories they bring you.

17. A group of friends or family members make one last hike through the woods before Thanksgiving break.

18. An angel visits you one November night. What message do they bring you?

19. November arrives with an unexpected guest – someone wants to spend the entire month with you. Describe this person, their reasons for making this request and how your home life is altered because of their presence.

20. Create a place called The November Cafe. Describe the cafe and what is offered on the menu.

21. During a family get together, an older family member reveals a secret they’ve kept from everyone for 20 years. What is their secret? How does it impact the family?

22. What is your Thanksgiving Day feast like? Describe what you eat complete with the sights, smells and taste.

23. Write a story about a mishap or accident at Santa’s toy workshop. What happened? Did anyone get hurt?

24. You discover a magical mode of transportation. What is it and where does it take you? What else happens on your journey?

25. It’s a week before Christmas, and you find yourself in the emergency room at the hospital. How did you get there? Did you have an accident yourself, or are you there to help someone else?

Five Ways to Write a Scary Good Story

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The following post originally appeared on The Regal Writer in 2020. It’s been edited and reposted here, just in time for Halloween.

Author Carmen Maria Machado once said, “How do you tell interesting stories? You puncture through reality and you let magic and weird stuff and ghosts bleed back through.”

I thought about this statement while pondering what to write about scary stories. All I could think about was the following vignette I saw on TV (Night Gallery, I think) many years ago. 

In this vignette, a man is at the kitchen sink washing dishes one night. As he finishes, he notices a tiny spider crawl out of the drain. He turns on the faucet to drown the creature or force it back down the drain. Seconds later, the spider returns, this time a little larger than before. The man turns on the faucet again to shove it back down the drain. This happens several more times, each time the spider grows a little bigger. Panic and fear sets in. The man’s eyes grow large and he begins to sweat. At the end, you see a close up of the man’s face as he stares up at the spider off screen. Then the screen goes black as the man screams.

The audience is left to wonder: Did the spider kill the man? Or did his fear of the spider kill him?

There was no blood or gore in this scene, but it was still scary (to me, at least) because it fed on my imagination – and the man’s fear. Logically, we know it’s not physically possible for a spider to grow so quickly under the rush of running water. Yet we saw it happen on the TV screen over and over. The man may have been afraid of spiders, but it was our imaginations that filled in the blanks.  
I believe that is the appeal – and the power –  of a truly scary story. It’s usually not the blood and gore that scares people; it’s the hint that something awful is about to happen.

Writing scary stories – whether about oversized spiders, brain-eating zombies or ghostly hauntings – can be a challenge for some writers, who may find it easier to conjure a creepy creature than follow the elements of good storytelling. How do you scare the bejesus out of readers when you have to pay attention to mundane things like plot structure, character and dialogue? Fortunately, there are ways to write spine-tingling scenes that readers will rave about.

1. Tap into your own fears. Horror author Shirley Jackson believed tapping into your deepest fears made the best scary stories. Think about all the things that scared you as a child, and what makes you afraid now. Most people admit to being afraid of snakes or spiders. Others fear drowning, being buried alive, thunderstorms, enclosed spaces, and suffocation. Any of these things can be the basis for a scary story. Tap into your fears and see what comes out from them.

2. Get inside the narrator’s head. Author R.L. Stine liked writing his teen horror stories from the first person POV so readers could view the action through the protagonist’s eyes. When the protagonist and her friends explore an abandoned warehouse late at night, readers see what they see, what they hear and what they feel, just as they do.

3. Create a good hidden monster. Sometimes the best monsters aren’t creepy-looking at all, but look like normal people like you and me. It can be the boy next door, a teacher at school or even the family pet. On the surface, they seem innocent, but maybe they possess a strange, magic power or worse, a diabolical, evil streak that no one else sees. Even more compelling is the evil being that never dies. It keeps coming back to life no matter how many times a protagonist tries to kill it – like the poor homeowner who couldn’t drown the ever-growing spider. One of the creepiest ways to end a story is by hinting that the monster is alive and well, and is prepared to kill again.

4. Write about your own obsessions. Is there an experience you can’t quite forget? A relationship you can’t get over? A friend who betrayed you? We all have our obsessions, things we can’t let go of. We all have those dark places within us where anger, jealousy and greed reside. Use those obsessive dark places to create your scary stories.

5. Make the story relevant to your reader. Think about the setting of your story. Sometimes seeing the story take place in a familiar place can be unsettling for readers. Instead of the overused haunted house, set the story in a library, school, a public park or the local coffee shop. Add modern elements too, such as cell phones and social media. There’s nothing more terrifying than getting a threatening text message from an evil adversary or someone who supposedly died long ago.

6. Take your ghostly and weird creations seriously. Not everyone will appreciate the scary beings born out of your imagination. That’s okay, as long as you do. Sci-fi author Ray Bradbury says the strangest, weirdest beings you create represent fear in some form. Furthermore, writers should be selective about whose criticisms they believe.

“I have never listened to anyone who criticized my taste in space travel, sideshows or gorillas,” Bradbury once said. “When this occurs, I pack up my dinosaurs and leave the room.”

The scariest stories aren’t necessarily about blood and gore, although for some people, that’s enough. Sometimes the mere hint of something mysterious or creepy can scare readers. Anything that draws on their personal fears and overactive imaginations may be enough to scare the heck out of them.