Writing Roots

Genres can be tricky things for new authors. The genre often determines the audience, writing style, and even basic themes contained in the book. Many new authors ask in forums across the internet which genre is best for their book. This series is dedicated to those authors, in hopes of answering those questions. Each episode will break down a different genre, from the expected word count to the sentence structure.

Fantasy is one of the most popular genres for writing, whether it be high or urban or anything in between. This episode focuses on what it means to write fantasy and why it is one of the best genres for those with a big imagination.

First aired March 2, 2020.

The post S8E1 – The Fantasy Genre appeared first on Writing Roots.

There are so many tropes attached to women in fiction, many of them unflattering and unrealistic. The “Mary Sue,” which we covered at the beginning of the month, is just a drop in the bucket. Everyone can think of a book, movie, or some kind of entertainment that includes absurd depictions of women. Sometimes it’s the supermodel who, somehow, can fight ten men while wearing heels. Sometimes it’s body parts that are given expressions of their own, completely disconnected from the woman’s own emotions. Sometimes it’s simply making women shallow, not only in personality, but in characterization.

Women in fiction should reflect women in reality, just like men in fiction should reflect men in reality. There should be real emotions, realistic physiology, and and real depth.

First aired February 29, 2020.

The post S7 Bonus – Women in Fiction appeared first on Writing Roots.

Across all forms of story, you can find similarities and themes. Plots have recognizable structures, main characters almost always fight for good in some way, and there is usually a change in status quo. Sometimes, though, those themes transform into tropes, whether good or bad. Tropes are devices or elements used in story-telling that become recognizable through their consistent use. Like any other literary device, tropes are tools. They are not inherently bad, nor inherently good. We are taking this month to talk about some of the more common tropes, what they are, how they can be used correctly, and why you should be aware they exist.

A feature of many stories – from ancient to modern – is a struggle between good and evil, light and dark, selfishness and selflessness. Mankind is usually in between. In some version, especially those that lean towards comedy or parody, it is represented literally with an angel and a devil on the shoulder. Sigmund Freud used Id, Ego, and Superego to represent the same kind of struggle. Knowing these ideas can help author create real, personal struggle for their characters that should, like humans in general, be stuck somewhere in the middle.

First aired February 27, 2020.

The post S7E8 – Shoulder Angels appeared first on Writing Roots.

Across all forms of story, you can find similarities and themes. Plots have recognizable structures, main characters almost always fight for good in some way, and there is usually a change in status quo. Sometimes, though, those themes transform into tropes, whether good or bad. Tropes are devices or elements used in story-telling that become recognizable through their consistent use. Like any other literary device, tropes are tools. They are not inherently bad, nor inherently good. We are taking this month to talk about some of the more common tropes, what they are, how they can be used correctly, and why you should be aware they exist.

It happens in so many books, movies, and especially television shows. The main characters are seemingly immortal. Nothing can kill them because they’re the main character. If they do die, they are somehow brought back to life. This is a trope known as Plot Armor. While sometimes necessary, if taken to an extreme it can leave the reader uninterested and far from invested in the plight of your protagonist.

First aired February 25, 2020.

(We apologize for the delayed posting of this episode. The audio proof editor encountered some personal delays.)

The post S7E7 – Plot Armor appeared first on Writing Roots.

Across all forms of story, you can find similarities and themes. Plots have recognizable structures, main characters almost always fight for good in some way, and there is usually a change in status quo. Sometimes, though, those themes transform into tropes, whether good or bad. Tropes are devices or elements used in story-telling that become recognizable through their consistent use. Like any other literary device, tropes are tools. They are not inherently bad, nor inherently good. We are taking this month to talk about some of the more common tropes, what they are, how they can be used correctly, and why you should be aware they exist.

Writing a great ending is a challenge. Authors spend the whole book making sure the protagonist faces problems they can’t overcome. But the good guy is supposed to win in the end, right? That’s where a Deus Ex Machina comes in: an easy way out of a tough corner that is guaranteed to frustrate the reader. It’s a trope that, in many opinions, should never be used. This episode discusses why, and how to avoid needing the machinery of the gods in the first place.

First aired February 20, 2020.

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