Writing Roots

Authors can always be served by returning to the basics of writing. We spend so much time focusing on the grand scale of books – plot, themes, sequels – that the simple pieces of writing which make a story stand out can be lost. This month, Writing Roots is focusing on the nitty gritty, from writing dialogue and humor to developing character voice.

There’s nothing quite like reading a book, expecting you know what’s coming, only to have a twist that surprises you in a good way. Those stories pull you in further, make you want to keep reading, to never put the book down. Plot twists like that, though, are difficult to craft. We discuss some principles that will help as you add twists to your own writing.

First aired January 30, 2020.

The post S6E9 – Writing Plot Twists appeared first on Writing Roots.

Authors can always be served by returning to the basics of writing. We spend so much time focusing on the grand scale of books – plot, themes, sequels – that the simple pieces of writing which make a story stand out can be lost. This month, Writing Roots is focusing on the nitty gritty, from writing dialogue and humor to developing character voice.

Three is the magic number when it comes to establishing something in writing. Whether it’s to solidify a joke or create a theme, having it three times in your book can make the difference between a reader remembering it and a reader wondering why it was there in the first place.

First aired January 27, 2020.

The post S6E8 – The Use of Three appeared first on Writing Roots.

Authors can always be served by returning to the basics of writing. We spend so much time focusing on the grand scale of books – plot, themes, sequels – that the simple pieces of writing which make a story stand out can be lost. This month, Writing Roots is focusing on the nitty gritty, from writing dialogue and humor to developing character voice.

Writing a good – and by this we mean interesting and compelling – villain can be a challenge. Many new writers want the best and most talented character to be the protagonist. That usually ends with a boring story, since the protagonist never faces any real challenges. Writing a villain is more than just giving the good guy opposition. It’s about motivations, similarities, and so much more.

First aired January 25, 2020.

The post S6 Bonus Episode – What Makes a Good Villain appeared first on Writing Roots.

Authors can always be served by returning to the basics of writing. We spend so much time focusing on the grand scale of books – plot, themes, sequels – that the simple pieces of writing which make a story stand out can be lost. This month, Writing Roots is focusing on the nitty gritty, from writing dialogue and humor to developing character voice.

Writing humor, for many authors, is one of the most difficult things they could try. A joke may seem bland, or the writer may worry it will fall flat. They may also worry a character they perceive as being the comic relief may not be seen the same by the readers. Writing humor isn’t always easy, but there are things that can help ease those worries. In this episode we talk about how humor works and the best uses in a story.

First aired January 23, 2020.

The post S6E7 – Writing Humor appeared first on Writing Roots.

Authors can always be served by returning to the basics of writing. We spend so much time focusing on the grand scale of books – plot, themes, sequels – that the simple pieces of writing which make a story stand out can be lost. This month, Writing Roots is focusing on the nitty gritty, from writing dialogue and humor to developing character voice.

Not every story has to be a tale of good versus evil, or a moral tale reminiscent of Aesop’s Fables. There are a lot of different ideas that can make the basis for a story. In this episode we talk about and share examples of stories that aren’t always good versus evil, including chaos versus law and nature versus technology.

First aired January 20, 2020.

The post S6E6 – Writing Stories Which Aren’t Good vs. Evil appeared first on Writing Roots.