Writing Good Sex Scenes
Alida explains how to write good sex scenes, including the one thing you should never do. This is a clean discussion that acknowledges people have sex and writers write sex scenes.
Embody Your POV Character (why that’s important)
Learning to embody your POV (point of view) character is critical to writing impactful scenes, especially action scenes. By action, I don't mean fist fights and car chases, though they certainly count. I mean any scene in which your POV character is acting. That's...
Heart Your Character
Your character is the heart of your story. No other story element has the power of character to turn readers into fans. Make sure you treat your characters well. This week I'm beginning a new project. A foray into video with the Word Essential 60-Second Writing Tips....
A Literary Pilgrimage of Sorts
This week, I go to Sauk Centre, Minnesota to conduct paranormal research for the Skoghall Mysteries and to make a literary pilgrimage to the home of a Nobel Laureate.
Character Arc Confusion
What is a character arc? What does it mean to make your character a different person at the end of the story than he was at the beginning? Read on.
Hooray for Minor Characters!
One person’s minor character is another person’s stereotype. What’s an author to do?
Do You Know Your Production Rate? — Guest Post
Today, I am excited to introduce you to Matt Herron, who will discuss production rates for writers. Matt is working with me on the Story Craft Books Project, along with Kathryn Arnold, who has also written a guest post for the Word Essential blog. I'm thrilled...
Living Characters–Guest Post
Kathryn Arnold is working with me on my story craft series. She's a talented, young writer working on an intriguing fantasy. When I put out the call for apprentices to work with me on the craft books, Kathryn's response showed that she's perceptive and thoughtful. She...
Show and Tell
When to write in scene and when to use narrative exposition to move your story forward.
Read moreAvoid hyper-realism in your writing.
Avoid Hyper-realism
Avoid hyper-realism in your writing. This applies to fiction and nonfiction, especially narrative nonfiction, but I’m going to talk about it in the context of story. Hyper-realism is when you let the details of what your character is doing bog down the pace of the...
I'm Alida
I help people express their gifts to the world.
I do not believe in formulas. I believe that the stories we are compelled to tell the world make demands on us, and it is our privilege to meet those demands in order to reach the most people in the most authentic and compelling way possible.
