Do you always have to write what you know? And what defines what you know? How do you craft a character based on yourself? What about characters we have nothing in common with? We talk about building worlds based on our own, and where we research in order to create compelling worlds. In need of research assistance? We offer a wealth of resources we find useful, and recommend that you read bibliographies!
Alida discusses the benefits of a writers retreat and ways to make one affordable. Enjoy pictures of beautiful Lake Superior and get inspired!
This week, Alida discusses the common problems of writing past your hooks & killing your endnotes. Not sure what a hook is or why you need one? Watch & learn!
What is agency? And how do you keep your protagonist active? Do coincidences and natural disasters take away character agency? What is they try/fail cycle and what does Alida have against it? What is the difference between a reaction and a response? When should you plan your characters agency? And how do you handle reaction scenes? In the end just ask yourself: “did my character lose a hand?”. If he did, then you have a pretty good chance – he’s active!
Alida discusses two often-used phrases you should avoid. They’re trite, hackneyed, and at this point, cringe-worthy. Watch & take the pledge!
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.
