Tension and suspense are key to gripping your reader. Conflict is what makes a story interesting but there is boring conflict and then there is natural and tense conflict! You want the latter if you can! I will be talking today about natural conflict and tension using the latest Planet of the Apes franchise to… Continue reading How to create natural tension and conflict in your narrative
What’s truly scary (motivation for the last 2 months of the year)
You know what’s scarier than getting on the plane? Never having left your hometown and widened your perspective. To stay small and inexperienced, not understanding, on a deeper personal level, the other cultures and beauties in this world. That’s terrifying. You know what’s scarier than publishing a book and being judged? Not publishing and bearing… Continue reading What’s truly scary (motivation for the last 2 months of the year)
Preptober – how to prepare for NaNoWriMo (or simply writing a novel quickly)
For those of you who don't know, I wrote my 84,000-word novel this year in about 5 weeks. This did not include writing every day. NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is about writing 50,000 words in a month, so in a way, I did that this year already! However, I do want to do a… Continue reading Preptober – how to prepare for NaNoWriMo (or simply writing a novel quickly)
NaNoWriMo 2022 – what I’m doing
I’m making my own rules for this year's NaNoWriMo. For those who don't know, NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month. Usually, writers and novelists all over the world will try to write 50,000 words in a month. This is usually in November. Although I'm quite busy, I would like to participate. However, I'm making my… Continue reading NaNoWriMo 2022 – what I’m doing
What to do about creative confusion
Many creators talk about writers block or feeling creatively stuck but what about feeling confusion in your creativity? When you have a lot of ideas and feel confused and unsure about where to go with them. This is how I feel at the moment. I started writing a semi-autobiographical story. It felt like a really… Continue reading What to do about creative confusion
I’m not boring. You’re just bored!
I’ve always been called boring. Less so in adulthood, but many times in my developing years. As an introverted, shy girl, I was “boring” to many of my more extroverted peers and family members. But it took me to reach my 27th year to realise that I’m not boring. Not at all! I’m not boring… Continue reading I’m not boring. You’re just bored!
There’s more to you than you think
Sometimes we don’t realise how deep our personality and interests go. Just as a fun exercise, I have written the things I like/about me down below. If you’re nosy, have a nose! But I encourage you to do the same when you feel a little disconnected from yourself. Remind yourself who you are and how… Continue reading There’s more to you than you think
My Sunday Reset Routine
Sundays (or the day before you return to work for a new week) are perfect for shedding off the week and setting yourself up for the week ahead. Here are some of the things I do to reset for a new week on Sundays. (I don’t always complete this list. It’s just the ideal Sunday… Continue reading My Sunday Reset Routine
How to relieve feelings of Seasonal Affected Disorder (Low mood due to seasonal changes)
I've suffered from SAD for a while now. It's not always bad for me, it depends, but I am hyperaware of the change in the season, weather, and the length of the days. It's darker, colder, and greyer, so it's not so surprising that it makes us feel low sometimes. If you, like me, want… Continue reading How to relieve feelings of Seasonal Affected Disorder (Low mood due to seasonal changes)
I want stories to tell
I realised today that I am not a writer. Yes, I write. Yes, I can write well at times. But I am not a writer. A writer, to me, sounds like someone who is an expert; or enjoys it; or is well-practiced in the wielding of words. Words are their tools. They’re a wordsmith. Maybe… Continue reading I want stories to tell
S. R. Crawford 