*Mild spoilers for Game of Thrones Season 8!* I can't remember who said it, but someone once said that they write their stories (books, tv, whatever) and then once it's published, it's out there, it no longer belongs to them; it belongs to each individual consumer. I like this because after all the upset over Game… Continue reading Interpreting Stories: What Makes Them Good or Bad?
Tag: storytelling
Knowing The Story You Want To Tell
What does it mean to "know the story you want to tell" and how does it help us as writers? It's not about plot and characters. It's so much more than that and I've found real depth and writing satisfaction from my work when I've actually known the story I want to tell. Here's how… Continue reading Knowing The Story You Want To Tell
The Villains In Our Lives
In life, and in stories, there are often perceived villains: things or people that cause conflict and pain. In regards to stories, I find the most interesting ones to be when there is no villain. No one that we can see, anyway. Today, I wanted to discuss villains in regards to our own lives and… Continue reading The Villains In Our Lives
“Write What You Know”
I wanted to quickly unpack this piece of writing advice: "Write what you know". I've heard it so many times before and I used to think, "Well, that's stupid. I'm writing a fantasy, and so I can't write what I know. I've never been to a fantasy world or fought in wars!" Oh, Siana, how… Continue reading “Write What You Know”
The Three Morals of My Current Story
My current work in progress is a novel about five young artists at an art school (university) in England. They've all got their fair share of problems and at the school, they are able to confront these and finally better their lives. I wanted the theme of Identity to be at the centre of the… Continue reading The Three Morals of My Current Story
Life Lessons From Bojack Horseman
I've watched Bojack Horseman on Netflix through to the end. I'm now rewatching it. Why? Because it is brilliant. It is real and raw and doesn't shy away from the hard stuff even though to many, it may be written off as "just a cartoon". So, here's what I've learned about life from Bojack Horseman… Continue reading Life Lessons From Bojack Horseman
Relating to Characters More Than Real People
I love rewatching shows like Community, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Brooklyn 99, One Day at a Time, Gilmore Girls, and Parks and Recreation for mainly one reason: the characters. The storyline doesn't have to be great; it's the characters that I fall in love with. Characters that I can relate to, get life advice… Continue reading Relating to Characters More Than Real People
Book Format Comparisons: Kindle, Paperback, or Audiobook?
Kindle (or other e-Readers) Pros: Can store millions of books without worrying about space Can't decide which book to bring on vacation? Your Kindle has a horde ready and waiting on one device. Easier to hold than a heavy book or a book that you don't want to ruin the spine of Can highlight and… Continue reading Book Format Comparisons: Kindle, Paperback, or Audiobook?
How to Bring Diversity into your Story
I wanted to discuss this as someone who supports diversity, someone who feels underrepresented in books and films and TV, and someone who is an author who writes with diversity in mind. Everything I say is my own opinion and advice, said with good intentions... Be realistic The first thing to remember when writing diversity… Continue reading How to Bring Diversity into your Story
Black Authors to Read (Black History Month Inspired)
Here is a list of some truly inspiring, notable black authors and some of their works: Oprah {I've read some} Maya Angelou {I've read some} Martin Luther King & Coretta Scott King Malcolm X Alex Haley - Roots: The Saga of an American Family Tomi Adeyemi - The Children of Blood and Bone {I've read} Nic… Continue reading Black Authors to Read (Black History Month Inspired)
S. R. Crawford 