Writing is hard. It is. Not because writing something is hard, because technically everyone can write something. Not because coming up with good ideas is hard, because all kinds of people (extraordinary and not so extraordinary) can come up with ideas everyday. No, writing is hard because: Discipline - it takes discipline to sit with… Continue reading Why Writing is Hard
Tag: writing characters
What Do Children Want and Need from a Book?
By children, I mean middle grade (8-14) really. I've been thinking about this a lot, as someone who plans to be a middle grade author in the not too distant future. What do children want and need from a book in this day and age? Because, I bet it's not the same as 5 years… Continue reading What Do Children Want and Need from a Book?
How to Become a Writer (Beginner’s Guide)
*Here is MY advice on how you can become a writer, too. In no way is this the ONLY way to becoming a writer...* Write…a lot and often The only way to be a writer is to write. Even if you do nothing else on this list, you need to write. Writers write. If you… Continue reading How to Become a Writer (Beginner’s Guide)
Ways I’m Trying to Improve My Writing
There are so many different types of writers out there, and they probably have different ways of improving or practicing their craft. I thought I would share with you the ways I am trying to improve my writing and develop personally, too. Here they are: Read every day: duh...I already do this but I'm also expanding… Continue reading Ways I’m Trying to Improve My Writing
Book Review: Children of Blood and Bone
I just finished reading Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi this morning, and I had to post a review because of how excited I was about it before reading it. However, it wasn't all that I wanted it to be. Here's why... *MILD SPOILERS MAY BE IN THIS POST - BEWARE!* The Bad… Continue reading Book Review: Children of Blood and Bone
How to Handle Criticism
As a budding writer or author, you will suffer through a great deal of criticism. Everyone's a critic, and everyone criticises art. That means you and your work will be a big target. They'll say your writing is dull. Your writing is too descriptive. Your characters don't work. Your plot doesn't make sense. Your plot… Continue reading How to Handle Criticism
Why “Red Queen” Wasn’t All That
Under-developed characters: I felt that Mare Barrow (the main character) was very meh for me. She seemed bland and just an accessory for the story instead of a strong, developed, real character. I didn't care about her or her story. I didn't like her. And I just couldn't get into her person. In fact, I… Continue reading Why “Red Queen” Wasn’t All That
Writing Advice NOT to Take
"Never start a story with the weather" - you can do whatever you like, as long as it's not boring! "Write what you know" - yes, you should explore what you know first, definitely. But if you want to write something else, do it! Technically, I started writing a love story before I knew what… Continue reading Writing Advice NOT to Take
What Makes a Character Bad
They make decisions that don't really make sense. They're bad to be bad. They have no history. They don't want anything. There's nothing driving them forwards except you, the writer. They're a meh character. Nothing about them is interesting. No one cares about them. They aren't realistic. Maybe they're perfect or never make mistakes or… Continue reading What Makes a Character Bad
How to Create a Character Profile
Anyone who is serious about writing a story, especially one with a lot of characters, should know what a character profile is - and use them. Take my fantasy series, for example, there are over 160 main-ish characters throughout the 4 books. Yes, that many! In order to keep up, and know each of them… Continue reading How to Create a Character Profile
S. R. Crawford 