The token
in my story
was going to be
a golden heart,
until I heard
every book
crossing the desk
centered on
that symbol
of life and love,
so I decided
to move a beat
further into
another constant
of life: change.
Tag Archives: story
How to Use Ideas from Real Life in Stories
Use real life to inspire your stories. Here’s a great post about how to do that.
Turning Your Anecdote into a Short Story: Part 1 | WritingCompanion.
Don’t Let Agents, Editors, or Readers Stop After Your First Pages!
Check your opening and make sure these two reasons do not apply.
Top 2 Reasons Why I Pass On Sample Pages – Nelson Literary Agency.
The Contrary, Heavenly, and Cardinal Virtues
If you are looking for a theme in your book (if it’s a story, there is one), check out this interesting site. It lists the seven deadly sins, too. Add exaggeration (the most _______ in the world), and these qualities can help you create a powerful character.
Protagonists: Exceptions that Prove the Rule
Everyone who has taken an English class knows that every story has a protagonist. The audience lives the adventure through that main character. Sometimes, there seem to be exceptions, but when such a story works, it’s usually because the protagonist has taken a different form. Here’s an article about a popular film that seems to disobey the rule.
QueryTracker Blog: No protagonist? No problem! (but don’t try this at home).
The Bookshelf Muse: The Power of THEME
The Bookshelf Muse: The Power of THEME.
Theme could shift your novel from good to great.
QueryTracker Blog: Whose Story is This Anyway?
QueryTracker Blog: Whose Story is This Anyway?.
If you do not know about Query Tracker, it’s worth checking out. One bonus is their terrific email newsletter. This article is about a tricky but vital step in constructing a story–selecting the main character. It has happened to me, I know. A story that starts out one way turns another. This is well worth a read.
One Way to Wonder 