Symbolism is a tricky element for writers to master. Its ability to represent ideas and qualities requires deeper thought than other literary elements do. But when symbolism is used effectively, it can make a story even more powerful and unforgettable. Plus, its purpose can serve as another way of nurturing literary themes. Today, we’ll look… Read more »
I have a confession: I’ve been bitten by the adult coloring book “bug.” Granted that I only have one such book right now, but coloring has become a new favorite hobby recently. And judging from the phenomenal worldwide success of adult coloring books last year, millions of other people have fallen in love again with… Read more »
Whether we call it bravery or courage, today’s subject is defined as “the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous.” It allows us to find the moral or mental strength to face our fears and make unthinkable choices. An admirable trait, indeed – and one that’s often reflected at a higher… Read more »
Everyone communicates in some manner every day. We use emails, phone calls, and face-to-face conversations to share ideas, information, and feelings with other people. What happens, though, when communication is hindered by language, developmental disorders, or other barriers? Or when there’s a misunderstanding? Those obstacles can affect our relationships and prevent us – or our… Read more »
Music, painting, acting – art comes in many forms and can have a profound impact on our lives. It can also be a treat for the reader’s imagination when it takes center stage in a story. This never happens by coincidence, though. When art appears in fiction, it always has a purpose and therefore resonates… Read more »
No one can argue the importance of family. Whether loving or trying, our relationships with parents, children, and siblings – or the lack of such relationships – can have a huge impact on our lives. The same goes for literary characters. Their beliefs about family can be challenged, reshaped, or reaffirmed as a result of… Read more »
As a first-time attendee of Writer’s Digest Conference, I was thrilled to spend three days learning about the craft and business of writing. And with presentations offered on a wide range of topics including genre studies, writing techniques, and marketing strategies, I made sure to dabble in each. What I didn’t expect was that even… Read more »
The 2015 Writer’s Digest Conference may have been a few weeks ago, but I still keep thinking about it. That’s how incredible it was. Three days of learning about the craft and business of writing, and being surrounded not only by literary agents, editors, and published authors, but hundreds of other writers who share your… Read more »
So far in Developing Themes In Your Stories, we’ve covered character arcs, the story premise, and external conflict, which are all important building blocks for stories. Dialogue, however, is more of an interior design element. It adds color and life to a story and aids in the overall delivery. It’s also an excellent method for… Read more »
So far in our series Developing Themes In Your Stories, we’ve covered how understanding your protagonist’s character arc and developing your story’s premise sentence can help you consciously nurture literary themes. Today we’ll discuss a third way of mining for themes by looking outside your characters and studying the external conflict. Like with the previous… Read more »
