Literary Blog
It might seem like there is a big difference between a story being good and great. When really a great story is just a good one topped with a few magical ingredients. Needless to say, we all strive to create something great, but to become great, one must first start with good. I like to… Continue reading What makes a good story?
I dare say all writers have been told at least once to 'show not tell'. This advice means that one should write showing actions and sensory details to convey the feelings and emotions of the character. At first glance, this sounds like solid advice, but it doesn't hold any deeper examination. But lefts begin with… Continue reading ‘Show don’t tell’ is a LIE
Everyone knows that the first chapter (or first few pages in a screenplay) is one of the most important things to get right. We know this as readers ourselves but also because it has been hammered into our heads by pretty much everyone in the creative writing industry. There are countless articles about first-page mistakes… Continue reading Writing: 6 Ways to Improve Your First Chapter
In my last post, I talked about character-building basics when writing. Now I want to dig deeper and share one of the easiest ways to create a personality and backstory for your character. If you haven't heard about it, it's called the Enneagram method. Enneagram is a personality type system divided into nine basic personality types.
A character is at the centre of a plotline and responsible for making or breaking a story. Make the character too perfect, and they will be uninteresting and flat. Make them too imperfect, and the reader/audience will not be able to relate, nor will they empathize. What, then, is that fine line between perfect and imperfect character, and why should you even care? Let's jump right into it.
I have met many people in my life whom I can categorize in one way or another, but when talking about those who succeed and those who don't, I have found one specific characteristic that differs between these two types of people.
When people or situations show you through actions and events that they are not of high value; believe them. And don't be one of those fools who recognize low value but think it can be transformed into high value. It can't! Some people have a helping syndrome that manifests in a way that they are always trying to fix other people. Unfortunately, the brutal truth is that change, all change, happens only through self-realization and self-motivation. We cannot change people if the change doesn't spark within them, if they don't push themselves to change.
Aristotle once said that knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom, but it is also the foundation for a good life. And a good life is as close to complete happiness as any of us will ever get. As we move through life we will face many obstacles, and experience sorrow and loss, but we will also find solace in fleeting moments of happiness. And that's exactly what happiness is; a fleeting moment.
I think anyone would find it hard to argue that in today's world we could do with a bit more kindness. Social media culture has fortunately given everyone a voice that can be heard but also allowed a lot of frustrated people to spread negativity and insults while hiding behind the invisible mask of anonymity.