Category: show don’t tell
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Warning: No Info Dumping, Part 1
Let’s talk about some do’s anLet’s talk about some do’s and don’t’s of info-dumping. I try to find ways to include how things work in my sci-fi and fantasy stories, but I’m not always sure I avoid info-dumping. I try to. But it’s an easy trap to fall into, especially as a speculative fiction writer.…
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NaNoWriMo Day 6: the 4th step
My writing process for NaNoWriMo 2022: I am working on two novellas for NaNoWriMo 2022, but to be honest, I will only get through one of them. I will reach 50,000 words by the end of November, but I will probably only end up with a rough draft of one of them which is called…
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Infographic: Writing Style
Writing style is one of those things that is a balance between noticing it and not drawing attention to itself. Below are some suggestions to add your own writing style to your fiction. Download this infographic. Photo by Rogério Martins
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Friday’s Findings: July 2022 Camp NaNoWriMo Update #4
Working on more than one WIP at once Well, Camp NaNoWriMo will be over Sunday night. So far, I’ve written 25,7000 words out of my 25,000 goal. But one of my less tangible goals was to successfully navigate three WIPs simultaneously. I’ve definitely learned some things about writing three WIP at once. Good things. For…
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Silas House and Where He Finds Inspiration
In a post from last week, I discussed weaving in backstory to avoid infodumps. Coincidentally, the day I posted it on this blog, I attended the Speed Art Museum that evening where Kentucky author Silas House spoke on the subject. One thing he said stuck out to me: “I believe there’s a very thing veil…
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Avoid Infodumps: Dole Out Information
As I write my current draft for my WIP called Traption, I am trying to avoid infodumps. One way to avoid heaping a mound of story-stopping background details is to weave the information throughout the story. Use dialogue. Use a short flashback. Use inner monologue. Doling out the information a little here, a little there,…
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Friday’s Findings: The Story on Two Levels
I believe I’ve quoted this fiction writing axiom before, but Terry Pratchett said, “The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” With this year’s NaNoWriMo, I’m finding out how true this is. I’m feeling exactly what he was talking about. I spent September and October prepping my story. I made up characters. I…
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Friday’s Findings: Writers Retreat
This weekend, I’m having a writer’s retreat. I’m the only one attending. Two of my friends are going on their 2nd honeymoon and asked me if I’d like to watch their cat and their awesome house. How is it awesome? First of all, it’s gorgeous. Secondly, it’s in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by forest…
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She Narrowed Her Eyes: Emotions into Body Language
One thing I look for when writing a characters emotions is body language. How does anger translate in a person’s expression, posture and movement? How does shock? How should a writer transcribe what their characters feel into tangible body language? Let’s break it down. First, I want to thank author K. M. Weiland for introducing…
Andrew M. Friday 