Writing Lessons & Advice: Elements of Strong Writing
A pop cultural debate that surfaces around the end of the year is what makes a movie fall into the Christmas category. Many rightfully fit in because they center on characters, images, or buzzwords connected to the holidays. Others hone in on values or themes like tradition, life, love, joy, peace, charity, and sometimes spirituality. More still, some flicks are considered Christmassy simply for having a scene or plot set on Christmas Eve or Day (Looking at you, Die Hard !).
Writing Lessons & Advice: Tone
Have you ever been told to watch your tone during a conversation? A combination of your voice, emotions, and attitude may have gotten...
Writing Lessons & Advice: Info Dumps
How does a prepared food dish end up less enjoyable than it could be, if not ruined altogether? Too much flavor could have been used or...
Writing Lessons & Advice: Theme
Theme is the heart of the story Many of the necessary story elements have tangible aspects that make them easy to identify or develop....
Writing Lessons & Advice: Show-and-Tell
To the average Joe, the term show-and-tell might conjure up memories from early school days when they or classmates brought special items from home with the purpose of presenting them to peers. The objects on display were anything from favorite toys or trinkets to bizzare, questionable, or adult things kids didn’t fully understand . In a similar vein, writers practice an aptly-named technique of show-and-tell that encourages balance between basic summation and an elaborate de
