Why do we tell stories? You could probably give me at least a million different reasons. We tell stories to entertain, distract, raise awareness, help others, even just to make money. Everyone has their own reason. But really, every storyteller has something in common. Deep down—so deep down, in some cases, that the person doesn't … Continue reading Why Does It Matter to Tell Stories that Matter?
books
Pixar Uses a Secret to Make Their Stories Unique—Now You Can Use It Too
Have you ever noticed that most protagonists are...kinda the same? Whether it’s a children’s picture book or an adult thriller novel, the protag usually falls into one of two categories: a boy (young man, man, etc.) looking for adventure or a girl (young woman, woman, etc.) looking for independence/freedom. The secondary character and/or best friend … Continue reading Pixar Uses a Secret to Make Their Stories Unique—Now You Can Use It Too
Reblog: How To Finish Writing A Book by Sara Flower Kjeldsen Writes
This post is for people who have great story ideas, but can’t seem to finish a book. I’ve definitely been there – my teens and early 20’s were consistently filled with moments of me being inspired, but not yet having the tools to finish a story. I’m going to share what has helped me finish […] … Continue reading Reblog: How To Finish Writing A Book by Sara Flower Kjeldsen Writes
Creative Gems 2 (and 3!)
Last year, I had the joy of participating in Creative Gems Volume 2, a collection of children's short stories based on artwork by the wonderful Andrea Benko. I wrote a story about a snake who faced a big challenge! You can find Creative Gems on Amazon! I was so happy to discover that Andrea is … Continue reading Creative Gems 2 (and 3!)
How Do You Write a Book?
An updated version of a post from Feb. 2022 Apparently, 81% of people in the U.S. want to write a book. That's enough to say that most people want to write a book in this country, and I suspect the numbers would be pretty big in other countries, too. On the one hand, it's a … Continue reading How Do You Write a Book?
Resource: Fantasy Name Generators
I used to think I was great at coming up with names - until I realised I wasn't. At all. It took me far too long to find Fantasy Name Generators, a website that pretty much instantly solved one of my most difficult writing struggles. The name is a bit deceiving; the name generators on … Continue reading Resource: Fantasy Name Generators
My Review of Swipe: The Science Behind Why We Don’t Finish What We Start
Rating: 5/5 stars - must read! As time marches on, human beings adapt—but that isn’t always a good thing. According to Swipe: The Science Behind Why We Don’t Finish What We Start by Tracy Maylett and Tim Vandehey, the rapid acceleration of technology in the past few decades has exacerbated a fight or flight coping … Continue reading My Review of Swipe: The Science Behind Why We Don’t Finish What We Start
Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey: A Lesson on Writing Satire and Humour
Sometimes, the best writing tips of all come from simply reading books, which is one of the main reasons why I'm launching this under-appreciated classics series. Some of my all-time favourite books are ones that have mostly been lost to obscurity - but I think they have so much for us to learn. (Not to … Continue reading Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey: A Lesson on Writing Satire and Humour
Yes, You Should Practise Reading Aloud. Here’s Why!
Nowadays, you can get almost anything read to you at the touch of a button. Word processors can read. Almost every book also has an audiobook. The old days of reading aloud to kids or reading with family are fading away into history. But even with the ease of AI readers and audiobooks, reading aloud … Continue reading Yes, You Should Practise Reading Aloud. Here’s Why!
The Pros of Small-Scale Fantasy
When we think of fantasy, we often think of huge, epic quests to save the world. Defeat the dark lord, restore the light, and bring peace to the entire land. But sometimes, fantasy can - and should - be small-scale. While reading The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson after my fiction fast, I was … Continue reading The Pros of Small-Scale Fantasy
The Story Canvas 