New answers tagged technique
2
Readers tend to find characters relatable when they want or need things very strongly, and are active about pursuing them. It helps, of course, if they have admirable traits, or goals, but even anti-heroes can be compelling, when they are proactive.
It's because we're all interested in having an impact on the world, and securing the things we want or need, ...
answered May 11 at 23:04
Chris Sunami supports Monica
54.5k4 gold badges80 silver badges188 bronze badges
1
Likeable traits
Deeds and talents are often sprung from the imagination of an author, but the main point of the story is how the characters achieve the audience's approval.
Step one: Relate
Connections between the reader and the character could be the first step to your goal. For example, if the author decides to make his/her main character an orphan that ...
2
I recall a story from childhood that personified three trees who could "communicate" among themselves, but could not interact physically with the world beyond them. These trees would retain their speech and ability to think. Each tree discusses their dream of what they will become when they are chopped down and turned into wood, each wishing to ...
3
Chiasmus
“I don't care how much you know until I know how much you care.”
(Teddy Roosevelt?)
In a chiasmus the words are repeated in reverse order to achieve a desired effect (there are far too many to list, anything from simply sounding good to emphasizing relationships). Here are some other examples:
"Fair is foul and foul is fair" - Macbeth
&...
2
It is generally considered bad practice to include these in your writing
It is? I use it sparingly as a form of showing. It's one of many ways to show a character lacks confidence or is thinking hard about what they say next.
8
One method that is easy to use and easy to overuse is the ellipsis.
"The solution to your problem is ... difficult to relate. Not so much for it's complexity but because I'm sure it will cause offense."
This method when used sparingly is effective, and when abused is very annoying.
An effective method is to use beats and gestures since they are ...
5
Presuming your character has a level of speaking experience that allows avoiding these "pause noises" (or that you've chosen not to write them, to keep the dialog flowing), you need to show what the character does when pondering. For instance:
Eustace paused. With his left thumb and index finger, he pinched his upper lip, where he'd had a ...
2
How much research have you done into serial killers? Because serial killers tend to be classified in one of two broad categories: Organized and Disorganized. The former will plan his crimes out over time, observe his target, make notes about the evironment, take steps to hide or destroy evidence, and target people in a population with a lot of transience....
-1
My advice is to make sure that your characters have some flaws that could be used by the end of the story. The murderer could have some part of his sentence that was spoked wrongly or his change of attitude that sets off the detective instincts in the detective.
https://writersedit.com/fiction-writing/5-surefire-ways-raise-stakes-story/
Hope this helps!
1
Without knowing more about the context and the impact you are trying to achieve, it is impossible to suggest how the paragraphed should be reworded. However, as a standalone piece of English, it is neither polished nor efficient.
He turned around and started walking to the nearby store. He bought a bread and a yoghurt. Then he came back and gave the ...
0
Don't worry about absolutes, just pay attention to the absolutes you use.
Philosophy deals with absolute universals — it is not about particulars and specifics — so too much qualification or hedging makes the writing look weak and tentative. Say what you mean to say, without giving any sense of embarrassment or hesitation.
That being said, it is up to you to ...
1
If your goal is to attract scholars, or serious readers of non-fiction, avoid the word "often". It's a word used to brush over something that may not be true, and to, as you noticed, weasel your way out of things.
Specific arguments require specific data. "Often, if a country decides to go to war, few actual people are in agreement about it.&...
Top 50 recent answers are included
