Tag: writing tips

Writing Characters, Not Plot Elements

Andrew Michael MillerLeave a comment

So, you're deep into your writing process. Maybe you have a completed early draft of your story and there's just something off about some of the characters that you can't figure out. You figure out that some of them just seem like they're in the story because you want them to be, not because they really should be there. They do the things you want them to do, but maybe it's uninspiring and they just don't seem like real people when all is said and done. Why does this happen and how do you fix it? Here are some things to think about that might help elevate your character writing to the next level.

Writing Basics: Plot and Subplot

Andrew Michael MillerLeave a comment

Often times, we use the word plot when discussing stories, but the term is not always used correctly. All stories have plots - that's what makes them stories and not just character studies or events in the life of characters. Plots carry the story from beginning to middle to end, hopefully in a satisfactory way. But what about subplots? How do we describe subplots and what role do they play in stories? Here's a handy guide for you to consider.

Writing Basics: Active Voice vs. Passive Voice

Andrew Michael Miller1 Comment

As writers, we must always stay vigilant about keeping our readers engaged. If the audience becomes bored of our writing, we run the risk of losing them all together. Whether we write fiction or non-fiction, the best way we can do this is by maintaining the use of active voice in our sentences. In order to do this, we must firmly understand the difference between the active voice and the passive voice. By identifying the subject of each sentence, we can determine whether it uses the active voice or the passive voice.