Film and writing today are not what they used to be. Thankfully, artists today are conscientious of the messages they send both implicitly and explicitly in their work, especially regarding diversity. There is also an ongoing conversation about OwnVoices and “writing what you know.” It is a little confusing at times: how does one include diversity in their writing to make it reflective of the world around them while just “writing what they know?”
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At times frustrating and rewarding, editing and revising your draft inevitably comes around in the writing process. You might feel a sense of impending dread as you approach this stage, but fear not! Editing is where the magic happens. You’ve gotten the ideas down on paper; now comes the time to bring clarity to them.
Take a deep breath, and prepare yourself. It won’t be easy, and you’ll probably have to kill some darlings, but it’s all for the best. This is the part where you start making your story the best it can be. Here’s a few questions to keep in mind: World building in Short Stories6/26/2022 We normally think of world building as in pages upon pages in notion detailing history, politics, and economics of a sci-fi world or having your own Wikipedia in World Anvil of this high-fantasy kingdom that rivals Tolkien’s.
However when we get into the meat of the story, world building isn’t quite as straightforward. Sure, in novels, you can have a beautiful map before the first chapter or use the prologue to narrate a creation-myth and the power dynamics of the land but, in short stories, “you just need to drop the readers straight into the established world, without needing to explain everything about it,” (Samantha Todd). Which sounds scary, not going to lie, because how can we make sure the reader doesn’t get lost between all this lore? Well, the simple answer is that you curate your world around the protagonist and the story you’re telling. What? YOUR DRAFT is evolving!6/25/2022 What do Pokémon and writing a book have in common? Evolution. Don’t believe me? Have you seen what a first draft looks like?? My book has come so far from its first form—leveled up as I’ve gained experience, if you will. Pokémon metaphors aside, revising a book really does change it from draft to draft. The writing journey is different for everyone, but I hope this article gives you some expectations for how your book will change with each draft and what to focus on using my own experience.
Let’s call my book Seaside, since that’s the code name I gave it. The first time I thought about this project, I wanted Romeo and Juliet set in a coastal town. My book is now nowhere near Romeo and Juliet, but it was the idea that sparked my interest. Here’s the first change to look out for: from inspiration to outline (or straight into drafting if you prefer). Ideas change. You may find your original idea won’t work for a whole story and run in a new direction. Embrace the change and trust your instincts, and that goes for every stage of writing. 5 Science Books For Non-Science Readers6/21/2022 Science can be incredibly boring sometimes. Why does the movement of molecules or the reactivity of ions or if there is no story connected to it, no significance? The story of science is one you most likely won’t hear in class, but there are books to help you understand it and foster a deeper connection with the inner workings of the world around you.
All the following books are written in a beginner-friendly style and connect science to something deeper, such as the experiences we shared during COVID-19, our individual connections with the cosmos, and even social relations in regards to race and gender. Science is more than cramming biological processes or struggling through chemical ratios, and these books are wonderful, engaging, and important explorations of that. The Male Gaze and How to Avoid It6/20/2022 Since the phrase’s inception in 1975, people’s awareness of the Male Gaze skyrocketed. Of course, the Male Gaze existed long beforehand, but creating a name for it drew attention to the issue. The Male Gaze concerns the way media, namely literature and film, presents women in objectifying manners, demeaning them into sexual figures for the sake of the male audience. What’s more, the character often comes off as passive, with little to no agency over the events of the story.
It’s an easy thing to spot in film – the camera unnecessarily pans up and down a woman’s body, or a costume piece rips into a sexy, revealing outfit, or the character falls and lands in a promiscuous position. Moments like these get tossed into the story for no reason. This happens in literature, as well. The internet has taken over human-kind, now we cannot escape social media, not even in stories!
And to be honest, I’m quite okay with that. Look, there is no shortage of stories that depict the perils of social media and with reason since these are very real, but sometimes I just wish for a story that treats the internet like we do- as part of everyday life. In which friendships, romance and self-discovery can become. I used to hate talking to my friends online or through texts however, when the COVID 19 attacked I had to quickly assess my assumptions. I started to be more active online, eventually finding the TYWI instagram page that let me become part of this awesome team. Spoilers for Normal People Reading Sally Rooney’s Normal People is like sitting in a waiting room, but the magazine you’re reading is absolutely riveting. That’s probably the best way I can describe this book, and I say it in the best way possible. Normal People has this slow, meandering pace that does not agree with everyone, but that I personally enjoy.
The pacing of the novel is slow yet fast at the same time, it feels like it’s constantly building, despite being interspersed with flashbacks. It creates this strange reading experience, like you’re on a roller coaster that’s only going up – but the view is spectacular. It’s a strange way to tell a story, but for this narrative I don’t think it could have worked any other way. What is the Three Act Structure?6/18/2022 Don’t know where to start when plotting your story? Try Three Act Structure, the simple way to keep your story on track. Or maybe you're more of a plantser who needs guidelines while you’re winging it? If either of these sound like you, read on.
From its name you can probably guess this structure has three acts. In each act, there are three beats you want to include—so nine events total. Beats are turning points, or crucial moments that move the plot along. They help the reader know that the plot is progressing and make a story engaging. The Three Act Structure is taken from filmmaking techniques and is explained through the lens of protagonist vs. antagonist. If your story doesn’t have a clear antagonist, something like death, grief, or a personal challenge can serve as one. Take from this structure what works for you—writing is flexible, and that’s the fun part. Hopefully, now we’re in full swing of summer (if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere), you have more time on your hands. Here’s your chance to get back in the practice of writing more. You can dust off that old work in progress, or give yourself a fresh start with a brand new project – especially if you’re in a writing camp.
Both exciting and daunting, starting a new project means endless potential. Here’s a few things to keep in mind when beginning a new work in progress. Categories
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