Hey everyone (again)! While I was reading some more blogs from the past, I was remembering some other reading I may have done.
You see, I’m a bit what you call a “picky reader”. I usually won’t read anything if it doesn’t include the following:
- fantasy and magic
- shapeshifters (that embrace their powers!)
- a happy, comprehensible ending
And I won’t read some books if they include:
- an overpowered protagonist
- a romance that includes a person getting forced to be in a relationship
- isekai
- NOT a graphic novel (okay this is actually sometimes because when I’m reading an actual novel, I have no idea what is happening)
- fantasy slice-of-life (no focus on the fantasy elements sometimes!)
But when I get a book that DOESN’T follow any of these, then I’ll happily read it (I also like history related books as well). And then that’s where one thing disappoints me:
It’s the writing. The writing is BAD. I have to waste a few minutes, even days, weeks or MONTHS reading books with the WORST PLOTS OR WORDING EVER!!!
On the plus side, a feeling in me says “I can do better!” and then I get a new story idea! But how do you write a good story? Well, my sister did something related to that, and conveniently mixed two words up.
On the plus side, a feeling in me says “I can do better!” and then I get a new story idea! But how do you write a good story? Well, my sister did something related to that, and conveniently mixed two words up.
So, being the petty corrector I am, I’m making this blog to show how to fix your writing (or help make other good points in the story)! Yay you!
1. First the personality, then the gender
One of the main problems I see in books, TV shows and even MOVIES is that the characters (specifically the female ones) usually suck, mainly due to the above-humanly possible perfection. We call these characters Mary-Sues (or, if male, Gary-Stus). So how does this happen. Well, it’s simple. Some people care more about a “strong female protagonist” being overpowered to settle with the audience.
But this rarely works. Heck, it’s not about how the characters are strong physically, it also depends on how strong their personality is, how much they change. So, what’s the main way so that your characters don’t turn out to be that way?
My Advice: First, I write down the character’s strengths, flaws, personality, backstory, the whole shebang. Next, I flip a coin: if heads, the character is male. If tails, the character is female. The second part is COMPLETELY optional; sometimes I make a character knowing what gender they are in the first place! But don’t make your character defined by one trait they have (ex: having a disability, being a different race, etc). If you want your audience to like the character, make them with awesome strengths but relatable flaws! Audiences love a character they can see themselves in!
2. Plan out your story beforehand
So, you’ve made a ton of characters, made some art of them, and want to make a story with them as the main characters. But how do you do this without screwing up the whole plot?
This is, again, another problem I see with writing of ANY KIND. The story is unclear! The worldbuilding is dilapidated! Heck, some characters follow the plot so effortlessly, it’s like they’re little puppets who don’t even have any free will! They can do stupid things they won’t usually do! And it seems that the audience hates this!
My Advice: Write down a timeline filled with events that you want to happen in your book/fanfic/whatever. That way, it’s easier to find and make scenarios that fill the blank spaces in your writing. Have a snappy quote the rich kid might use? Write it down! Want to introduce the dragon queen in a really snappy way? Plan how that happens! You may have to kick things out of the story, and that’s okay!
3. Once done planning, write a transcript!
Okay, you’re done writing down the ideas, the plot, the ending! Now, all you need to do is to write down the dialogue and the actions the characters do in those scenes! The only problem? The quotes are either absolute trash or more cringy than parents using outdated slang. You also don’t know what mannerisms the characters may use! How’re you gonna get out of this?
My Advice: Make a transcript! It helps authors plan and visualize what the story looks like, which makes it easier to rewrite and add new events in the story! Stuck on how to write out the scene? Take a break and search up on the internet to see some ideas other people have made! For example, I have taken many references for my stories, including scenes the Powerpuff Girls and Vox Machina! You could also ask for feedback from friends or >shutter< AI.
If you want a better visualization and love to draw, then create a storyboard instead! They are essential tools that many show creators use to make their famous TV shows and movies!
4: Show, don’t tell
My sister gave this advice in one of her other blogs and did a really good job explaining showing vs telling! The only problem? She switched showing with telling and telling with showing.
So, what is showing and telling? Well, telling is the writing equivalent of stating the obvious. For example:
He was nervous.
She was angry.
They thought the video was funny.
See how irritating this style feels? It gives less opportunity for authors to show what the character feels and shows a smaller window of visualization. So, authors could tell you how a situation is happening…
My Advice: …but they’d rather show you. Showing, which is what authors usually use, is more abstract than telling. For example:
He felt bugs crawling under his skin.
She clenched her fists as a fire grew inside her.
They laughed, face-palming as they saw the kitty getting scared by a cucumber.
See? So much more colorful than the ‘telling’ stuff!
And that’s my advice! Of course, this is all from my experience writing, but so many other tips are out there!
Go explore!
– Nova S.