#authorsblog

[coffeebeanwriting]

Some Quick Character Tips

Here are a handful of quick tips to help you write believable characters! 

1. A character’s arc doesn’t need to grow linearly. Your protagonist doesn’t have to go from being weak to strong, shy to confident, or novice to professional in one straight line. It’s more realistic if they mess up their progress on the way and even decline a bit before reaching their goal.

2. Their past affects their present. Make their backstory matter by having their past events shape them into who they are. Growing up with strict parents might lead to a sneaky character, and a bad car accident might leave them fearful of driving.

3. Give reoccurring side characters something that makes them easily recognizable. This could be a scar, a unique hairstyle, an accent, or a location they’re always found at, etc.

4. Make sure their dialogue matches their personality. To make your characters more believable in conversation, give them speech patterns. Does the shy character mumble too low for anyone to ever hear, does the nervous one pace around and make everyone else on edge? 

5. Make your characters unpredictable. Real people do unexpected things all the time, and this can make life more exciting. The strict, straight-A student who decides to drink at a party. The pristine princess who likes to visit the muddy farm animals. When character’s decide to do things spontaneously or in the heat of the moment, it can create amazing twists and turns.

6. Give even your minor character's a motive. This isn’t to say that all your characters need deep, intricate motives. However, every character should need or want something, and their actions should reflect that. What’s the motive behind a side character who follows your protagonist on their adventure? Perhaps they’ve always had dreams of leaving their small village or they want to protect your protagonist because of secret feelings.

Instagram: coffeebeanwriting  

[chaseelen]

New blog post live at elenchase.com 🎉 Curious about these new covers? You can discover all about them from the link in bio... #authorsblog #elenchase #lgbtnewadult #lgbtromancebooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CjRC9k4rYna/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[shan-rk]

Conception of Truth is LIVE

“When do you decide to forgive childish grudges and face what you have broken?” Marco and I were once strangers, then by a false coincidence we became lovers. It was short lived, and he chose another. Hurt by his rejection it was easy to become his enemy. So lovers to enemies we were, until Marco began a war.I never wanted the bloodshed to stain my wedding dress crimson, but Marco made sure our…

[nina-detroit]

Hi to all my new followers! Did you defect from Twitter or find me from wattpad? Either way- welcome!

I'll be posting a bit more over the coming months as I start work on an exciting new writing project that I have had in my mind for a couple of years!

In the meantime, is anyone doing the Popsugar 2023 reading challenge? If you are let me know how you're getting on! I love some of the prompts on there this year how they are all about supporting the newbie or the amateur writing scene. Love that for us.

I am currently on my 3rd book (Book Lovers by Emily Henry), I have about 20% left to read but finding it hard to finish! When I do my review I will explain why!

[babelast]

Anubis, an ancient Egyptian God. Commissioned by Melissa Blincoe based on her book story. #writer #author #writing #writingcommunity #authorcommunity #art #illustration #character #book #authorsblog #author #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #authorquotes #authors #authorsofig #authorcommunity #writersofinstagram #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #writers #writersnetwork #writersblock #artist #artofinstagram #artwork #artoftheday #artgallery #artistsoninstagram #artistoninstagram #artistsofinstagram #illustration #illustrator #illustragram #illustrationart #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrations #illustrationchallenge #characterdesign

[badiaahiresh]

"Repeat after me... I will not feel sorry for myself, today is the new beginning! #MOI I am the author telling you, while reading my books, to remind yourself: it’s life, not a book; it’s a woman, not a character; it’s reality & not a story! Read the books, & get inspired… Internationally Published Author, a Social Media Host, & the Broadcaster of the Livestream Let’s Grow Corporate Style My books *Life’s Detours – Alexandra’s Choices Can broken hearts be mended? *Where is My Angel? Read about the role of Faith in my life *Mommy, I am a PACER! I believe that children are the future, the ambassadors of change… All are available on this Amazon link in the bio . . . . #biography #books #bookstagram #booklover #bookoftheday #bookrecommendation #review #bestbooks #bookblogger #bookblog #bestbooks #selfpublish #lifequotes #authorsofinstagram #author #authorlife #authorcommunity #authors #writingcommunity #writing #writersofinstagram #amazonbook #amazonpublishing #kindlepublishing #kindle #ebook #ted #authorsblog #speaklife #bookpromotions https://www.instagram.com/p/ChwLhjoMrFC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[rwhague]

I wish I could credit the author on this! Unfortunately, since my publisher went under, I am left without much contact to anyone that was previously in the company. I’ve asked around, but no one is quite sure. This, however, was the stunning book cover put together for my book. I still can’t get over how fabulous it looks! I’m thankful to have the rights. Perhaps if I self-pub this puppy it will become the actual book cover again! :D

[ldidsbury-blog]

"WOLF DEN ONE", The first in the "Flex" series...military /spy thriller...working on #2 now...where The Wolf sends Flex to Romania on special assignment with Ursul, The Bear...coming soon...titled "Dacian "Nights". Sign up on my blog page for a FREE Digital copy of one of my books. Peace y'all https://lawrencedidsbury.wordpress.com #militaryfiction #spy #spythriller #spythrillers #fictionbooks #comingsoon #authorsblog #authorsneakpeek #sneakpeek #booksneakpeek #authorslife #writersblog #writerslife #indieauthors (at Abilene Public Library) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5GeHiHA5SQ/?igshid=17mp17q8ptrz3

[hazelmcnellis]

Schreibjournal 17+18/52

Ich gebe zu: Ich bin süchtig. Süchtig nach Buchstaben, Wörtern, Geschichten. Emotionen, die mithilfe simpler Symbole (denn das sind in meinen Augen letztlich Wörter: gemalte Zeichen). geweckt werden. Diese Sucht führt im Alltag zu folgender Problematik:

Ich habe vorletzte Woche ein Netflix-Abo abgeschlossen. Klar, dass das mit dem Schreiballtag kollidiert. Lololol. Denn schon jetzt hat sich das Abo mehr als gelohnt. Die neue Star Trek Serie, dann die Serie “Lost in Space” (ganz toll, btw) und jetzt bin ich Opfer der “Shadowhunters” geworden... Also ist es vollkommen logisch, dass in dem Fall nur noch ein hohes Maß an Selbstdisziplin hilft, die gesetzten Ziele zu erreichen.

Was habe ich also erreicht und gelernt?

Fortschritt in Woche 17 und 18

Mir ist inzwischen viel deutlicher bewusst geworden, welche Verantwortung ein Autor bzw. eine Autorin eigentlich hat. Jede Person, die das jeweilige Werk liest, wird auf die ein oder andere Weise geprägt und beeinflusst. Die Frage, die sich jedem Schriftsteller stellen sollte, lautet deshalb: Was will ich bewirken? Für was soll mein Schreiben stehen? Gibt es tatsächlich so etwas wie reine Unterhaltungsromane? Bücher, die lediglich unterhalten und nichts weiter bewirken? Jetzt, da ich darüber nachdenke, glaube ich, dass JEDES Buch uns, unser Denken und unser Fühlen mehr oder minder nachhaltig beeinflusst - auch die Bücher, die uns vermeintlich bloß unterhalten wollen...

Was bedeutet das für mich und meine Arbeit?

Ich ziehe aus diesem Bewusstsein mehrere Erkenntnisse. Zum einen kommt es meinen weiteren Büchern zugute. Denn es hilft dabei, die Glaubwürdigkeit eines Romans - selbst wenn es sich “nur” um Fiktion handelt - zu verbessern. Zum anderen hilft es, die eigene Arbeit ein Stück weit mit (noch mehr) Ernsthaftigkeit zu betreiben.

Diese Ernsthaftigkeit ist es unter anderem auch, die die Arbeit am Werwolfprojekt bislang so in die Länge zieht. Inzwischen habe ich aber das 18. Kapitel erreicht (von derzeit 22). Ich nähere mich langsam dem Ende! Wohooo! :D

Ausblick auf Woche 19

Was steht also jetzt an? Klar, die Überarbeitung ist noch nicht zuende. So wie ich es aktuell aber sehe, kann ich diese Version (Nr. 6, btw) noch im Mai beenden! Juhuuu! \o/ Danach geht es weiter mit Lektorat, Korrektorat, Covergestaltung, Titelsuche und Klappentext. Erst wenn das alles steht, sind “meine” Werwölfe bereit für die Welt. <3

Ich hoffe, ihr seid auch schon so gespannt wie ich. :)

Bis zum nächsten Post, genießt das sonnige Wetter und bleibt gesund!

Hazel :)

[clivethings-to-say]

That hat, tilted jauntily forward, to say, ‘I’m something special.’ But only because of the silver spoon you were born with, tucked safely now between those carefully rouged, but too severe for comfort, lips. And those hands, pushing the book’s wisdom away with their dismissive stance, but eyes still searching for some meaning to the day. Your children will pay for your ambition. You will suffer from self-pity and too much cake, because that is the destiny of your tribe. I looked at this picture and 80 words later had her attitude nailed - for me. I'm sure I will change me mind within a year. That's the value of great art. It's never static. Ask Bach, Beethoven or the Beatles. #artistsoninstagram #writingprompts #workshop #writerscommunity #writersconnection #artprompt #writinginspiration #authorsblog #writersblock #hulluniversity #hulluni #brynmorjoneslibrary #artist #artiseverywhere (at Hull Uni Library) https://www.instagram.com/p/B29L-e0H-or/?igshid=1r10vditwdjk2

[coffeebeanwriting]

Quick Tips on Writing Better Characters

Here are a handful of quick tips to writing stronger characters and understanding them better as a writer.

Give your characters a title. This can help with worldbuilding and placing your protagonist into the environment. What do others call your characters? The emperor, the bastard son, the Grinch, the chosen one, the class clown, the evil witch, the popular girl, etc.

Use your settings to enhance your character. You can use the locations of your novel to mirror or contrast your character. Do they blend in or stand out? What they focus on can say a lot about them (ex. a fearsome character mishearing things on a dark street, a princess in a ballroom only focused on the exit.)

Know your protagonist's motives and goals before you start writing. What is something they need that fuels their actions throughout the novel? Money, freedom, an artifact, food? To protect their sister at all costs and survive the Hunger Games? 

Now that you know their motive, make it more complex. A character's motive can be made more complex by putting them in high-stake situations that force them to make decisions. For example, Katniss wants to protect her sister, a very common motivation. However, present-day conflict makes her to do it in the most extreme way by volunteering in the Hunger Games. The plot forces her to make an extreme choice fueled by her motivation.

Your protagonist should be active. It's okay to have your story's events sometimes happen to your character (this is referred to as the character being passive, ex. a tornado sweeping them away) but your protagonist should be active a majority of the time. This means they should always be making decisions, thinking, reflecting and progressing through obstacles.

Instagram: coffeebeanwriting

[chaseelen]

It's Monday and that means only one thing: new blog post at elenchase.com Today we're talking about @writertracybrown 's works! If you're into mystery and dark fantasy, you should really check out her books 📚📔🚪 Click the link in bio to discover why! #bookrecs #indiebooks #cozymysteries #cozymystery #darkfantasy #adultdarkfantasy #mysteryreaders #authorsblog #writersblog #wordpressblog #bookrecommendations https://www.instagram.com/p/Cia82nbLXiY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[shan-rk]

Short Story Thursday

Short story thursdays by shan r.k, a blog

What binds us, also make us whole I closed my eyes, the fragments of reality and fantasy swirling in my mind. The memory of those piercing blue eyes haunted me, tugging me between mystic fantasies and harsh realities. The scent of burnt sweet perfume lingered, mingling with freezing scents, sending chills down my spine. Was it all related? Was this what death meant? I didn’t want to wake, but I…

[nina-detroit]

yo ho ho it’s a writer’s life for me

I woke up this morning with that one burning thought: I must write and I must do it now.

Mornings are the best time for me. My brain is rested from the day before, and nothing has happened yet to set it off on another crazy spiral of “what if/ I need to do this/ how can I...” also there is something pleasant about having the whole day lying out before you knowing that even if you need to do the dishes or wash some clothes you can do it later. Now is the time to write.

Somewhere between falling asleep last night and waking up this morning I had partially solved my little writer’s block problem.

My latest novel is handwritten. I love handwriting novels because the words flow out so much better. You write slow and you take your time which means the content is usually higher quality than a fast type - in my opinion. Everyone has their own methods, I respect that.

But what happens when you handwrite something you then decide needs to be re-written? And from another character’s POV??

Challenge accepted.

[authorforster-blog]

Month of October

I just love the month of October! Beautiful leaves, colors, crisp air, night comes fast and of course Halloween.  I also love Horror movies, but I always watch them 365. October is most horror fan’s favorite month.

October is a spooky month as well. Halloween decorations come to store with "Halloween" Candy.  Kids that go "trick or treating" LOVE this time of year.

As a kid, I loved to dress up and get candy but mostly dressing up and watching 31 days of Halloween on SyFy. Still to this very day I dress up and celebrate my favorite Holiday. I just love to see "October" come but I hate to see it go.

[badiaahiresh]

“When a woman starts thinking… that is when the story starts!” #MOI about the moments that changed our life I am the author telling you, while reading my books, to remind yourself: it’s life, not a book; it’s a woman, not a character; it’s reality & not a story! Read the books, & get inspired… Internationally Published Author, a Social Media Host, & the Broadcaster of the Livestream Let’s Grow Corporate Style My books *Life’s Detours – Alexandra’s Choices Book by #MOI, Can broken hearts be mended? *Where is My Angel? Book by #MOI and Read about the role of Faith in my life *Mommy, I am a PACER! Book by #MOI because I believe that children are the future, the ambassadors of change… All are available on this Amazon link in the bio . . . . #biography #books #bookstagram #booklover #bookoftheday #bookrecommendation #review #bestbooks #bookblogger #bookblog #bestbooks #published #selfpublish #bookstagram #authorsofinstagram #author #authorlife #authorcommunity #authors #writingcommunity #writing #writersofinstagram #amazonbook #amazonpublishing #kindlepublishing #kindle #ebook #authorship #authorsblog #authorsmarketplace #authorspeakercoach https://www.instagram.com/p/ChlqIqgKTlE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=