#writingchallenges

[saraswritingsanctuary]

15 Writing Challenges to Strengthen Your Characters and Plots

Writing a compelling story isn’t just about crafting beautiful sentences—it’s about developing strong characters and dynamic plots that keep readers engaged. Whether you’re a pantser who thrives on spontaneity or a plotter who loves detailed outlines, these 15 writing challenges will help you push the boundaries of your creativity. Character Development Challenges 1. The Silent Scene…

[theloulouge]

Life Lens - Entry 73

Blogging Through Sleepiness Lately, life’s been a bit of a whirlwind for me. My dad handed over one of his businesses to me, which is super exciting but also means I’m swamped with work. But you know what? I’m not giving up on my blog. It’s like my online diary, and I’m determined to keep it going. Funny thing though, as I write this, I’ve dozed off a couple of times. But hey, dedication, right?…

[authorravenkanesblog]

15 Unique Hybrid Romance Fantasy Ideas for Your Next Story

Romance and fantasy are a match made in storytelling heaven, but blending them with different genres and themes can create something truly magical. If you’re looking for fresh ideas to spark your next hybrid fantasy romance, here are 15 unique concepts to explore. 1. Celestial Soulmates (Fantasy x Sci-Fi) A warrior from a dying planet and a celestial being who weaves the fabric of the universe…

[shino-tenshi]

Ach ja, die lieben Challenges, die hier und da ausgerufen werden. Am Anfang habe ich ja richtig fleißig mitgemacht. Jeden Tag an irgendeiner teilgenommen, aber das hat mich dann vom eigentlichen Schreiben so abgehalten und leider auch keinen wirklichen Erfolg gezeigt, dass ich mich davon distanziert habe.

Ich mache jetzt nur noch sporadisch bei welchen mit, wenn ich sie sehe und mir die Idee gefällt. Aber dadurch, dass mein Tag meistens sehr vollgestopft ist, sieht das dann hin und wieder schlecht aus.

Ich bin aktuell noch auf der Suche, wie ich hier mehr gesehen werde, aber Challenges sind es eindeutig nicht. Was haltet ihr von Challenges? Macht ihr mit oder habt sogar eine eigene am Laufen? Schreibt es doch in die Kommentare.

[rebeccaswritingandmore]

There is a lot happening in my life right now, and the key to me not completely losing my mind is the many books I read. Some, I've read hundreds of times, others, just once. I feel overwhelmed and a bit broken. My musings are negative, and... #awriterslife #LivingaLifeofWriting #WritingChallenges

[haveacupofjohanny]

The Struggles of Writing a Book Blurb: A Writer's Confession

Struggling to write the perfect book blurb? You’re not alone. Check out my latest blog post where I dive into the challenges, frustrations, and lessons learned in crafting that elusive blurb. #WritingCommunity #BookBlurb #AmWriting #AuthorLife #haveacupof

As a writer, one of the most challenging tasks I face is writing a compelling book blurb. You’d think that after writing an entire manuscript, summarizing it into a few enticing paragraphs would be a breeze, but for me, it’s anything but. Crafting a blurb that brings intrigue, captures the essence of the story, and includes the necessary keywords to attract readers feels like an art form I’m…

[sunnyanddumb98]

I have been writing a book for the last year called Bleeding Butterflies. For the first few months, I wrote only in my spare time, taking forever to write 10,000 words. During that time, I took a trip to location, but mostly from October 2023 to March 2024, I was living my life as usual and taking notes.

Then I committed. For me, commitment needs something to lose, specifically money. So I spent 2,000 USD on an online coaching plan called The Novelry, and I spent the rest of the year until yesterday writing the next 50,000 words.

My day looked like this: waking up at 6:30 AM, training for an hour, having breakfast and a shower, then one hour of writing (I was strict about the length—just one hour, but I missed some days, taking four months instead of three to finish). After that, I worked an eight-hour job, attended The Novelry coaching sessions or workshops during lunch hour, kept working, and then read the book that is part of the writing plan.

I've never been a morning person, and my ADHD makes it hard. Emotional dysregulation was a big issue during this time, and maladaptive daydreaming was all over the place, but I kept my dopamine levels down. No TikTok, no Tumblr, no YouTube, no Instagram. I ate bland meals of raw oats and white rice with chicken—no spices, the only dopamine I allowed was music and writing. I talked with people at work, but I was mediocre at best in everything that wasn't writing for the last few months. I cut contact with most of my friends—all of them new, of course—but I'm not going to lie; I lost friends in the process.

It has been a weird experience because I'm truly exhausted and drained. My eye contact went from optimal to impossible, and sometimes I feel like the main character of the book lives and makes decisions for me as if I adopted that personality. Sometimes I'm triggered because I write a triggering scene, cry in the morning, and spend the whole day super dysregulated without figuring out why.

But also, I'm so excited and so happy. I feel accomplished, and I feel like I can die in peace because I put something, even if not edited, into the world. I have to spend a month without writing the book before editing a second draft, to let it marinate, but I'm so looking forward to the rewrite. I think now that I just finished telling the story, I can finally write it right.

Just on the last page, I figured out what it was about. Most of the time, I felt like I was rambling about my interests using metaphors. But now, I'm sure if I move everything a few centimetres to the left, it's going to be perfect.

[ancientroyalblood]

Flash Fiction Challenges: Crafting Stories in Limited Words

Writing flash fiction, stories encapsulated within a limited word count, is an art that challenges writers to convey powerful narratives with brevity. Here’s a guide on mastering the craft of flash fiction: Understanding Flash Fiction Flash fiction, also known as micro-fiction, sudden fiction, or short-short stories, involves storytelling within a constrained word count, often ranging from 100…

[allnovellas]

Overcoming Common Obstacles in Story Writing

Crafting a compelling narrative is a journey filled with myriad challenges. Writers, both seasoned and novices, often grapple with a multitude of barriers that can deter the creative process. The good news? Each obstacle presents a learning curve. Let’s deep dive into these challenges and discover methods to turn them into steppingstones. Confronting the Dreaded Writer’s Block Every writer has…

[the-traveling-poet]

ᴅʀᴀʙʙʟᴇ ᴄʜᴀʟʟᴇɴɢᴇ 2024 // ᴅᴀʏ TWENTY SEVEN ~ OVERFLOW

After consulting with my wife, aka @levispersonalslave , we’ve come to the decision that this drabble must one day become a mini-series. This will come to fruition.

Huge thanks again to @thedrabblecollective for hosting this month’s drabble challenge! It’s really inspired me to keep writing :) Go check out their page and read everyone’s daily drabbles!

Content ~ Levi Ackerman x GN!Reader, Modern!AU, SFW

~ All Days + Borders Here! ~

Echoing laughter broke through the overflow of rain pelting through the dark night, drowning out any traffic along the highway. The cold droplets of rain hitting your skin went unnoticed by you, your hands clasped in Levi’s warm one.

He’d raced with you from the store across the emptying parking lot, attempting to stay dry; but upon seeing the pointlessness to the endeavor, he’d slowed to a walk alongside you.

“C’mon, we’re out of the way,” you’d laugh, twirling yourself by his arm.

“Dance in the rain with me, just once?”

Dodging another puddle, Levi sighed and finally gave in.

[attoviaplays]

Build Together Day 123

Hey World Builders! Its Build Together Day 123. Today's prompt comes from MycoMan on tiktok and in the discord! What's a unique form of travel in your world?

[plotandelegy]

Crafting Spells with Incantations: A Primer for Fantasy Writers

1. The Roots of Language & Power: Think about languages. Why is Latin so captivating to many? Elvish words from Tolkien's Middle Earth gives us a sense of nostalgia. Incantations borrow from the weight and mystery of forgotten or invented tongues to create allure in our fictional works. Authors might want to consider phonetic aesthetics and rhyming words. Cadence can distinguish between magic that stays with the reader or falls short.

2. The Binding Element - Intention: Fancy words can enchant, but intention carries power. Consider the caster's emotions, desires, and the cost of wielding the magic. A simple spell to light a candle may be whispered, while summoning a storm might require a shout. Emotional resonance adds depth to your magical system. Depth can make it more relatable and memorable. 

3. The Harmony of Gesture: Incantations are often paired with gestures. The flow between word and motion can amplify potency. Perhaps the caster must trace a key through the air to open a door. Visual clues help readers see spell casting in their minds. 

4. The Complexity of Consequence: Let spells have consequences. Mispronouncing an incantation could come with disastrous or unexpected outcomes. Spells can backfire if cast with doubt. Create checks and balances that challenge your characters. 

5. Soundscapes of Sorcery: When performed correctly, what sounds accompany the spell? What sounds come when the magic is incorrect? Spells that summon forth storms release echoing booms in the distance. Offer readers a multi-sensory experience where they can 'hear' the magic too

-Indigo

If you’d like more check out my article on unique and classical sources of magic.

[theloulouge]

Life Lens- Entry 70

The Writer’s Struggle You know what’s going on? I’ve got this itch to write, like, my brain’s on fire with ideas. But here’s the kicker – I’m seriously, and I mean seriously, sleepy right now. It’s like a battle royale between my creative side, all pumped up and ready to roll, and my body that’s just yelling, “Give me some Z’s, dude!” I want to get these thoughts down on paper, no doubt. But…

[komunitaspuanberaksara]

Ternyata, kita adalah dua orang yang tidak mengerti seni komunikasi, dua orang yang saling mencintai yang sama-sama insecure terhadap diri kita masing-masing.

Saat itu kukira hanya aku yang insecure ternyata, kamu juga.

Tidak ada yang perlu disesali, tidak ada yang perlu dimulai kembali, kita hanya perlu belajar untuk saling mengerti, melengkapi, dan menerima pasangan kita nantinya di masa depan.

—@sitijubaedahputrimanguntur

[monthlywritingchallenges]

🎵 Coming Soon: January Song Challenge! 🎵

Start the new year with creativity and inspiration! Different song will guide your stories, drabbles, or poems, focusing on themes of new beginnings, hope, and growth.

✨ Prompts inspired by meaningful lyrics and melodies.

✨ Open to all genres, fandoms, and original works.

Stay tuned for the song list and get ready to kick off 2024 with creativity! 🎶

You want a song on the list? Send it via Ask!

[nauticalnotions]

The Art of Character Development: How to Breathe Life into Your Fiction

Welcome, Fellow Writers!

Are you ready to breathe life into your characters and have them leap from the page into the hearts of your readers? Good! Developing characters is one of the greatest enjoyments for writing fiction. So let's get started on this great journey of discovery!

1. Get to Know Your Characters

Before you write convincing characters, you need to really know them. Think of your characters as human beings with past histories, dreams, and flaws. Here are some ways to get to know them better:

Backstory:

What in their past has made them who they are?

Did they have a happy childhood?

Were there any traumatizing events?

This will often determine motivations and actions.

For example, if your character has been brought up in an orphanage, they may have trust issues or perhaps independence.

Personality Traits:

Are they introverted or extroverted, pessimistic or optimistic?

Knowing their core personality will help project what their actions and reactions would be like in a given set of circumstances.

Perhaps your protagonist, Emma, is an extroverted optimist who lights up a room with brightness, even in dire situations.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

Nobody is perfect, and your characters shouldn't be either.

Make the characters more human by giving them something both admirable and a flaw that rounds them out.

Emma can be wonderfully brave but very impulsive, leading her sometimes to heroism and other times to disastrous folly.

2. Establish Clear Goals and Motivation:

Characters need goals for the plot to have direction and motivations to explain why they pursue those goals. Ask yourself:

What do they want?

Their wants vary from saving the world to searching for love to achieving personal redemption.

Emily, a draftsman, aches to be a famous explorer, a dream her long-dead father never attained.

Why do they want it?

This can be found in their backstory and personality.

Perhaps Emma's father was an explorer who went missing on a wild search, and now she feels a deep need to carry on his legacy and find out what happened to him.

3. Show People, Activities, and Scenery

Dynamic characters tend to rebuild and alter throughout the story. This is often based on life's complications and conflicts. Here's how to effectively outline your character growth:

Conflict:

Put your characters in situations that push them as far as possible.

These challenges force them to make uncomfortable choices and face their flaws.

For example, Emma has to decide whether to save a friend, testing her bravery and impulsiveness.

Reactions:

Show how your characters react to these challenges.

Do they rise to the occasion, or do they struggle and fail? Both outcomes can lead to growth.

Emma might fail to save her friend due to her impulsive nature, marking a turning point for her.

Introspection:

Allow these moments of introspection to your characters.

They allow readers to understand the change in them.

Emma could sit near a bonfire and reflect on her father's legacy and how to become a better leader.

4. Cultivate Relationships

People's relationships with others often define their personality. It might be a friendship bond, family attachment, or enmity; all reveal different dimensions of personality and contribute to character development. Consider:

Allies and Friends:

Allies and friends usually have your best interest at heart, but sometimes they could work in opposition to you.

How would they impact your protagonist's decisions and developments over time?

Emma's best friend, Leo, might argue with a lot of her decisions, making her more thoughtful.

Opponents and Antagonists:

An antagonist challenges the characters, putting them in situations where growth comes from unexpected places.

A realistic rival for Emma could be a highly skilled but ruthless explorer who pushes Emma to reconsider her methods.

Love Interests:

Romantic relationships show vulnerability and may drive change.

Falling in love with a local guide might teach Emma the importance of patience and planning.

5. Use Dialogue Effectively

Dialogue is a great way to develop a character. It reveals personality, conveys emotions, and shows growth. Consider:

Voice:

Each character should have a distinct voice corresponding to their background, personality, and state of mind.

Emma might use exuberant, adventurous language while Leo might be cautious and thoughtful.

Subtext:

Sometimes the unspoken part holds more meaning than what is said.

Use subtext to add depth to your dialogue.

For instance, when Emma says, "I don't need help," it could mean she's afraid of showing weakness.

Conflict and Resolution:

Show characters responding to conflict through dialogue and illustrate how interactions escalate.

Emma and Leo can argue about the best way forward, expressing their viewpoints and eventually finding a resolution.

6. Show, Don't Tell

Instead of telling readers about a character's trait, show it through actions, dialogue, and inner thoughts. For instance:

Telling: John was brave.

Showing: John entered the dark alley; his heart was pounding, but his will remained unflinching.

7. Ensure Consistency and Believability

Make sure your characters act within the line of their personalities and motivations. If they do something that feels unnatural, believe there are reasons for the change. This makes the development of the characters organic and reliable. If Emma becomes reserved, note the experiences that lead to the change.

8. Reflect Real Human Experience

Great characters reflect the complexity of real human experience. They have doubts, make mistakes, and aren't always likable. This complexity makes them richer and more engaging. Perhaps Emma makes a selfish decision that puts her team at risk, creating tension and growth.

9. Foils and Contrasts

Foils are characters set against your main character, highlighting their traits and growth. By setting a character with opposite traits next to the protagonist, you highlight their development. Zara's ruthlessness can highlight Emma's growing sense of responsibility and ethics.

10. Be Flexible

Sometimes your characters develop in unexpected ways. Allow this evolution and let your characters tell you who they are. This elasticity can lead to more authentic and surprising growth. If Emma's journey shifts from being an explorer to a leader, embrace it!