An Incomplete Collection of Writing Articles, Blog Posts, etc.

Note: This is a growing list of content I want to remember for myself — hopefully it’s helpful for you too. There are NO paid or affiliate links in this post.

> Andrew Stanton: The clues to a great story (TED Talk):

> Writing Screenplays That Sell by Michael Hauge — terrific, step-by-step explanation of story structure, that’s not just for writing screenplays.

Character Development

> How to Find Your Character’s Motivation by Kristen Keiffer

Conflict

> How to Craft Riveting Internal Conflict For Your Story by Kristen Keiffer

Excerpt, (example of internal conflict): In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, books are illegal. Guy Montag is a fireman, whose job it is to set fire to any homes that are found to contain such illegal materials. However, one day, while on a call, his curiosity gets the best of him. He decides to steal a book to discover why the government considers it so dangerous.

Having looked at the book, Guy is faced with a choice: Will he do his duty as a fireman and protect his family by burning the book? Or, having been mentally and emotionally starved by a society that demands ignorant complicity of its citizens, will he attempt to preserve the knowledge and power found in literature?

…How can we use internal conflict successfully?

The key to crafting successful internal conflict lies in consequences. In essence, your character should be stuck between a rock and a hard place. No matter which decision they make, negative consequences should ensue — or, at least, your character should believe they will ensue.

These consequences, a.k.a. stakes, are what create tension, which is just a fancy word for keeping readers on the edge of their seats because they have too many questions that need answering.

“The character may struggle to stay true to their morals or beliefs in the face of pressure or temptation, or they may struggle to overcome some false belief, a “lie” they tell themselves that holds them back from living the very best version of their life.” ~Kristen Keiffer

> How to Weave Threads of Tension Through Your Story by Kristen Keiffer

Excerpt: “To ensure that tension results in page-turning curiosity, work to build uncertainty in readers… If readers are inside your character’s head, they’re likely anticipating the same consequences your character fears or desires. By flipping your characters’ expectations on their head from time to time, you’ll ensure your readers never quite know what to expect from the narrative tension at hand