WriterSpark: Tips & Tricks for Fiction Writing

The Importance of Creating Diverse Characters to your Writing

As writers, creating diverse fictional worlds that reflect the world and communities we live in is so important. And it is a conversation we don't have nearly often enough.Cozy mystery author VM (Valerie) Burns and I talked about this (among other things) on this episode of the WriterSpark podcast. Valerie and I talked about the importance of adding diversity to your cast of characters. It's essential to have conversations like these so we all learn how to represent races and cultures and sexuality intentionally and with authenticity and respect in our writing. Because we live in a diverse world filled with people who are of varying races, cultures, and who practice different religions, and politics, and who may live their lives differently than we do.Understanding comes from having these types of conversations. Thank you to Valerie for taking the time to join me on my podcast. I hope you enjoy it!Listen now or watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i5Sjc14SH_Q
 
 
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Check out Valerie's Website: http://www.vmburns.com/
Download the Transcript: https://writersparkacademy.com/the-importance-of-adding-diversity-to-your-writing/
 
 

Weather Can Play an Important Part in Your Writing

Weather can be an Important Part of Fiction Writing and no one does it better than Katherine Ramsland.
 
Katherine is one accomplished woman. She holds multiple graduate degrees and currently teaches forensic psychology at DeSales University in Pennsylvania, where she is also the Assistant Provost.
 
Listen to this. Katherine has appeared as an expert in criminal psychology on more than 200 crime documentaries and magazine shows. She is an executive producer of Murder House Flip, and she has consulted for CSI, Bones, and The Alienist.
 
On top of that, she has authored more than 1,500 articles and 69 books. I could go on and on and on!
 
During our talk, Katherine talks about being ready for opportunities, and how those opportunities come randomly. I love this and I believe that so many things for me have happened in the same way. Katherine believes in saying yes, and figuring things out along the way if need be, and making your own opportunities rather than waiting for someone else to open the door for you. I loved my talk with Katherine and hearing her take on the weather. I know you will, too.
 
Please LIKE this episode, follow the podcast, and leave a review! I appreciate you!
 
 
 
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Check out Katherine's Website: https://www.katherineramsland.net/author
 

Tools to Mine the Depths of Your Characters

As writers, we are always learning and filling our virtual toolboxes with new information. It's how we continue to grow as writers. In today's episode, I'm chatting with Leslie Budewitz, who also writes as Alicia Beckman. Rants and free writing to channel characters are two of Leslie's Go To methods of mining the depths of her characters. Learn more about her tried and true methods. I came away with several new ideas, and you will, too!  
 
Please LIKE this episode, follow the podcast, and leave a review! I appreciate you!
 
 
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What are Turning Points in a Story?

Please tell me, What are Turning Points in a Story? Are they necessary? What do they do? Let’s talk about it!
 
Whether you are a plotter or a pantser, understanding certain components of storytelling will help you create a more engaging story, which keeps readers turning the pages. In today's episode we’re talking about one of these key components: Turning Points. The simplistic explanation of a Turning Point is that something in the story changes. While that is true, there is a lot more to it.
You can follow along with this podcast on the WriterSpark website.
Also, you can download a PDF of the Three Act Structure with the major Turning Points and Pinch Points delineated. 
 
Please LIKE this episode, follow the podcast, and leave a review! I appreciate you!
 
 
 
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Planning Your Book Like a Pro with Plottr

Every writer plots, we just do it differently. Some of us are meticulous. Some...not so much. Personally, I land somewhere in the middle on the plotting spectrum.
Which is why I was so curious about how plotting software like Plottr can help someone like me. In this episode, I talk with Troy Lambert, an education specialist with Plottr, about different ways to use their software.
I actually learned a lot and am excited to give the Plottr trial a go to see how it can work for me.
 
Here's the link if you want to dig in:
Try Plottr Now!
 
 
Please LIKE this episode, follow the podcast, and leave a review! I appreciate you!
 
Join me on WriterSpark: Tips and Tricks for Fiction Writers
 
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Using JournalisticTools (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How) to Plan Your Novel

There is no shortage of plotting and planning methods when you're writing a book, but no matter where you are in your writing journey, you can learn new methods and who knows, maybe something will resonate.
 
In this episode, I talk with historical mystery writer, Dianne Freeman, about her use of journalistic tools (who, what, when, where, why, and how) in her planning and plotting process.
Take a listen, and happy writing!
 
 
 
Please LIKE this episode, follow the podcast, and leave a review! I appreciate you!
 
Join me on WriterSpark: Tips and Tricks for Fiction Writers
 
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Visit Dianne Freeman's website
 

Three Tips for Writing Compelling Characters

There are a lot of strategies for creating compelling characters in fiction. I have three tips for you to consider. These are, by no means, the only ways to help bring your characters alive. Part of it is about Stimulus; Response; and Result. Take a listen, and happy writing!
 
Download the Cheat Sheet: Three Tips for Writing Great Characters Cheat Sheet.
 
 
Please LIKE this episode, follow the podcast, and leave a review! I appreciate you!
 
Join me on WriterSpark: Tips and Tricks for Fiction Writers
 
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Adding Myth and Lore to the Novels you Write

Adding Myth and Lore to the Novels you Write
 
Author Julia Buckley writes the Hungarian Tea Shop cozy mystery series. She embeds myth and lore to her stories through setting, character history, and memories. 
Why should writers think about how to do this? I believe it adds depth to a story and layers to characters.
Take a listen to my chat with Julia and be inspired to dig into myth and lore.
 
Please LIKE this episode, follow the podcast, and leave a review! I appreciate you!
 
 
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Visit Julia Buckley's website: http://juliabuckley.com
 
Thank you for listening!
 
 
 

Core Qualities of the Reluctant Hero in Fiction Writing

What is a reluctant hero? 
The answer to that question is very simple. A reluctant hero is someone who does not set out to act heroically, but ends up doing so. They are often considered an "ordinary man (person)" who is a reluctant participant in a story. They don't want to be heroes, but they end up being heroes anyway. There are several core qualities most compelling reluctant heroes share.
Keep listening for more! If you'd like to follow along, read the blog post, and Please LIKE this episode, follow the podcast, and leave a review! I appreciate you!
 
Examples in this episode: The Nightingale, by Kristin HannahEnder's Game, by Orson Scott CardHan Solo, Star WarsJohn McClane, Die Hard 1Scarlett O'Hara, Gone With the Wind
Sarah Connor, The TerminatorSamwise Gangee, Lord of the Rings
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Join me on WriterSpark: Tips and Tricks for Fiction Writers
 
 
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Have you Looked at The Hero’s Journey through the Lens of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief?

Have you looked at The Hero's Journey through the lens of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief? If not, you are in the right place because that is exactly what I do in this podcast.
One of the best ways to really begin to internalize the steps and importance of The Hero's Journey in writing is to analyze books and movies that use the story structure. Disney and Pixar movies offer particularly strong examples of this story structure in action. Watching movies and breaking down the Hero's Journeys is one of my favorite pastimes!
In this episode, I look at Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (the movie) and follow Percy's Hero's Journey. Percy, as a protagonist, follows the steps of the Hero's Journey so perfectly. The power of three is also a huge element, which I'll discuss in another podcast, so look for that coming up.
Stay tuned for more great tips and tricks from authors, and for more Hero's Journey analyzes. 
 
Also...
Please LIKE this episode, follow the podcast, and leave a review! I appreciate you!
 
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Visit the Hero's Journey Database: https://writersparkacademy.com/heros-journey-database/
Thank you for listening!