Writing Workshop Archives - Seeking Stories

WRITING EXPOSITION WELL: A STUDY IN STAR WARS

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Hey, Story Seeker! Let’s talk about exposition. You know, that “nasty” stuff writers are supposed to stay away from at all costs?

That’s not entirely fair though. Exposition – in its proper form – is a necessary part of most stories. When we enter a story, we’re breaking into another world, even if that other world is simply the happenings of the next-door neighbor. The story may include elements that require a bit more understanding if we are to fully grasp the narrative and experience the tale to its fullest extent.

Exposition helps readers understand important pieces of the story world. It frames a context, helping readers understand what’s at stake. When necessary, it provides history and background. Exposition offers details so that we can keep-up with the plot.

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7 Keys for Writing an Action Prologue

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As its name suggests, the purpose of the action prologue is to thrust the audience into your story as quickly as possible.

This particular prologue has little time to bother with narrations or opening expositions. It’s sole objective is to build character, introduce your story-world, set the tone, hook the audience, and lay the foundations for your plot. Oh yeah – and be separated by the rest of the story with one key ingredient:

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6 Steps for Conquering Writing Distractions

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Distractions are the great writing-killers. They’re subtle, nasty, and have a sneaky habit of inserting themselves into our good intentions. Many a good intention have succumbed to the odorless poison that is distractions until, gradually, all that is left are the ashes of time, lost and forgotten.

Maybe that’s a taaaad extreme, but if you’re a writer, filmmaker, or really any type of creative, I’d wager you’ve gone to battle against distractions and trudged home victor-less more than you’d care to admit. Me too.

While some distractions are certainly legitimate (i.e., family emergency), too many could easily be avoided by 1) Knowing what these little enemies look like, and 2) securing a plan to evade, avoid, or eliminate them.

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10 things I learned during my first year blogging.

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Every blogger is required by universal law to compile a year-one reflection on their endeavors. Right?

Kidding aside, this post originally began as a top-10 favorite movie list before thankfully morphing into a more useful summation of practices I dug-up during my first 12 months of writing for the web. My hope is that you will also find these practices helpful as you pursue your own epic goals!

A mere 18 months ago, I scoffed at the notion of blogging, podcasting, or YouTubing, but as is typically in life, the Lord showed me how foolish my own simple ideas are. He not only gracefully shoved me towards these arenas, but allowed me to understand the creative pleasure that a disciplined embracing of these mediums can offer.

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The 7 Elements of a Great Protagonist

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Let’s face it. We’re selfish story consumers.

We crave stories for what they do to our soul. We want to be changed by the stories we experience. We want to vicariously experience tales that rip us from comfortable homes, or permit us to escape unpleasant ones. Stories help us wrestle with truths and grow beyond what individual experiences alone can teach us.

With the plethora of stories available to us 21st Century story-lovers, not any old tale will do. We want stories whose characters clutch our hearts, tightening the grip until their journey is complete.

If you’re reading this, I’d wager it’s because you have an un-quenching desire to tell tales as equally as bold as the stories which changed your own life. To craft memorable characters who root deep within the hearts of your readers.

Creating unforgettable characters is a noble venture indeed. It is also mind-numbingly challenging. And while there is no formula for doing so, there are a few tried-and-true elements that all great protagonists have. I hope these principles help you on your journey of bringing to life characters who change the lives of not only your readers, but yours as well.

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Of Sound & Story: Audiobooks & Reading

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“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”

The words of Henry David Thoreau seem even more poignant while staring at a column of tail-lights that stretch for miles down an endless highway. The commute is a formidable daily experience for nearly everyone of working age. When Google informed me that I had spent over sixty hours in the car last month, that is over two days for every thirty, I knew I had to make better use of my time.

Most of us can’t change the necessity of driving from place to place, particularly when it involves work, but finding a way to transform those moments of desperation into fruitful experiences is possible. Last year I began an intentional effort to listen to audiobooks during my commute, and it has changed my perspective about car rides – I now enjoy going to and from work.

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