The Novelist: The Importance of Setting in Fiction Writing
June 20, 2010 by Nina Munteanu
Filed under Fiction Writing, Workshops, Writing Tips, Writing Workshops, the novelist
Setting provides an “emotional landscape” upon which a character’s own temperament may play counterpoint or may resonate in a wonderful symphony
—Nina Munteanu (The Fiction Writer)
In my online writing classes and workshops I cover several common pitfalls of beginning writers. One common pitfall is to forget the importance of setting in story. Think of Frodo in [...]
Why Write a Synopsis?
January 25, 2010 by The Passionate Writer
Filed under Fiction Writing, Publishing, Writing Tips, the novelist
There is something terrifyingly daunting about writing and sending a succinct and compelling summary of your novel packaged in just a few pages. I had a right to be terrified. In some ways the synopsis is the hardest thing for a novelist to write. Yet it is the first thing most publishers and agents want [...]
How To End Your Story
September 21, 2009 by The Passionate Writer
Filed under Fiction Writing, Writing Tips
A story’s ending should conclude the story’s plot and theme satisfactorily to the reader. The last thing you want to do is create an ending or dénouement that struggles in its conclusions. The kind of ending you choose for your story will depend on the kind of story you are telling: one that rises to [...]
A Hero’s Journey – Part 3: The Journey’s Map
July 22, 2009 by The Passionate Writer
Filed under Fiction Writing, Writing Tips, Writing Workshops
Christopher Vogler, author of The Writer’s Journey, describes a 12-stage journey based on the three-act storyline of the Greeks. It is also based on Joseph Campbell’s 8-step transformation model.
The twelve steps fall within the three Acts, which consist of:
Separation: ordinary world; call to adventure; refusal of the call; meeting with the mentor; and crossing the [...]
A Hero’s Journey – Part 2: Archetypes
July 21, 2009 by The Passionate Writer
Filed under Fiction Writing, Writing Tips, Writing Workshops
The world of fairy tales and myth is peopled with recurring character types and relationships. Heroes on a quest, heralds and wise old men or women who provide them with “gifts”, shady fellow-travelers—threshold guardians—who may “block” the path, tricksters who confuse and complicate things and evil villains who simply want to destroy our hero. Joseph [...]
