Ian Dawson's Blog, page 2
July 24, 2025
Reading Tip of the Week: Expanding Your Vocabulary
I’ve been reading the Mark Twain biography by Ron Chernow, and have been enjoying his use of college-level vocabulary words.
While I’m sure I’ve seen many of these words in passing, this time I’ve been actively looking up their meanings and sharing them with a friend who is also an avid reader. In turn, she has been sharing vocabulary words she has come across in a book about Abraham Lincoln.
Some of the words I learned in the Mark Twain book include:
Encomium: a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly.
Plebiscite: the direct vote of all members of an electorate on an important public question, such as a change in the constitution.
Impecunious: having little or no money.
Inveigle: persuade (someone) to do something utilizing deception or flattery.
Flummery: empty compliments; nonsense.
Blatherskite: a person who talks at great length without making much sense.
This made me curious to know if other people read and look up vocabulary words they don’t know to enhance their understanding of the topic and further their knowledge of more advanced words.
If this is something that interests you, here are three ways you can look up unknown words and expand your vocabulary and understanding.
Old School
Have a dictionary handy, so when these unknown words appear, you can flip through and find the meaning quickly. Depending on the type of dictionary, you may see synonyms, etymology, and usage of the word as well.
I prefer using a dictionary since I try not to use my phone or tablet when I’m reading a book.
Google It
This is what most of us will do since it’s as easy as typing in the word and hitting SEARCH. You can also screenshot the word and its definition for future reference, and dig even deeper into the word’s origins if you’re so inclined.
Highlight or Tap
If you’re reading on a Kindle, tablet, or your phone, you can tap on a word and the definition will appear on the screen. You can also highlight words in the eBook for future reference.
Final Thoughts…
Like everything else when it comes to reading, personal preference ultimately prevails. Regardless of the method, I believe it’s essential for everyone to look up and explore words they aren’t familiar with and educate themselves. While I’m not suggesting you begin using high-level words in everyday conversation, it can be a great help to you as a reader if you reencounter the word in another context.
Happy Reading and Learning, and I’ll see you next time!
While I’m sure I’ve seen many of these words in passing, this time I’ve been actively looking up their meanings and sharing them with a friend who is also an avid reader. In turn, she has been sharing vocabulary words she has come across in a book about Abraham Lincoln.
Some of the words I learned in the Mark Twain book include:
Encomium: a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly.
Plebiscite: the direct vote of all members of an electorate on an important public question, such as a change in the constitution.
Impecunious: having little or no money.
Inveigle: persuade (someone) to do something utilizing deception or flattery.
Flummery: empty compliments; nonsense.
Blatherskite: a person who talks at great length without making much sense.
This made me curious to know if other people read and look up vocabulary words they don’t know to enhance their understanding of the topic and further their knowledge of more advanced words.
If this is something that interests you, here are three ways you can look up unknown words and expand your vocabulary and understanding.
Old School
Have a dictionary handy, so when these unknown words appear, you can flip through and find the meaning quickly. Depending on the type of dictionary, you may see synonyms, etymology, and usage of the word as well.
I prefer using a dictionary since I try not to use my phone or tablet when I’m reading a book.
Google It
This is what most of us will do since it’s as easy as typing in the word and hitting SEARCH. You can also screenshot the word and its definition for future reference, and dig even deeper into the word’s origins if you’re so inclined.
Highlight or Tap
If you’re reading on a Kindle, tablet, or your phone, you can tap on a word and the definition will appear on the screen. You can also highlight words in the eBook for future reference.
Final Thoughts…
Like everything else when it comes to reading, personal preference ultimately prevails. Regardless of the method, I believe it’s essential for everyone to look up and explore words they aren’t familiar with and educate themselves. While I’m not suggesting you begin using high-level words in everyday conversation, it can be a great help to you as a reader if you reencounter the word in another context.
Happy Reading and Learning, and I’ll see you next time!
Mark Twain by Ron Chernow (the first half)
If you enjoy in-depth biographical sketches of historic figures, look no further than Ron Chernow’s latest book about American author, speaker, and humorist Mark Twain. As a fan of detailed biographies that present a warts-and-all approach to their subjects, Mark Twain delivers these aspects of the author’s life with incredible insight and contemporary perspective.
More than just the author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain’s life and the historical events he lived through make this a well-rounded and eye-opening book.
At 1033 pages of text, Chernow leaves no stone unturned as he examines the life, career, successes, and failures of one of the heavyweights in American literature. I was especially fascinated by the amount of correspondence that was saved, archived, and available from dozens of sources that allowed Chernow to deliver the events in Twain’s life through the words of the author and those around him.
Throughout the first half of the book, Chernow examines Twain’s evolving attitudes and perspectives on race and racism in America and around the world. A product of the pre-Civil War South, Twain’s views on Blacks, Native Americans, the Chinese, and other minority groups did show significant positive change over his decades of life experience. Still, many feel that his writings and novels keep him mired in the bigotry of his past.
This is exemplified in the book’s analysis of Twain’s most well-known work, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and its depiction of Huck’s Black companion, Jim, and the use of the N-word. Chernow provides historical context, Twain’s own opinions and views on the book as he wrote it, and the controversy and subsequent book bans associated with the novel, including its ban from schools during Twain’s lifetime.
One of the many reasons I prefer biographies like this is that they don’t portray the subject as a hero or a villain; instead, they present them as human. Twain was a product of his time, but he was also a man who was willing to adapt his ways and views as the world around him changed. As a world traveler, he was exposed to a variety of cultures, languages, and religions that most in America at this time would never experience.
Around the 550-page mark, we join Twain on a worldwide speaking tour with his loving, patient wife and his daughters as he struggles to dig himself out of a financial mess that threatens his livelihood and family legacy. I’m excited to see what the second half of Mark Twain by Ron Chernow has to offer.
If you’re looking for a solid reading experience about one of America’s most popular literary icons, I highly recommend Mark Twain by Ron Chernow.
More than just the author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain’s life and the historical events he lived through make this a well-rounded and eye-opening book.
At 1033 pages of text, Chernow leaves no stone unturned as he examines the life, career, successes, and failures of one of the heavyweights in American literature. I was especially fascinated by the amount of correspondence that was saved, archived, and available from dozens of sources that allowed Chernow to deliver the events in Twain’s life through the words of the author and those around him.
Throughout the first half of the book, Chernow examines Twain’s evolving attitudes and perspectives on race and racism in America and around the world. A product of the pre-Civil War South, Twain’s views on Blacks, Native Americans, the Chinese, and other minority groups did show significant positive change over his decades of life experience. Still, many feel that his writings and novels keep him mired in the bigotry of his past.
This is exemplified in the book’s analysis of Twain’s most well-known work, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and its depiction of Huck’s Black companion, Jim, and the use of the N-word. Chernow provides historical context, Twain’s own opinions and views on the book as he wrote it, and the controversy and subsequent book bans associated with the novel, including its ban from schools during Twain’s lifetime.
One of the many reasons I prefer biographies like this is that they don’t portray the subject as a hero or a villain; instead, they present them as human. Twain was a product of his time, but he was also a man who was willing to adapt his ways and views as the world around him changed. As a world traveler, he was exposed to a variety of cultures, languages, and religions that most in America at this time would never experience.
Around the 550-page mark, we join Twain on a worldwide speaking tour with his loving, patient wife and his daughters as he struggles to dig himself out of a financial mess that threatens his livelihood and family legacy. I’m excited to see what the second half of Mark Twain by Ron Chernow has to offer.
If you’re looking for a solid reading experience about one of America’s most popular literary icons, I highly recommend Mark Twain by Ron Chernow.
July 17, 2025
Writing Challenge of the Week: Back to Basics
We all love the lure of technology. It’s an ever-present part of our daily lives. We wake up and look at our phone. We use technology to navigate to and from work. We use computers and other tech at the office. We use technology to watch TV, movies, and stream videos online.
Most of us use technology to write, whether it’s using a laptop, a smartphone, or a tablet.
But what if we took a step back in technological time and did something that writers have been doing for centuries before even the advent of the typewriter?
The Challenge
For one week, write only using a pen and paper.
You can use a journal, a legal pad, loose-leaf paper, whatever you wish.
You can use a pen, pencil, colored pencil, or whatever writing implement you prefer.
The important thing here is to get away from the computer and resist the temptation of going online, so you can keep yourself focused on the creative work you need to do. I understand that sometimes you may need to look something up for your project, but you can always notate that while you’re writing and look it up later.
I would also challenge you to get away from the computer and other technological temptations during your writing sessions. Go outside and write. Go to a café and write. Go to the library or bookstore and write.
This week should be about you, your pen and paper, and your creativity. Case closed.
Keep Going
How did that week go? Was it easier to focus? Did you accomplish more in a shorter amount of time?
If this was an enjoyable experience, I recommend making it a regular part of your writing routine. Take a week each month to write freehand. Get out of the house and away from technology and embrace the simplicity of this writing practice. You never know that ideas will flow from that pen onto that paper!
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
Most of us use technology to write, whether it’s using a laptop, a smartphone, or a tablet.
But what if we took a step back in technological time and did something that writers have been doing for centuries before even the advent of the typewriter?
The Challenge
For one week, write only using a pen and paper.
You can use a journal, a legal pad, loose-leaf paper, whatever you wish.
You can use a pen, pencil, colored pencil, or whatever writing implement you prefer.
The important thing here is to get away from the computer and resist the temptation of going online, so you can keep yourself focused on the creative work you need to do. I understand that sometimes you may need to look something up for your project, but you can always notate that while you’re writing and look it up later.
I would also challenge you to get away from the computer and other technological temptations during your writing sessions. Go outside and write. Go to a café and write. Go to the library or bookstore and write.
This week should be about you, your pen and paper, and your creativity. Case closed.
Keep Going
How did that week go? Was it easier to focus? Did you accomplish more in a shorter amount of time?
If this was an enjoyable experience, I recommend making it a regular part of your writing routine. Take a week each month to write freehand. Get out of the house and away from technology and embrace the simplicity of this writing practice. You never know that ideas will flow from that pen onto that paper!
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
July 15, 2025
Writing Tip of the Week: Should Your Story Have Rules? – Part Three, Character Rules
Over the last two posts, we’ve explored the Technical and Narrative Rules to consider when crafting a story. In this final post, we’ll explore the third leg of the story rules stool.
Let’s dive in and explore the world of…
Character Rules
They are an essential element of any story, but they should come with their own set of parameters before you toss them into the narrative chaos they are about to experience.
Who’s in Charge of the Story?:
Which of your characters should shoulder the burden of carrying the reader through the story from beginning to end? Which of them has the most to lose, the most to gain, and the most incredible ability to change as the story unfolds?
Sometimes, a character we initially think would be the ideal main character gets sidelined by one that captures our attention more effectively. This attention-seeking character might be a perfect candidate for the position of story protagonist. The protagonist should be someone capable of change, who is directly impacted by the events unfolding in the story, and who will engage in a confrontation with the story’s antagonist.
Look at your cast of characters and decide if the person you’ve chosen to be the main character is the best choice, or if there’s someone else waiting in the wings for their moment in the spotlight.
How Many POVs:
Some writers throw lots of points of view at their readers. James Patterson likes to do this, giving characters a single chapter to inform the reader of things the main character doesn’t know yet, so we’re ahead of them in the narrative.
Others stick with just the protagonist’s point of view; we find out information at the same time they do.
Others alternate, such as Nelson DeMille, who will give us the POV of the main character, then intersperse a few chapters from the antagonist’s POV so we understand their mindset and perspective, usually before the final showdown.
This is worth considering, since the more POVs you have, the more story you have to craft for these characters to have something to do that adds to the story and provides additional conflict or tension for the main character.
Even if these characters are embroiled in a subplot, they still must connect to the main character and story in some significant way; otherwise, their existence in the story is pointless.
Also, too many POVs could lead to confusion for the reader, which is the last thing you want to do.
If this is your first novel, I suggest sticking to one or two POVs to maintain your sanity as you write the story. Keep things simple and easy to follow. You’ll thank me when you begin the rewrite process and don’t have to keep track of eight different POVs!
A Character’s Purpose:
Step back and examine each character that will populate your story. What function do they provide in the overall narrative structure of the story?
Each character should exist to serve the story. If they’re just there, they need to go. It’s as simple as that.
From the main character to the people in a crowd, each character you include in your novel, short story, screenplay, or play needs to have a definite purpose. It can be simple or complex, but they need to have a reason to be there.
Let’s break things down:
Main Character: They drive the story forward; without them actively pursuing a goal, the story has nowhere to go.
Antagonist: The person opposing the main character and trying to prevent them from reaching their stated goal.
Secondary Characters: These can be friends, love interests, sidekicks, pets, or anyone who is around the main character or antagonist, offering them advice, support, or assistance.
Tertiary Characters: Minor characters your main character meets along their journey. They may be in only one chapter or scene, but the information they provide or the actions they take assist the main character positively or negatively and can contribute to the story’s direction.
Utility Characters: A crowd at a concert. Protesters. Campers. Patrons at a biker bar. These are usually nameless characters that help give a location atmosphere and personality. These are extras (aka background artists) that can be described to enhance the location currently inhabited by your other characters.
As you add characters to your story, ask yourself what purpose they serve. If their presence doesn’t enhance or help move the story forward, then it might be wise to remove them from the narrative.
Final Thoughts…
I know it’s a lot to consider. Still, by taking the time to think about and establish the basic Technical, Narrative, and Character Rules for your story, you will give yourself a great advantage as you begin writing. Since these rules have already been set, you can now focus on the creative side of things and get into the creative side of things: the drafting process.
Happy writing, and I’ll see you next time!
Let’s dive in and explore the world of…
Character Rules
They are an essential element of any story, but they should come with their own set of parameters before you toss them into the narrative chaos they are about to experience.
Who’s in Charge of the Story?:
Which of your characters should shoulder the burden of carrying the reader through the story from beginning to end? Which of them has the most to lose, the most to gain, and the most incredible ability to change as the story unfolds?
Sometimes, a character we initially think would be the ideal main character gets sidelined by one that captures our attention more effectively. This attention-seeking character might be a perfect candidate for the position of story protagonist. The protagonist should be someone capable of change, who is directly impacted by the events unfolding in the story, and who will engage in a confrontation with the story’s antagonist.
Look at your cast of characters and decide if the person you’ve chosen to be the main character is the best choice, or if there’s someone else waiting in the wings for their moment in the spotlight.
How Many POVs:
Some writers throw lots of points of view at their readers. James Patterson likes to do this, giving characters a single chapter to inform the reader of things the main character doesn’t know yet, so we’re ahead of them in the narrative.
Others stick with just the protagonist’s point of view; we find out information at the same time they do.
Others alternate, such as Nelson DeMille, who will give us the POV of the main character, then intersperse a few chapters from the antagonist’s POV so we understand their mindset and perspective, usually before the final showdown.
This is worth considering, since the more POVs you have, the more story you have to craft for these characters to have something to do that adds to the story and provides additional conflict or tension for the main character.
Even if these characters are embroiled in a subplot, they still must connect to the main character and story in some significant way; otherwise, their existence in the story is pointless.
Also, too many POVs could lead to confusion for the reader, which is the last thing you want to do.
If this is your first novel, I suggest sticking to one or two POVs to maintain your sanity as you write the story. Keep things simple and easy to follow. You’ll thank me when you begin the rewrite process and don’t have to keep track of eight different POVs!
A Character’s Purpose:
Step back and examine each character that will populate your story. What function do they provide in the overall narrative structure of the story?
Each character should exist to serve the story. If they’re just there, they need to go. It’s as simple as that.
From the main character to the people in a crowd, each character you include in your novel, short story, screenplay, or play needs to have a definite purpose. It can be simple or complex, but they need to have a reason to be there.
Let’s break things down:
Main Character: They drive the story forward; without them actively pursuing a goal, the story has nowhere to go.
Antagonist: The person opposing the main character and trying to prevent them from reaching their stated goal.
Secondary Characters: These can be friends, love interests, sidekicks, pets, or anyone who is around the main character or antagonist, offering them advice, support, or assistance.
Tertiary Characters: Minor characters your main character meets along their journey. They may be in only one chapter or scene, but the information they provide or the actions they take assist the main character positively or negatively and can contribute to the story’s direction.
Utility Characters: A crowd at a concert. Protesters. Campers. Patrons at a biker bar. These are usually nameless characters that help give a location atmosphere and personality. These are extras (aka background artists) that can be described to enhance the location currently inhabited by your other characters.
As you add characters to your story, ask yourself what purpose they serve. If their presence doesn’t enhance or help move the story forward, then it might be wise to remove them from the narrative.
Final Thoughts…
I know it’s a lot to consider. Still, by taking the time to think about and establish the basic Technical, Narrative, and Character Rules for your story, you will give yourself a great advantage as you begin writing. Since these rules have already been set, you can now focus on the creative side of things and get into the creative side of things: the drafting process.
Happy writing, and I’ll see you next time!
July 10, 2025
Writing Tip of the Week: Should Your Story Have Rules? – Part Two, Narrative Rules
Last time, we explored establishing certain Technical Rules for your story before you begin writing. Today, we’ll explore another rule worth considering during the early phases of your story’s journey.
Let’s explore the world of…
Narrative Rules
Knowing how your story unfolds and is told before you begin writing can go a long way to ensuring you don’t have to backtrack or start over when things get confusing. Remember, if you’re confused by elements of your story, the reader will be equally confused, if not more.
Timeline:
How long does the story last? A day? A week? A holiday season? Does it span years or decades? Figuring out the basic timeline of events will help you plot your story and determine when essential story elements need to occur.
Also, depending on the length of your story’s timeline, ask yourself if the timeframe you’ve chosen is too short, too long, or fits perfectly with the story you plan to tell.
Story Structure:
Plan out your story and your main character’s arc before you sit down to write. This will save you a great deal of time and prevent you from getting stuck. With a completed outline of the story’s structure, you’ll know where you’re going and should have an idea of how you plan to get to that next major story point.
Additionally, this is a good time to determine how many stories are being told and interwoven into the main narrative. While the main character is the primary focus, are there other characters who will be followed in their subplots that link to the main story? As you craft the overarching structure of your story, this is the ideal time to make those choices and determine where to incorporate these elements.
Know Where You’re Going:
Is this book a standalone, or do you want to write a series? Will each story of the series be its own narrative, or will they be interconnected? Determining this early on can help you as you craft the structure of the first book and plan how much information to reveal about the main character at the start.
What Can and Can’t Happen:
This applies to all genres and is crucial for maintaining consistency throughout your story. If your story is fantasy and contains magic, how powerful is the magic? What types of magic are present in the world of your story? What kind of magic does the main character possess (or eventually acquire)? The villain?
If it’s an action or crime thriller, can anyone die? Is the main character in danger of being killed off, making everyone in the story vulnerable?
If it’s sci-fi, flesh out the worlds you create and decide how each society functions, what technology they have, and what types of problems and conflicts the main character could run into when they arrive at each location. Even if it’s a dystopian society on Earth, deciding what can and can’t happen in that society will help you creatively as your characters navigate their surroundings.
These are a handful of examples, but take the time to consider these aspects of your story before you write. An excellent example of this is the original Star Wars trilogy. Lucas does a fantastic job of immersing us in the world he created, and he provides us with the rules and limitations of The Force, as well as its application for both good and evil.
Lucas sets up the rules for The Force in A New Hope, but then expands on and shows the audience how it’s used in the subsequent two films.
Aside from Star Wars, I recommend watching any movie and examining the story’s established rules. Is there ever a point where the story breaks its own rules?
Next Time…
In the next post, we’ll explore some Character Rules to consider while brainstorming and plotting your story. Happy writing, and I’ll see you next time!
Let’s explore the world of…
Narrative Rules
Knowing how your story unfolds and is told before you begin writing can go a long way to ensuring you don’t have to backtrack or start over when things get confusing. Remember, if you’re confused by elements of your story, the reader will be equally confused, if not more.
Timeline:
How long does the story last? A day? A week? A holiday season? Does it span years or decades? Figuring out the basic timeline of events will help you plot your story and determine when essential story elements need to occur.
Also, depending on the length of your story’s timeline, ask yourself if the timeframe you’ve chosen is too short, too long, or fits perfectly with the story you plan to tell.
Story Structure:
Plan out your story and your main character’s arc before you sit down to write. This will save you a great deal of time and prevent you from getting stuck. With a completed outline of the story’s structure, you’ll know where you’re going and should have an idea of how you plan to get to that next major story point.
Additionally, this is a good time to determine how many stories are being told and interwoven into the main narrative. While the main character is the primary focus, are there other characters who will be followed in their subplots that link to the main story? As you craft the overarching structure of your story, this is the ideal time to make those choices and determine where to incorporate these elements.
Know Where You’re Going:
Is this book a standalone, or do you want to write a series? Will each story of the series be its own narrative, or will they be interconnected? Determining this early on can help you as you craft the structure of the first book and plan how much information to reveal about the main character at the start.
What Can and Can’t Happen:
This applies to all genres and is crucial for maintaining consistency throughout your story. If your story is fantasy and contains magic, how powerful is the magic? What types of magic are present in the world of your story? What kind of magic does the main character possess (or eventually acquire)? The villain?
If it’s an action or crime thriller, can anyone die? Is the main character in danger of being killed off, making everyone in the story vulnerable?
If it’s sci-fi, flesh out the worlds you create and decide how each society functions, what technology they have, and what types of problems and conflicts the main character could run into when they arrive at each location. Even if it’s a dystopian society on Earth, deciding what can and can’t happen in that society will help you creatively as your characters navigate their surroundings.
These are a handful of examples, but take the time to consider these aspects of your story before you write. An excellent example of this is the original Star Wars trilogy. Lucas does a fantastic job of immersing us in the world he created, and he provides us with the rules and limitations of The Force, as well as its application for both good and evil.
Lucas sets up the rules for The Force in A New Hope, but then expands on and shows the audience how it’s used in the subsequent two films.
Aside from Star Wars, I recommend watching any movie and examining the story’s established rules. Is there ever a point where the story breaks its own rules?
Next Time…
In the next post, we’ll explore some Character Rules to consider while brainstorming and plotting your story. Happy writing, and I’ll see you next time!
July 8, 2025
Writing Tip of the Week: Should Your Story Have Rules? – Part One, Technical Rules
Rules. While it’s odd to think about, stories do come with their own sets of fixed rules and regulations that help the author know what can and can’t happen in a story. These can be simple or complex, but establishing a set of rules for your story and its characters can help you as you craft your narrative.
The best time to establish rules for your story is before you begin the outline/drafting process. This will help you have these guardrails in place as you venture out into the creative world of your story.
Over the next three posts, we’ll discuss the areas where you should establish rules beforehand. Let’s begin with…
Technical Rules
These are aspects that affect not just how you write your story, but how the reader experiences it. These include:
Point-of-View:
Will the story be told through first-person, second-person, third-person omniscient, or third-person limited narration? Will you use more than one point of view during the story?
Think about your story and what you want to establish about what the characters know and are aware of, and what you want the reader to know about your characters. Do you prefer the reader to hear directly from the character, or do you prefer an ever-present narrator to give insight into your characters’ lives and choices?
Tense:
I would venture to guess that most books are written in the past tense, where the story is being told to us after the fact. However, I have recently read a few books where the story is told in the present tense, placing the reader in the moment and experiencing things as the characters do, as the story unfolds.
Screenplays, plays, and TV scripts are written in the present tense. If you’re interested in experimenting with this story tense, I recommend reading some scripts or seeking out novels like Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuistion in this style to see if it would work for your story.
Basic Structure:
How will the story be told? In chapters? In sections (Part One, Part Two, etc.)? In a long-running narrative with no breaks? In chapters with segments?
Depending on the story being told, the majority of books utilize standard chaptering, but you can decide how you want to label the chapters (Chapter One or Chapter 1). Stephen King often has the main chapter, then sub-sections in those chapters designated by Roman Numerals.
The nice thing about novels versus screenplays is that there is no hard and fast rule about how long the book has to be. Screenplays are typically 110 pages, whereas a novel can be as long as needed to convey the story.
Next Time…
In the next post, we’ll explore some Narrative Rules to consider while brainstorming and plotting your story. Happy writing, and I’ll see you next time!
The best time to establish rules for your story is before you begin the outline/drafting process. This will help you have these guardrails in place as you venture out into the creative world of your story.
Over the next three posts, we’ll discuss the areas where you should establish rules beforehand. Let’s begin with…
Technical Rules
These are aspects that affect not just how you write your story, but how the reader experiences it. These include:
Point-of-View:
Will the story be told through first-person, second-person, third-person omniscient, or third-person limited narration? Will you use more than one point of view during the story?
Think about your story and what you want to establish about what the characters know and are aware of, and what you want the reader to know about your characters. Do you prefer the reader to hear directly from the character, or do you prefer an ever-present narrator to give insight into your characters’ lives and choices?
Tense:
I would venture to guess that most books are written in the past tense, where the story is being told to us after the fact. However, I have recently read a few books where the story is told in the present tense, placing the reader in the moment and experiencing things as the characters do, as the story unfolds.
Screenplays, plays, and TV scripts are written in the present tense. If you’re interested in experimenting with this story tense, I recommend reading some scripts or seeking out novels like Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuistion in this style to see if it would work for your story.
Basic Structure:
How will the story be told? In chapters? In sections (Part One, Part Two, etc.)? In a long-running narrative with no breaks? In chapters with segments?
Depending on the story being told, the majority of books utilize standard chaptering, but you can decide how you want to label the chapters (Chapter One or Chapter 1). Stephen King often has the main chapter, then sub-sections in those chapters designated by Roman Numerals.
The nice thing about novels versus screenplays is that there is no hard and fast rule about how long the book has to be. Screenplays are typically 110 pages, whereas a novel can be as long as needed to convey the story.
Next Time…
In the next post, we’ll explore some Narrative Rules to consider while brainstorming and plotting your story. Happy writing, and I’ll see you next time!
June 22, 2025
Summer Challenge: Reading Diverse Authors
As readers, we all have authors and genres that we gravitate toward because we know from previous experience that we’ll enjoy what we read. It’s easy to get into a reading cycle where we are laser-focused on what we’re comfortable with, but what if we switched things up once or twice a year?
Look, I know that most readers read what they do because they want to, and don’t like being told what to read, what authors to like, or what books they should be obsessing over during certain months of the year.
Humans are creatures of habit who often resist change to their routines, which can include the books they enjoy reading.
However, as an avid reader, I have come across books by diverse authors in various genres that I have loved, making me a fan of their work. Casey McQuiston, Amy Harmon, Kennedy Ryan, and Grady Hendrix are all authors I’ve discovered by stepping out of my reading comfort zone and taking a chance on what these authors have to offer.
And I haven’t been disappointed yet.
I challenge all readers this year to read at least one novel by a BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Latino or Latina, a female, or neurodiverse author, and see how a diverse perspective interprets your favorite genre. You might discover a new voice to add to your reading list.
This summer, get out of your reading comfort zone and read a book from a new author. I guarantee you’ll find something that will surprise and entertain you.
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
Look, I know that most readers read what they do because they want to, and don’t like being told what to read, what authors to like, or what books they should be obsessing over during certain months of the year.
Humans are creatures of habit who often resist change to their routines, which can include the books they enjoy reading.
However, as an avid reader, I have come across books by diverse authors in various genres that I have loved, making me a fan of their work. Casey McQuiston, Amy Harmon, Kennedy Ryan, and Grady Hendrix are all authors I’ve discovered by stepping out of my reading comfort zone and taking a chance on what these authors have to offer.
And I haven’t been disappointed yet.
I challenge all readers this year to read at least one novel by a BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Latino or Latina, a female, or neurodiverse author, and see how a diverse perspective interprets your favorite genre. You might discover a new voice to add to your reading list.
This summer, get out of your reading comfort zone and read a book from a new author. I guarantee you’ll find something that will surprise and entertain you.
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
June 17, 2025
Reading Question of the Week: Where Are You Reading This Summer?
Summer officially begins on Friday, June 20th, which made me wonder what everyone might be reading this summer. With so many types of books to choose from, I thought we’d explore some of the options available for car rides, plane trips, or hanging out at the beach or by the pool.
Road Trips
If you’re the driver, reading a book is out of the question, but audiobooks are always a great option to utilize as you make your way from Point A to Point B. Depending on the length of your trip you can choose an audiobook that will take you to your destination, or break it up between traveling to and from where you’re going.
I would recommend choosing a book that will keep you engaged and awake, which also means finding an audiobook with an author who doesn’t put you to sleep as you drive.
If you’re the passenger, you can either have a say in what audiobook is chosen, or you can pick any book you wish to read on your road trip. An eBook is also an option, and having a variety of books to choose from can make the journey pass more quickly.
Leaving on a Jet Plane
Planes are good for audiobooks to drown out the other passengers, crying babies, fights, and other hindrances to your enjoyment of your flight. It’s a great way to fully immerse yourself in another world as you fly above ours.
If you choose a regular book, you may want to consider something light since you’ll be lugging it around with you. I would recommend avoiding 1000-page books and sticking with lighter fare for your trip. No need to add more weight to your carry-on and get charged an additional fee.
Like the car trip, an eBook is also an option, but if the flight has strict rules about electronics, this could put a damper on your eBook reading plans.
Beach or Pool
I would avoid bringing books with any value or that you don’t want to get wet (or, in the case of the beach, wet and sandy). Nothing ruins a first edition’s value faster than saltwater, chlorine, or wet sand.
If you want to read an eBook, make sure your device is in something waterproof so you avoid any technology versus water mishaps.
Staycation
Read whatever you want in whatever format you wish. You’re home, you’re in your own space and comfort zone. Enjoy the peace and quiet and immerse yourself in a book!
Have Fun!
No matter where you travel, make sure to put the book down long enough to take in your surroundings and enjoy the scenery. Make memories and enjoy your time with family and friends as you travel this summer, and don’t forget to pick up a new bookmark wherever you go!
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
Road Trips
If you’re the driver, reading a book is out of the question, but audiobooks are always a great option to utilize as you make your way from Point A to Point B. Depending on the length of your trip you can choose an audiobook that will take you to your destination, or break it up between traveling to and from where you’re going.
I would recommend choosing a book that will keep you engaged and awake, which also means finding an audiobook with an author who doesn’t put you to sleep as you drive.
If you’re the passenger, you can either have a say in what audiobook is chosen, or you can pick any book you wish to read on your road trip. An eBook is also an option, and having a variety of books to choose from can make the journey pass more quickly.
Leaving on a Jet Plane
Planes are good for audiobooks to drown out the other passengers, crying babies, fights, and other hindrances to your enjoyment of your flight. It’s a great way to fully immerse yourself in another world as you fly above ours.
If you choose a regular book, you may want to consider something light since you’ll be lugging it around with you. I would recommend avoiding 1000-page books and sticking with lighter fare for your trip. No need to add more weight to your carry-on and get charged an additional fee.
Like the car trip, an eBook is also an option, but if the flight has strict rules about electronics, this could put a damper on your eBook reading plans.
Beach or Pool
I would avoid bringing books with any value or that you don’t want to get wet (or, in the case of the beach, wet and sandy). Nothing ruins a first edition’s value faster than saltwater, chlorine, or wet sand.
If you want to read an eBook, make sure your device is in something waterproof so you avoid any technology versus water mishaps.
Staycation
Read whatever you want in whatever format you wish. You’re home, you’re in your own space and comfort zone. Enjoy the peace and quiet and immerse yourself in a book!
Have Fun!
No matter where you travel, make sure to put the book down long enough to take in your surroundings and enjoy the scenery. Make memories and enjoy your time with family and friends as you travel this summer, and don’t forget to pick up a new bookmark wherever you go!
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
June 5, 2025
Writing Exercise of the Week: What’s Your Favorite Holiday?
There are a lot of holidays on the calendar these days. Aside from the big ones like Easter and Christmas, it seems as if each day has some designated event associated with it, whether it’s official or not. Did you know that January 29 is Puzzle Day, March 19th is Let’s Laugh Day, and June 7 is VCR Day? I’ve provided a link to the list at the end of this post.
With official and unofficial holidays in mind, let’s get to today’s writing exercise!
Exercise # 1 - Pick Your Favorite Holiday
The sky’s the limit on which to pick, but pick one you get excited about celebrating. Make a list of five to ten things that you like about the holiday. It could be food, decorations, the people you see, the weather, etc.
Now, using the first-person POV, write a few paragraphs describing your ideal moment during this holiday in detail. If it’s Christmas, maybe it’s your kids opening presents Christmas morning. If it’s Halloween, perhaps it’s handing out candy and seeing the various costumes.
Whatever moment you choose, go into detail and use your five senses.
What do you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell during this particular holiday moment?
How do these positive emotions impact how you write about your chosen holiday?
Exercise #2 - Pick Your Least Favorite Holiday
Everyone has that one holiday they can’t stand, and now is your time to rant about why you dislike it so much. List five to ten things you dislike about your chosen holiday.
Again, using the first-person POV, pick a moment during that hated holiday and write a few paragraphs describing in detail why you feel this way. This is for your eyes only, so let the disdain flow from your fingers as you describe everything you can’t stand about this awful holiday in detail.
Maybe you can’t stand Halloween because of all the violence and gore around. Perhaps you don’t like New Year’s Eve because the fireworks and loud noises bother your pets. Whatever the reasons, craft a detailed story where you discuss the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and tactile aspects of the holiday that you can’t stand.
How do these negative emotions impact how you write about your chosen holiday?
---
Check out the link for a list of annual unofficial holidays.
With official and unofficial holidays in mind, let’s get to today’s writing exercise!
Exercise # 1 - Pick Your Favorite Holiday
The sky’s the limit on which to pick, but pick one you get excited about celebrating. Make a list of five to ten things that you like about the holiday. It could be food, decorations, the people you see, the weather, etc.
Now, using the first-person POV, write a few paragraphs describing your ideal moment during this holiday in detail. If it’s Christmas, maybe it’s your kids opening presents Christmas morning. If it’s Halloween, perhaps it’s handing out candy and seeing the various costumes.
Whatever moment you choose, go into detail and use your five senses.
What do you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell during this particular holiday moment?
How do these positive emotions impact how you write about your chosen holiday?
Exercise #2 - Pick Your Least Favorite Holiday
Everyone has that one holiday they can’t stand, and now is your time to rant about why you dislike it so much. List five to ten things you dislike about your chosen holiday.
Again, using the first-person POV, pick a moment during that hated holiday and write a few paragraphs describing in detail why you feel this way. This is for your eyes only, so let the disdain flow from your fingers as you describe everything you can’t stand about this awful holiday in detail.
Maybe you can’t stand Halloween because of all the violence and gore around. Perhaps you don’t like New Year’s Eve because the fireworks and loud noises bother your pets. Whatever the reasons, craft a detailed story where you discuss the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and tactile aspects of the holiday that you can’t stand.
How do these negative emotions impact how you write about your chosen holiday?
---
Check out the link for a list of annual unofficial holidays.
June 3, 2025
Writing Exercise of the Week: What’s Your Ideal Vacation?
Vacations, road trips, and weekend adventures—we’ve all experienced them at one point in our lives, and most of us have had one or two that have been truly memorable. As we near the time of year when many people go on vacation, I thought a writing exercise in that vein would be fun to do.
So, pack your bags and let’s go!
Exercise #1 – Your Ideal Vacation
Brainstorm a list of all the places you’d love to go on vacation. Pick one of those places, then research places to stay, things to do, and where you can eat while there. Next, decide who you’d like to take on the trip with you (it’s 100% fine if you want to go alone).
Now, write a short story (500 words) about arriving at your ideal vacation spot. Why did you choose this place? Describe the sights and sounds as you take in this new and exciting place. How do you feel inside as you arrive at your ideal vacation destination?
Exercise #2 – Your Favorite Vacation Moment
We’ve all had a vacation that we were sad to see end, and those vacations always have a few key moments that make them a memorable experience.
Pick one of those favorite moments and write about it in detail. What happened right before this moment? Who were you with? What was the weather like? What do you recall about your emotional reactions to this perfect vacation moment? What made it so ideal for you and anyone else who was there? What happened right after this perfect moment? Did the high of the experience stick with you, or did it vanish soon after?
Exercise #3 – Your Worst Vacation Moment
Vacations have their ups and downs, but what about those moments that suck so bad you want to escape the vacation and go home immediately? Negative vacation moments can be as memorable as those we cherish, whether car trouble, a bad hotel room, dealing with other tourists, or the attitudes of workers we encounter.
Pick one of these “worst” moments and write a story about it. What led up to the bad series of events? Who was there with you? Who was the leading cause of the problems you faced? What moment bothered you most and made you want to run away? How were things resolved? Were they resolved? What emotions and feelings did you have during the series of bad events? Did you learn anything from what happened?
Why Am I Doing This?
We can learn a lot about ourselves through our good and bad life experiences. While the negative experiences are ones we wish to forget, they can also be highly relatable to an audience.
Thinking back and journaling about your experiences is an excellent way to have reference material for your work and to give you plenty of real-life stories to inspire you and your writing.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
So, pack your bags and let’s go!
Exercise #1 – Your Ideal Vacation
Brainstorm a list of all the places you’d love to go on vacation. Pick one of those places, then research places to stay, things to do, and where you can eat while there. Next, decide who you’d like to take on the trip with you (it’s 100% fine if you want to go alone).
Now, write a short story (500 words) about arriving at your ideal vacation spot. Why did you choose this place? Describe the sights and sounds as you take in this new and exciting place. How do you feel inside as you arrive at your ideal vacation destination?
Exercise #2 – Your Favorite Vacation Moment
We’ve all had a vacation that we were sad to see end, and those vacations always have a few key moments that make them a memorable experience.
Pick one of those favorite moments and write about it in detail. What happened right before this moment? Who were you with? What was the weather like? What do you recall about your emotional reactions to this perfect vacation moment? What made it so ideal for you and anyone else who was there? What happened right after this perfect moment? Did the high of the experience stick with you, or did it vanish soon after?
Exercise #3 – Your Worst Vacation Moment
Vacations have their ups and downs, but what about those moments that suck so bad you want to escape the vacation and go home immediately? Negative vacation moments can be as memorable as those we cherish, whether car trouble, a bad hotel room, dealing with other tourists, or the attitudes of workers we encounter.
Pick one of these “worst” moments and write a story about it. What led up to the bad series of events? Who was there with you? Who was the leading cause of the problems you faced? What moment bothered you most and made you want to run away? How were things resolved? Were they resolved? What emotions and feelings did you have during the series of bad events? Did you learn anything from what happened?
Why Am I Doing This?
We can learn a lot about ourselves through our good and bad life experiences. While the negative experiences are ones we wish to forget, they can also be highly relatable to an audience.
Thinking back and journaling about your experiences is an excellent way to have reference material for your work and to give you plenty of real-life stories to inspire you and your writing.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
