Serein Choo's Blog, page 7
April 7, 2024
Quote of the Day
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
Louis L’Armour (Novelist, writer)
We must start somewhere, no matter when, where, what or how.
Let’s get that pen writing (or keyboard typing) 
#MondayMotivation
Disclaimer, quote doesn’t belong to me.
March 31, 2024
Quote of the Day
“It’s a very cool thing to be a writer.”
Bryan Hutchinson (Author)
And I agree a lot!
Cool, funny, fantastic. I am glad to be one
#MondayMotivation
Disclaimer: Quote doesn’t belong to me.
March 27, 2024
Wreak Havoc in Your Characters: How?
Unfortunately, there’s no magical solution like how we could just press a button which says ‘inserting tragic irony here’ into my story, but I do have ten pieces of advice to share that might help.
1. Understand your characters – Irony often stems from characters’ actions, decisions, or flaws. Understanding your characters deeply—their motivations, desires, and fears—allows you to craft situations where their choices lead to ironic outcomes.
Consider this, a detective was looking for the murder of a certain case, that is his motivation, his action, but what is his fear? What if along the way that he found clues that all point to himself as the murderer. As a policeman/detective, to realize that he was the one orchestrating this murder.
Utilizing that fear is a good way to exploit it.
A barber who is afraid of using the scissors, an architect who can’t draw straight line (he/she manage so far because of modern technology), a doctor who can’t empathized with his/her patients, etc.
2. Exploit flaws – More often than not, it’s some sort of character flaw that leads someone into a tragically ironic situation. A character’s hubris, naivety, or overconfidence can set the stage for an ironic twist that can seem inevitable while still being surprising. A chef was very confident in their palette and was said to be pull under rug by that specific skill (can’t taste anything during a competition).
3. Plan for irony from the start – When plotting your story, think about how ironic situations can arise naturally from the characters’ journeys. Planning for irony from the outset makes it feel integrated into the story rather than something forced in there. Like the example I mentioned in the Lonely Castle of the Mirror, the objective was hidden in plain sight, and was introduced in the beginning of the story.
4. Use dual meanings – Design scenes that can be interpreted in multiple ways. Yes, your character is happy for now, but their actions will ultimately bring them some unwanted long term consequences. For example, Michael, a famous mukbang influencer was invited to a exclusive French dining at a mysterious island. He accepted the invitation and went, excited and happy, but realized how everything was very strange, the staff who was serving, the hosts, the other guests (which serves as hints and foreshadowing).
5. Hint at future events – Use foreshadowing to hint at ironic twists without giving them away. A light touch keeps the readers engaged, trying to piece together the clues (as per the example for above – host, staff, guests behaviour. Plot/drop/sprinkle them in chapters) without spoiling the surprise. Tragic irony isn’t nearly as effective if the reader figures it out in the first act.
6. Use symbolism and metaphors – Symbols and metaphors serve as subtle guides, paving the way for ironic outcomes in your narrative. Opt for symbols that harmonize with the overarching theme or moral of your story, intensifying the impact of tragic irony.
Using previous example, food was a general theme, add a twists to it, a lucky fork that Michael always uses suddenly changed in colour, from a silver to black (due to poison) and also signify his fate to this island. Use words like, ‘It’ was the Last Supper’, to show that the murderer was among them/a betrayal.
7. Avoid heavy-handedness – Avoid subjecting your readers to a heavy-handed narrative device, especially when it comes to reading. The crucial element for effective irony lies in subtlety. Aim to let your readers experience the satisfaction of connecting the dots on their own, steering clear of explicit explanations of the ironic twist. Go back to the basic, show, don’t tell.
8. Let readers in… a little – Strike a balance between subtlety and reader engagement. While avoiding excessive obviousness, consider allowing your readers a glimpse of the irony just moments before it fully unfolds. This strategic revelation enhances their investment in the story, creating a sense of anticipation and involvement.
9. Make sure irony serves the story – Ensure that every instance of irony serves a meaningful purpose within your narrative. Whether it’s used to underscore a central theme, deepen character development, or enrich the plot. Irony should contribute to the overall coherence and impact of your story.
Avoid employing irony merely for its own sake, as gratuitous or misplaced instances can disrupt the narrative flow and compromise the intended impact.
10. Use irony to enhance your themes – Tragic irony, especially, holds the potential to intricately connect with the overarching themes of your narrative.
I do suggest to try incorporating tragic irony into your stories. On a note though, all this needs a little bit more planning. You cannot wing it unless everything already set up in your mind, and all you have to do is write it out. So, my fellow pansters, to ‘insert irony here’ you gotta plan ahead, no need elaborate planning, just points/bullets forms will do.
Hope it helps, glad to be on this learning journey with you!
Happy writing.
March 26, 2024
Wreak Havoc in Your Characters: What?!
Why do I advice you to wreak havoc in your characters? Here’s the simple idea of it, imagine yourself as a reader, you read a really good character, very likeable even better than most real-life people. But then they (or the character/characters) make a decision you know will send them right into the arms of a waiting killer or into the path of a car with the brakes cut.
This is the heart-wrenching essence of tragic irony—a literary device as old as Greek legends that entwines fate, free will, and the stark reality of consequences. There a few types of tragic irony present in stories.
Situational Irony
This is what most people consider “irony” if you just say the word itself. Situational irony happens when the outcome of a situation is the opposite of what you (or a character) expect it to be. Example, the main character seeks out courage/an item of importance but have already possessed it all along or a detective who was looking for the culprit founds out that he was one of the accomplice to the crime.
We could take an example from Harry Potter, where in the 7th book, Deathly Hallows, discover that was he was the horcrux, and to kill Voldemort, he has to sacrifice himself. The realization of this, was his irony.
Another example I encountered was in the book “Lonely Castle in the Mirror,” where the key to their wishes (the characters’ objective) was cleverly concealed in plain sight, right under their noses.
Verbal Irony
Verbal irony occurs when there’s a gap between spoken words and intended meaning—essentially, it’s sarcasm. To convey it effectively, emphasize specific words, incorporate non-verbal cues, or exaggerate reactions, ensuring clarity for your readers. Example:
“Oh, how pretty you are,” Chrissy complimented her colleague with an exaggerated grin, her sincerity nowhere to be found.
(emphasizing the word pretty and the use of exaggerated grin)
“I would never do that!,” Sarah replied.
(emphasizing the word never and the use of “!” to denote exaggeration)
Dramatic Irony/Tragic Irony
Both dramatic and tragic irony occurs when the readers or audience know something the characters don’t. This is a great way of generating strong emotions: excitement, dread, anxiety, anticipation, etc. In almost all situations, it generates some sort of tension. The difference between the two is that :
Dramatic irony – gives a happier end; whileTragic irony – gives as the name suggest, a tragic end.However both is a great way to create more suspense in the story. Generally for irony to happen we need : installation, exploitation, and resolution. For example (Tragic Irony), in one POV we are introduced to the killer and then in the second chapter second POV, we are introduced to our main character.
As the killer gets closer to target, we started gets worried for the character as she doesn’t know that danger was approaching her while we readers do.
Installation : The killer was stalking the girl while she lives her life unknown to it.
Exploitation : She found that she possessed a strange neighbor and along the way discover more clues related to her stalker (unknown to her but known to us readers, because we are reading the killer/stalker’s POV of how he is dropping these things at her).
Resolution : She realized that her neighbor was the stalker and he wants to kill her.
See you in the next post as I compile a little short tip list on how to apply them to your story that you are crafting.
References:
https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/irony/situational-irony-examples
March 24, 2024
Quote of the Day
“This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until it’s done. It’s that easy, and that hard.”
Neil Gaiman (Author)
You may write on the sofa or bed (use pen and paper) if that works for you.
But write, we must.
#MondayMotivation
Disclaimer: Quote doesn’t belong to me.
March 21, 2024
ONC 2024 : 11
Another great tip for writing, the story of your dreams.
To keep readers wanting more, your writing needs to get them invested in the conflict, the story, the plot, and character arcs, making them eager to keep reading. How do you achieve this? The answer is to use micro-cliffhangers.
I don’t mean ending your story with a question, such as “What is going to happen next? How are they going to get out of this situation?” I am referring to building up the scene and revealing something unexpected or unsettling to the point where everyone is going to want to know what happens next. This could be the character finding crucial information or a confrontation where the stakes are amping up.
The crux of the tip is to make sure your chapters break at appropriate points, leaving your readers wondering about the what, who, where, when, and how at the end of each chapter. This will have readers on the edge of their seats in no time.
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If you’re interested in checking out my story, here’s the link to my story on Wattpad : Oxy-Gen
March 20, 2024
ONC 2024 : 10
Common mistakes in amateur writers/writing. I think that Alexa Donne highlights a lot of them, a total of 22 of them which I think are very helpful. I really recommend to check this video out.
Some of the mistakes that I want to highlight are:
Tense shifting – I still have this problem. Maybe because English is my second language so, I would often got this feedback from readers. Where I mix present and past tenses.
Information Dumping – I believe I excel at maintaining a balance in this aspect. While I haven’t received specific feedback on overloading with information, I have been mindful of avoiding underwriting or providing insufficient details. I have received one remark regarding this (not enough details to imagine).
Repetitive sentence structure – Which I see a lot in other writings as well where they always start the paragraph with the same sentence structure, i.e I am going to… then the next paragraph would also be the same I am talking to ….
Redundant Writing – Remove, conditional phrases. Use, strong active verb – Instead of I walk so fast practically running. It would be better to use, I raced home which will give stronger, direct and active vibes. You can check out further on this on my other post (Strong Language) regarding this issue.
Telling – Similar to Alexa, achieving a balance in this area is quite challenging for me. I find it difficult to implement the “show, don’t tell” principle, often leaning more towards conveying information directly. I tend to provide details rather than vividly describing them.
Poor Story Logic – This aspect impacts me the most. I have a logical mindset, and I prefer characters to adhere to a consistent logic. I find it challenging when characters deviate abruptly from their established traits or even from common logic (present logic or the logic that was present in that period of time).
Understanding characters and their motives is crucial to me. When a character’s actions lack a logical foundation, particularly for antagonists who suddenly exhibit psychotic behavior without coherence, it feels disjointed and out of place.
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If you’re interested in checking out my story, here’s the link to my story on Wattpad : Oxy-Gen
March 19, 2024
ONC 2024 : 9
Fast Drafting
If you don’t know what is fast drafting, fast drafting is a writing technique that involves quickly producing a draft of a story or novella within a compressed timeframe. The goal is to overcome perfectionism and self-editing tendencies, allowing the writer to generate a complete draft more efficiently. Here are some tips to perform fast drafting:
Know your deadlines and daily word counts: (which is especially useful for ONC)Understand the overall timeline for your writing project, including any submission deadlines.Break down the total word count goal into daily or weekly targets to stay on track.Having a clear schedule helps you manage your time effectively and ensures steady progress.Plan out your novella as much as possible: (try your best)Create a detailed outline or plan for your novella before starting the fast drafting process.Having a roadmap helps you stay focused and reduces the chances of getting stuck during the writing process.Outline major plot points, character arcs, and key scenes to guide your writing.Stick to your routine: (it’s hard, I know but let’s try it out)Establish a writing routine that fits your schedule and energy levels.Consistency is crucial in fast drafting, so allocate dedicated time each day to focus on your writing (15mins, 30mins or an hour).Minimize distractions during your writing sessions to maximize productivity.Try word sprints: (finding that buddy really helps. I know mine really helped)Word sprints involve setting a specific time (e.g., 15, 30, or 60 minutes) and challenging yourself to write as much as possible during that period.Engaging in word sprints can boost your writing speed and help you overcome mental blocks.Find a writing community/buddy or use online tools that offer word sprint challenges for added motivation. (Easy and achievable – Set a timer with your phone).Use placeholders if you must:If you get stuck on a particular scene or can’t find the right words, use placeholders like [INSERT DESCRIPTION HERE] (I usually put an asterisk sign * and move on. I will use the search function, to go back later to edit).The goal is to keep the momentum going during the drafting phase, and you can come back later to refine or fill in the gaps.Don’t let perfectionism hinder your progress; focus on completing the draft first.By incorporating these tips into your fast drafting process, you can enhance your productivity, meet deadlines, and successfully navigate the challenges of writing a novella within a condensed timeframe.
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If you’re interested in checking out my story, here’s the link to my story on Wattpad : Oxy-Gen
March 18, 2024
ONC 2024 : 8.2
Three-Point Outline
For character outlines, I prefer creating small tables, keeping it simple with one column for identity/names and another for a short description. This aids me in recalling specific details about my characters, including their personalities, age, or quirks, providing a quick reference while writing. Additionally, it helps me identify any duplicate personalities.
And example for this (based on the previous example of the flying girl):
When it comes to setting, it varies depending on the writer. Some opt for a fantasy/sci-fi world, while others stick to the present or create a blend of historical fiction. One piece of advice, especially for beginners, is to choose a setting you’re familiar with. Given the deadline in ONC, it’s beneficial to write within a setting you know well, allowing you to focus on the story rather than struggling with an unfamiliar environment. However, without a deadline, you have the flexibility to take your time and craft a world that aligns with your creative vision.
Overall, having at least these three elements ready would help tremendously in your writing and prevent writer’s block. It will ensure your story is coherent, cohesive, and has an arc that judges will love.
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If you’re interested in checking out my story, here’s the link to my story on Wattpad : Oxy-Gen
ONC 2024 (OXY-GEN)
Book cover with Pinterest Pics (Not mine) (Edits and Compilation is done by myself)Few Updates
1. Cover Reveal ! Since the idea becomes more solid as I write, I have changed and finally settled on this cover. I want to depict a variety of people who are turning into plants on the cover of the story. The conflict of humanity, the relentless struggles, and hunt for Oxy-Gen.
2. Happy to announce that Oxy-Gen got into the Round One Qualifiers ! Yay!
Let’s get the momentum running.
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Other information:
Prompt used for Open Novella Contest (ONC) 2024:-
Prompt 52: “And that is how that world was lost and a new one, our world, was born.”
You can follow my progress/chapters on Wattpad. Below is the link:
https://www.wattpad.com/story/361923458-oxy-gen
Summary:
Plants became scarce and we become modified non-humans called Oxy. Could we still hold onto humanity when we are dying? Will you contribute to the society?
Be selfish or selfless?
What is the answer? N/a
Maybe you could answer them, once you finish reading this story.
Happy Reading!
