Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Ever watched the old Batman TV show? 

Whenever the Dynamic Duo got stuck in a life-or-death bind, somehow they found a way out with their Batweapons. 

A Batarang, anyone? How ‘bout the Batknife? Or even better yet, maybe the shark repellent Batspray (true, look it up).

As a writer, sometimes you’ll write yourself into a corner. Yes, one of those dreaded dead ends where all creativity goes to die.

Take a breath and think good thoughts. You’re gonna live through it because you have access to some amazing writer “Batweapons.” 

Here are a few:

Change the POV
Switch the perspective to another character. 

Write a dialogue-only scene
Focus solely on conversations. 

Work backward
Start from the end of the scene and work your way backward. 

Set a timer
Give yourself 10 or 15 minutes and write non-stop. 

Skip ahead
Move on to the next chapter that you’re excited about writing. 

Change the setting
If the scene feels stale, switch up the location or time of day. 

Start some conflict
Conflict is what makes people turn pages. 

Revisit character goals and obstacles
Clarifying these elements can provide a clear road ahead.

Freewrite backstory
Understanding more about character motivations and histories often provides a spark.

Ask “What if?”
Pose different “What if?” questions about the scene — sometimes the crazier, the better.

Put these tools into your Batbelt and, just like the caped crusaders, you can live to see another day.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“If you get stuck, get away from your desk. Take a walk, take a bath, go to sleep, make a pie, draw, listen to music, meditate, exercise; whatever you do, don’t just stick there scowling at the problem.”

— Hilary Mantel

“Show up, show up, show up, and after a while, the muse shows up, too.”

— Isabel Allende

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3 Writing Questions

1. How does writing a dialogue-only scene help to move a story forward?

2. How does working backward from the end of a chapter provide clarity or new ideas when you’re stuck?

3. Why is conflict so powerful in stories?

A teen flees her secluded town, only to stumble into shocking events unfolding across the mountains.

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.

Photo courtesy of Zdeněk Macháček @zmachacek

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Great authors have a knack for crafting dialogue, but let’s be real—it’s trickier than it looks.

Want a secret to make your dialogue sizzle?

Have your characters argue. 

When you fill conversations with tension, misunderstandings, and hidden agendas, your readers will devour every word.

Why? We all like to eavesdrop on juicy drama.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“Tension on a tightly suspended cable is what holds up the bridge… and it’s what makes a good novel or a good life.”

— Unknown

“Dialogue is not just words on a page, it’s the emotional tension between characters.”

— Unknown

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3 Writing Questions

1. What are some common pitfalls writers face when creating dialogue?

2. How can writers ensure that tension in dialogue remains engaging without becoming repetitive or predictable?

3. How does the setting of a conversation influence the way arguments unfold between characters?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Here’s a quick trick for developing a character. Ask yourself: if they were to carry a purse or a bag, what would be inside?

Maybe it’s lipstick. Or credit cards. But push it deeper….

What about?

A miniature harmonica
A pair of antique opera glasses
A book of poetry
A set of lock-picking tools
An opened condom pack
A set of foreign coins
A foldable boomerang
A spy pen with invisible ink
A fossilized shark tooth
A tiny brass telescope

You get the idea.

Throw one of those bad boys in there and suddenly you’ve got an interesting character.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“Respect your characters, even the minor ones. In art, as in life, everyone is the hero of their own particular story.
”

— Sarah Waters

“It’s the characters. That’s what I spend most of my time with. Once I’ve done that, character will speak to plot and story.
”

— Craig Borten

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3 Writing Questions

1. What do your characters want in the story? What are they searching for? 

2. What is standing in their way, and what are they willing to do to remove the obstacles?

3. How do your characters respond to failure, stress, and other emotional situations?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

As a writer, you’re not alone in your frustration with perfectionism. It’s a real problem for most of us who put “pen to paper.” I know, it stinks.

Here’s the secret: when you truly understand your target market, it changes the way you write. If your audience loves $10 words, then write $10 words. But if your readers prefer lean language ($1 words), then give ‘em those dollar specials.

Once you get inside the head of your target reader, the right words flow much easier.

And while we’re at it… save the heavy editing for when you’ve completely finished your first draft. Yes, your draft will be sandpaper rough. But that’s okay.

Let all your ideas flow onto the page using the creative side of your brain, then do your spelling/grammar/structure corrections by using the analytical side of your brain.

When you’re writing/creating, sometimes you must command the analytical side: “Stop! It’s not time for you yet!”

Trying to do both at the same time is like trying to clean a dog that’s rolling in the mud. Good luck with that.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“I think I did pretty well, considering I started out with nothing but a bunch of blank paper.”

— Steve Martin

“You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke. ”

— Arthur Plotnik

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3 Writing Questions

1. How do you determine target audience preferences, especially with choice of language?

2. What strategies help your ideas flow freely during the initial stages of writing?

3. Have you ever edited too early in the writing process? How did it affect your work?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

The big idea: watch out for the “weasel words” in your manuscript.

What are weasel words? Words that clutter your manuscript and/or words you repeat without realizing it.

• Weasel words show a lack of focus and may point to a narrative needing more work
  (Two main culprits: “That” and “It” — but there are plenty more: see my list of common weasel words)

• For most situations, choose active voice over passive voice
  (Passive: The dog was hugged by Suzy; Active: Suzy hugged the dog)

• Consider removing adjectives, especially the weak ones
  (Weak examples: Awesome; Good/Terrible; Big/Small; Pretty/Ugly; Tall/Short; Young/Old; Beautiful)

• Avoid the obvious phrases
  (“He clapped his hands”; “She sat in the chair”; “They stood to their feet”)

• Adverbs usually aren’t your friends
  (“I’m pregnant!” she shouted excitedly.)

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“If a novel is 100,000 words and is 99.9 percent perfect, it still contains 100 errors.”

— Alton Gansky

“Writing without revising is the literary equivalent of waltzing gaily out of the house in your underwear.”

— Patricia Fuller

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3 Writing Questions

1. What words or phrases do you repeat the most?

2. What are some exceptions to using passive voice over active voice?

3. How do you know which adjectives and adverbs to keep or lose?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.