There's no doubt about the fact that dialogue can make or break a story. There have been times when my brain hasn't been working properly when reading, and I have found myself subconsciously and inadvertently drifting towards the dialogue, often it being so much more tantalising to read than the meticulous descriptions and atmosphere building. … Continue reading Ten lateral (And five practical) tips on writing interesting dialogue
Drugs and art have a complicated ebb and flow within our society. Drugs in the mainstream are, of course, a massive taboo for a variety of reasons. Ranging from legal alcohol to soft drugs like cannabis, and then to the potentially devastating likes of crystal meth and heroin. All of which serve their purpose as … Continue reading Narcotics vs Art
The following is a horror story based on a dream I had when I was 12 or 13, mature content warning. The sky was pitch black. A canopy of smoke reached towards the desolate heaven above, towering over a crimson pitch. The city was burning. Alfie watched from his bedroom window, watching the smoke drift … Continue reading Weird Dreams Vol 3- The Smoke and the Fear
"A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom. He has no master except his own soul, and that, I am sure, is why he does it." The above quote is by children's author Roald Dahl, and while I don't respect the man's character for his 'alleged' anti-Semitism, racism … Continue reading Limitations are an imagination’s best friend
This is a continuation of my DnD series. As always, quick disclaimer that we are not purists for the rules and that some fluff has been removed for clarity! The first chapter is here and the previous is here. The three figures emerged from the rapidly darkening woods and onto the fields that stretched towards … Continue reading My Family plays DnD- Chapter 2- The Casket
Tuesdays are the worst. I know everyone gives Mondays shit, because of a cartoon cat and the fact we’re still coming down from the weekend high, but Tuesdays are the real deal, the puppeteers behind true misery. It’s a day that feels the furthest away from either side of the weekend, a culmination of everything … Continue reading A Single singularity- Short Story
In a very cloudy, muddled city, there was one street that was always sunny. All except one patch right at the end, where it was almost always overcast. The street was full of the rich and the elite, the so-called 'hardest workers' in the entirety of The City. They let the sun reign over the … Continue reading Turn like the weather-Short Story
In the world of writers who compete against each other to see who is the best one-upping one another in pure pretentiousness, there is one constant debate that always rages on: Which is better, planning or pantsing? To elaborate, planning and pantsing are typically seen as two different, informal techniques to novel writing. Plotting is … Continue reading Planning vs pantsing: and why neither are right
As I write this, we are in the midst of the Covid-crisis, and a large percentage of the entire world is confined to their houses, forbidden to leave. We are in a time of uncertainty, and death, and yet, there is light. There are many people suffering right now, and my heart will always go … Continue reading Interesting vs realistic characters
Break down a character to it's very metaphorical skeleton, and have a look at their purpose. They exist as a conduit, an avatar for the audience to experience a created world through fresh eyes. They are beings with pasts, personalities and hidden traits designed for the audience to connect with and recognise as a story … Continue reading Locations as characters
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