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Allison Raymond wrote a new post, How to Write Humorous Stories (Even When You’re Not a Funny Person) 1 month, 1 week ago
Everyone enjoys turning red in the face and struggling to breathe for a few seconds after a hilarious experience. Laughter lightens your mood, reduces stress, and even improves your immune system. On a relational […]
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Allison Raymond wrote a new post, How to Enhance Your Plot with Character Objectives 1 month, 4 weeks ago
A little over a year ago, I signed up for a theater class. Most of the lessons focused on the techniques actors use to learn about the roles they’re portraying, which involves much more than memorizing a script. B […]
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Allison Raymond wrote a new post, How to Fix 4 Common Plot Holes That Destroy Story Plausibility 3 months, 4 weeks ago
After I finished the draft of my first full-length novel, I eagerly sent a copy to a friend for feedback. Much to my dismay, she flagged one of the most important scenes: an argument between two of the […]
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Thank you Allison!
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“Don’t despair. Carry a large shovel….” That is so becoming a quote on my wall. XD
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So good! I will be using these tips in my editing! Definitely a life saver for my rough drafts (and other drafts, too).
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Allison Raymond wrote a new post, 2 Ways to Approach Your Theme (and One You Should Avoid) 4 months ago
Theme is a hot topic among writers. From elementary school to university courses, teachers ask students to identify the messages that literature tries to communicate. Writing blogs discuss how to incorporate and […]
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Thank you for the tips! Ironically, I am a die hard planner but more of an organic theme creater. I’ll have a vague idea at the beginning of what my theme is, but it takes the first draft to zero in on it
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Allison Raymond wrote a new post, 5 Guidelines to Consider When Portraying Mental Illness 5 months, 1 week ago
According to the CDC, more than 50 percent of people are diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder in their lifetime. But the suffering human beings those numbers refer to are so much more than statistics. I’m p […]
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Thank you for this!!! It’s a question I’ve been wondering about and some of your points really helped me!!
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Allison Raymond wrote a new post, How to Write Realistic Character Dialects (without Overdoing It) 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Back in high school, my etymology teacher allowed us to spend several weeks researching any language-related question we chose as our final project for the semester. I wanted my characters to be as lifelike as […]
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Allison Raymond wrote a new post, 3 Questions to Maintain Story Momentum When You’re Out of Ideas 6 months, 3 weeks ago
The first time I set out to write a novel, I ground to a stop on the twenty-ninth page. A year later, I decided to toy with a different premise. That time, I reached sixty-two pages before I hit a blank I […]
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Excellent article on the most feared enemy of all writers, Miss Raymond! 😀
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Allison Raymond wrote a new post, How One New Way of Perceiving Life Can Stimulate Your Writing 8 months, 4 weeks ago
In high school, my creative writing teacher assigned an activity where each of us students had to go to a different section of the building and record everything we observed. But we weren’t supposed to blandly l […]
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This is so good, Allison.
I think one of the most fascinating things about all great authors is their understanding of humanity, in all it’s details. How they blow us away with their characters is their knowledge of what it takes, and what it means, to be human.
I find that for myself, I’ve started to look to my friends and family to help me grasp what motivates real people. What makes them glow, what makes them sad, what they notice, and why they notice it.
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I love these tips! They’re so helpful and fun–you took some of what I’m already doing and demonstrate how to bring it to the next level.
Thank you for writing this, Allison. 🙂
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Allison Raymond wrote a new post, 3 Questions to Ask to Bring Stagnant Side Characters to Life 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Characters are like a magnetic force that either pulls readers into the story or repels them. If they can identify with the cast, they’ll be more forgiving of other mistakes. But even a riveting plot, intriguing s […]
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Allison Raymond commented on the post, 5 Ways Insecure Writers Can Build the Confidence to Be Creative 10 months, 2 weeks ago
You’re welcome!
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Allison Raymond commented on the post, 5 Ways Insecure Writers Can Build the Confidence to Be Creative 10 months, 2 weeks ago
That makes two of us, then!
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Allison Raymond commented on the post, 5 Ways Insecure Writers Can Build the Confidence to Be Creative 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Thank you! I’m glad you found the article helpful!
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Allison Raymond wrote a new post, 5 Ways Insecure Writers Can Build the Confidence to Be Creative 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Everyone questions their worth at one point or another—but especially those of us in creative industries, such as writing, because we face so much rejection.
Whenever we prepare to share a story with ot […]
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Perfect timing to read this article today as I was on a “slump” and throwing myself a pity-party reading the 1st draft of my mystery story (not my comfort zone) and freaking out. Thank you! Thank you!
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Thank you! I’m glad you found the article helpful!
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Ooh, excellent article. Yep, I could definitely work on this… 🙂
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That makes two of us, then!
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Thank you, this article has been a great blessing!
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You’re welcome!
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Nice job on your article! Simple and practical.
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This is so practical and encouraging! I struggle with insecurity and discouragement a lot with my writing, so this is so helpful.
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Allison Raymond wrote a new post, How to Showcase Light in a Story’s Darkest Moment 12 months ago
A non-writer friend once told me that I seem to enjoy making my characters suffer. I disagree. Sure, portraying pain can be an exciting challenge, but I don’t relish putting my characters through trials. If t […]
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Allison Raymond wrote a new post, How to Breathe New Life into Stereotyped Settings 1 year, 1 month ago
When you think of fantasy, what surroundings come to mind?
If you’re like me, you probably imagine a dense forest with a spired castle or leering dragon in the background. A knight in full armor gallops th […]
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These are all great ideas, thanks for this article! I especially enjoy the genre-swapping settings. One of my favourite TV shows is called Mystery Road and it’s essentially a Sherlock Holmes style mystery set in the Australian outback with a lot of the cliches that are usually associated with American westerns.
I love the focus on small tweaks over massive overhauls. So good 🙂 -
This is so helpful! I’m writing a medieval fantasy, so I this post gives me some ideas on how to change it up a bit to make it more original.
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I gotta say that The Wingfeather Saga is one of the funniest books out there. So. I think that’s it. XD
Awesome post, Allison! I love how you focus on so many different types of comedy. I often find myself stuck on only one or two.
“The early bird gets a caffeine addiction.”
Couldn’t help but crack a smile at that one XD
I also love The Hero’s Guide To Saving Your Kingdom. Christopher Healy’s opening lines just makes you bowl over with laughter!