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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How to Unlock Your Secret Writing Instincts to Fix a Story That Doesn’t Feel Right 4 days, 5 hours ago
You’re revising a scene when a vague, restless feeling creeps into your gut. Somewhere, somehow your manuscript has taken a wrong turn. You see this as clearly as if a warning sign suddenly appeared in the m […]
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Surprise Readers with Your Story’s Theme 1 week, 4 days ago
So do I, man. So do I. I’m hopping I’ll be skilled enough one day to hide a theme like Patrick Ness does. It’s my favorite thing to experience as a reader.
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Overcome the Two Types of Long-Term Writer’s Block 1 week, 4 days ago
Hey Emily,
These versions of writer’s block are the absolute worst, but they’re a natural (if unpleasant) part of the process. I hope you find a breakthrough soon (and can stay patient with yourself in the meanwhile).
Blessings,
Gabrielle
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Overcome the Two Types of Long-Term Writer’s Block 1 week, 4 days ago
Dear Joelle,
I 100% agree. Peterson is my hero.
The struggle is real. It’s crazy how tempting lighters look when the going gets rough XD. I’m glad this article helped you!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Overcome the Two Types of Long-Term Writer’s Block 1 week, 4 days ago
Hey Glynis!
Bird by Bird is fantastic food for the muse! I’m happy to meet another fan.
I’m glad this article came at the right time for you. I know how rough dry spells are, but they also tend to come with growth. At the same time, I hope yours ends soon! Keep your head up, and I wish you the best of luck as you try to press on.
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How to Overcome the Two Types of Long-Term Writer’s Block 3 weeks, 1 day ago
I recently taught a class of sixth graders about the elements of story. After I finished the bulk of my presentation, I opened the floor for questions. A kid in the back raised his hand. “Have you ever had w […]
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Ooh, I love Adorning the Dark (and the Wingfeather Saga. And Wingfeather Tales. And anything Andrew Peterson).
Great article, Ms. Pollack! I definitely am struggling with writer’s block and the incessant longing to pull out a lighter (or find the delete button) and get rid of my story once and for all. XD This is very helpful, thank you!!-
Dear Joelle,
I 100% agree. Peterson is my hero.
The struggle is real. It’s crazy how tempting lighters look when the going gets rough XD. I’m glad this article helped you!
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Hey Glynis!
Bird by Bird is fantastic food for the muse! I’m happy to meet another fan.
I’m glad this article came at the right time for you. I know how rough dry spells are, but they also tend to come with growth. At the same time, I hope yours ends soon! Keep your head up, and I wish you the best of luck as you try to press on.
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Hey Emily,
These versions of writer’s block are the absolute worst, but they’re a natural (if unpleasant) part of the process. I hope you find a breakthrough soon (and can stay patient with yourself in the meanwhile).
Blessings,
Gabrielle
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How to Surprise Readers with Your Story’s Theme 1 month, 2 weeks ago
If readers can predict a story’s moral, it’s more likely to disengage them than it is to influence them. This presents us with an imposing ultimatum: either spring a message on readers unexpectedly, or leave them […]
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I love point 2
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So do I, man. So do I. I’m hopping I’ll be skilled enough one day to hide a theme like Patrick Ness does. It’s my favorite thing to experience as a reader.
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How to Write Character Interactions That Scream Authenticity 2 months, 1 week ago
The newest character who’s taken up residence inside your mind is a vibrant being with compelling desires and deep emotions. But the instant you pluck him out and flatten him onto a page, he becomes limper than w […]
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How Should Christian Authors Portray Bittersweet Endings? 4 months, 3 weeks ago
I agree with you there. Dismal situations make hope shine all the brighter in stories.
Setting out to write a good ending, whether it be bittersweet or not, is a great place to start. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How Should Christian Authors Portray Bittersweet Endings? 4 months, 3 weeks ago
I know I had fun writing out my thoughts on this topic, and I’m so glad they resonated with you. Thanks for reading!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How Should Christian Authors Portray Bittersweet Endings? 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Sad stories can be a drag if they don’t have anything meaningful to say. I don’t usually like sad stories myself, but sometimes the right one comes along and blows me away. Thanks for reading!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How Should Christian Authors Portray Bittersweet Endings? 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Thanks Zachary! And thank you for taking the time to read them.
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How Should Christian Authors Portray Bittersweet Endings? 4 months, 3 weeks ago
I need to read A Tale of Two Cities. I’ve heard good things about it. Thanks for reading, Isabelle!
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How Should Christian Authors Portray Bittersweet Endings? 5 months ago
Editor’s Note: This article is the final installment in our four-part series on how to balance darkness and hope in fiction. To learn why we did this series and how we approached the topics, read our i […]
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Sad ENDINGS. Sorry about that second sentence.The error makes it a bittersweet post for me.
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Great article. I have always been disappointed in stories with bittersweet or sad stories, but the way you spelled it out made me appreciate those stories more. Well done!
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Sad stories can be a drag if they don’t have anything meaningful to say. I don’t usually like sad stories myself, but sometimes the right one comes along and blows me away. Thanks for reading!
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Thanks guys for this series! It’s been really thought-provoking. I’ve been thinking about ways an implicit Christian story can still point back towards God and glorify Him (especially when it’s ending is bittersweet). I think you best summed it up with this paragraph:
“However, simply pouring darkness into our fictional worlds won’t change how anyone lives in the real one…. But watching characters struggle is cathartic….once we see our flaws in vivid color, we have a shot at transformation.
This process is marked with the fingerprints of the gospel, for only by discovering our sins and fears can we recognize our need for a Savior whose resurrection offers forgiveness and peace.”Thanks so much for this.
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I know I had fun writing out my thoughts on this topic, and I’m so glad they resonated with you. Thanks for reading!
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Good post, Gabby!
I think my favorite bittersweet endings are the Wingfeather Saga, Lord of the Rings, and Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIHM.
Things don’t end well for the characters, but still, there’s an undeniable sense of hope. I think the hope is stronger for the pain it’s mixed with.
I don’t think I’ve ever thought directly about writing bittersweet endings, I just want to write good endings, be they bittersweet or not.
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I agree with you there. Dismal situations make hope shine all the brighter in stories.
Setting out to write a good ending, whether it be bittersweet or not, is a great place to start. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
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I need to read A Tale of Two Cities. I’ve heard good things about it. Thanks for reading, Isabelle!
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Thanks Zachary! And thank you for taking the time to read them.
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How to Create an Immersive Story World That’s More Than Window Dressing 7 months, 1 week ago
Numerous books, blog posts, and worksheets claim that filling in hundreds of categories makes a story world complete. But without a goal at the center, your brainstorming will lack direction, and the details you […]
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, 3 Lies about Stylistic Editing (and Why They Hurt Your Writing) 9 months, 2 weeks ago
So do I! It’s so easy to try editing your story into perfect shape without thinking other factors. Thanks for reading, Lily!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Write Happy Endings That Don’t Feel Contrived 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Thanks! I understand that. I love bittersweet stories, but sometimes I don’t want my books to be that sad.
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How to Write Happy Endings That Don’t Feel Contrived 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Happy endings resound with hope, reminding us of God’s ultimate triumph over evil. As we turn the last page, we feel homesick for the moment when He’ll wipe away all our tears and usher in the new heavens and new […]
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Thanks! I understand that. I love bittersweet stories, but sometimes I don’t want my books to be that sad.
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Thanks Gabrielle. I like stories that end with hope, but are also realistic and sometimes bittersweet.
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Evoke Humor, Tension, and Sorrow with Dramatic Irony 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Thanks Eliza! 😀 This is one of my favorite concepts, and I had a blast geeking out over it.
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How to Evoke Humor, Tension, and Sorrow with Dramatic Irony 10 months ago
Writers are lovers of drama. Hit us with a fast-paced shoot-out, a heart-rending rejection, or a tragic death scene, and we’re as happy as larks. Because conflict excites readers, we shove as much of it into our b […]
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Thanks Eliza! 😀 This is one of my favorite concepts, and I had a blast geeking out over it.
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AHA!!! Just the article I needed!! *glances at messy messy MESSY first draft* *smiles* THOU SHALT BE DEFEATED!
(I’m totally NOT hyper right now. XD)
Thank you for spending time on this helpful article, Ms. Pollack!! 😀