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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How to Create an Immersive Story World that’s More than Window Dressing 1 month, 2 weeks 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) 3 months, 3 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 3 months, 3 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 3 months, 4 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 4 months 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 4 months, 1 week 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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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, What The Promise of Jesse Woods Teaches Writers about Character Development 5 months ago
You’ve got this, Olivia! It’s a lot of work, but it’s totally worth it. 🙂
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, What The Promise of Jesse Woods Teaches Writers about Character Development 5 months ago
Awesome! I’m glad the article has given you some ideas. Making characters believable (and non-preachy) is a challenge, so I wish you the best of luck!
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, What The Promise of Jesse Woods Teaches Writers about Character Development 5 months ago
Editor’s Note: This is the second part of our series exploring the merits of The Promise of Jesse Woods by Chris Fabry. You can read the first installment here. Beware that this article and its companions will c […]
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That was a really good article! I’m an amateur at writing, and what you said here about not just proclaiming your character’s mistakes outright is wonderful advice!
Now I just have to put it into practice. *Shudders at the thought of all the work ahead* But I guess it must be done. *Sighs heavily*-
You’ve got this, Olivia! It’s a lot of work, but it’s totally worth it. 🙂
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Awesome! I’m glad the article has given you some ideas. Making characters believable (and non-preachy) is a challenge, so I wish you the best of luck!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, To Be Feared 5 months ago
Thanks Ethan! The scheming writer side of me is glad the ending surprised you XD.
*high five to a fellow INFP writer/dark story reader*
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, Why Realistic Motives Alone Don’t Create Believable Villains 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Aw thanks! I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, Enliven Your Story’s Descriptions by Infusing Them with Character 5 months, 2 weeks ago
That’s awesome! I’m glad it helped you guys. 🙂
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Show Character Development in Fast-Paced Stories 5 months, 2 weeks ago
I’m so glad it helped!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Show Character Development in Fast-Paced Stories 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Awesome! Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Show Character Development in Fast-Paced Stories 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Inkspiller,
That’s a great question (and a great concept for a future article)! For me, it all comes down to consequences. Happy endings have a cost. When our character follows his lie, he’ll hurt other characters along the way. Even when he turns to the truth, the consequences of his past way of life will follow him.
But that topic is big…[Read more]
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Show Character Development in Fast-Paced Stories 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Zachary,
It’s just an elaborate example, though it sounds like a cool concept. Maybe I’ll take a crack at it someday. 😅
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How to Show Character Development in Fast-Paced Stories 6 months, 1 week ago
When you think about fast-paced stories, what comes to mind? Cliffhangers that keep you awake late at night, turning pages so quickly that you get paper cuts? Or anemic character arcs and half-hearted […]
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Ok, now I’m curious: is that an actual book? Or one of the many unfinished ideas that flow abundantly from an author’s brain?
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Yeah…
Seconding this. That honestly sounds like a very intriguing plot (or should I say character?) – and one that hints at being far more developed than what we can plainly see.
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I want to believe that this story (that may or may not exist) can have a happy ending for both fairies and men. My inner cynic expects a bittersweet victory, but if you thought it out this much for a technique article, I’m sure you can manage a convincing happy ending.Actually, that’s a good question (maybe for the next article) – how does one write a happy ending that doesn’t feel false or contrived? How do we satisfy poetic justice while trying to give our audience a genuinely happy ending (i.e., not killing their [our] favorite characters who really probably should die… unfortunately…)?
This is something I’m struggling with in my current WIP – moreso in the long term, as opposed to the stories I’m trying to finish right now. -
Zachary,
It’s just an elaborate example, though it sounds like a cool concept. Maybe I’ll take a crack at it someday. 😅
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Inkspiller,
That’s a great question (and a great concept for a future article)! For me, it all comes down to consequences. Happy endings have a cost. When our character follows his lie, he’ll hurt other characters along the way. Even when he turns to the truth, the consequences of his past way of life will follow him.
But that topic is big enough for an entire article. Maybe I’ll tackle it sometime. Thanks for asking!
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Wow! This is incredible! What a masterful explanation of experiments in living and poetic justice! I have been having such a hard time with theme, and this is so helpful! Thank you, Gabrielle!
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I’m so glad it helped!
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Awesome! Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Create Villains Who Are Actually Intimidating 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Happy to help! Your villain sounds like she’s on the right path already. I bet she’s going to be awesome!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Create Villains Who Are Actually Intimidating 6 months, 2 weeks ago
That’s awesome! I’m glad my article could jump-start your imagination. 😀
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Gabrielle Pollack posted a new activity comment 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Thank you! And thanks for reading. 🙂
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