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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How to Use Worldbuilding to Deepen Your Plot 2 weeks, 2 days ago
Worldbuilding and plotting are two separate processes, right?
Wrong. Like every component of fiction, story world and plot are interlinked. Or rather, they can be. When you make the effort to use […]
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, 2 Skills to Master to Become a Top-Notch Critique Partner 3 months, 1 week ago
Somewhere along the road, every fiction writer will be asked to participate in a critique. It’s practically a guarantee.
Whether you’re new to critiquing or are already teamed up with an epic partner (who […]
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Thanks for sharing! I’m starting an editing and critique business soon and this was very helpful.
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, 3 Traits of an Unforgettable Antihero 4 months, 2 weeks ago
The Mandalorian. Artemis Fowl. Dustfinger. Kaz Brekker. These antiheroes and countless others have captured the imaginations of viewers, readers, and fangirls with such ferocity that traditional heroes struggle to […]
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You outdid yourself, Gabby. Excellent breakdown. Now I gotta go write an antihero or something.
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, 2 Compelling Ways to Weave Themes into Short Stories 5 months, 3 weeks ago
For years, short stories remained cloaked in mystery for me. I hadn’t the slightest idea how to write one, much less imbue a theme into it. I stumbled in the dark, creating tales and hoping themes would m […]
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(Popping in to say that I follow your blog and you should totally submit a story)
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Thanks so much for this article, Miss Pollack (amazing, as usual). I recently got a short story published (YAY) and was comparing it to this the whole time. SO. HELPFUL. Keep up the good work!! 😀
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How to Fix 3 Terrible Scenes 6 months, 1 week ago
Have you ever written a scene that you’re just not satisfied with, but you can’t put your finger on what’s wrong with it?
Perhaps the pacing inches along at the speed of a crippled snail, or the theme […]
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Create Villains Who Are Actually Intimidating 6 months, 1 week ago
That sounds like a fun story! I don’t envy the writing of it, though. It must be hard to keep everything straight!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Create Villains Who Are Actually Intimidating 6 months, 1 week ago
Yes! Those are my favorite types of villains, too. Every character, even a bad guy, deserves a solid personality. Thanks for reading!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Unlock Your Secret Writing Instincts to Fix a Story That Doesn’t Feel Right 6 months, 1 week ago
Yes! Go forth and conquer! Thanks for reading. 🙂
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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 6 months, 2 weeks 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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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!! 😀-
Yes! Go forth and conquer! Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Surprise Readers with Your Story’s Theme 6 months, 3 weeks 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 6 months, 3 weeks 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 6 months, 3 weeks 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 6 months, 3 weeks 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 7 months 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 8 months 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 8 months, 3 weeks 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? 11 months, 1 week 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? 11 months, 1 week 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? 11 months, 1 week 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? 11 months, 1 week ago
Thanks Zachary! And thank you for taking the time to read them.
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