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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post 6 years 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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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Use the Low Point to Show Off Your Character's Development 6 years ago
Thanks so much! I’m glad you followed along even though my examples were unfamiliar. I’m so happy you’re thinking about how to apply this to your own story! That’s the highest compliment a reader could give an article writer. 🙂
And yes! Totally go read Fawkes! 😀
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, 2 Common Plot Holes (and How to Fix Them Before Writing Your First Draft) 6 years ago
Thanks, Traci! And thanks for reading. 🙂
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Use the Low Point to Show Off Your Character's Development 6 years, 2 months ago
That’s a nice coincidence! Third plot points can be incredibly hard when you’re right in the middle of them. Good luck!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Use the Low Point to Show Off Your Character's Development 6 years, 2 months ago
Thanks so much! Character arcs are one of my favorite things, too :D. (*morns for all the poor characters who have no arcs*).
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Use the Low Point to Show Off Your Character's Development 6 years, 2 months ago
Thanks for reading, Zachary! The nerd in me loves finding connections like that in fiction, and it’s a double bonus when I get to slip my discoveries into articles. I’m glad it gave you a new perspective on Edmund’s arc.
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post 6 years, 2 months ago
When you’re in the thick of writing, you’re pressured to perfectly structure your plots, ace your pacing, and polish your prose. Amid that chaos, character arcs can easily get lost.
You want readers to be touc […]
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“First-degree mentor murder isn’t universally effective” –> Ha! Yes, especially when so many have done it that it’s become cliched.
I never really thought about the connection between the murder-suicide and Edmond’s choices at the end novel. Thanks for pointing that out.
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Thanks for reading, Zachary! The nerd in me loves finding connections like that in fiction, and it’s a double bonus when I get to slip my discoveries into articles. I’m glad it gave you a new perspective on Edmund’s arc.
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This couldn’t have been more perfectly timed…I’m literally in the middle of writing my low point. Seeing how it will tie into victory is definitely my hardest thing right now, since everything’s broken loose at this point. So, thanks for this.
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That’s a nice coincidence! Third plot points can be incredibly hard when you’re right in the middle of them. Good luck!
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Thanks so much! Character arcs are one of my favorite things, too :D. (*morns for all the poor characters who have no arcs*).
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I love your last line. That’s the kind of suckerpunch you want to end on. This is an inspiring article! I didn’t relate to the examples you gave as thoroughly since I haven’t read the stories you used, but I still got the point and sort of followed along with my own characters and found myself asking how I could apply what you’ve said. Thank you for sharing. *really needs to go read Fawkes*
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Thanks so much! I’m glad you followed along even though my examples were unfamiliar. I’m so happy you’re thinking about how to apply this to your own story! That’s the highest compliment a reader could give an article writer. 🙂
And yes! Totally go read Fawkes! 😀
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, 2 Common Plot Holes (and How to Fix Them Before Writing Your First Draft) 6 years, 3 months ago
I’m glad you found it practical! I love weaving motivations into theme. It helps guide me when I flesh out my characters.
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post 6 years, 3 months ago
Plot holes are as dangerous to writers as the Joker is to Batman, Sauron is to Frodo, and Thanos is to the Avengers. Inconsistencies and improbabilities sneak into our manuscripts like nefarious villains, […]
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I’m glad you found it practical! I love weaving motivations into theme. It helps guide me when I flesh out my characters.
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Thanks, Traci! And thanks for reading. 🙂
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, 4 Myths about Outlining I Used to Believe as a Pantser 6 years, 3 months ago
I love this article, Rolena! You have some awesome insights, and I loved hearing a little bit more about your writing journey. 🙂
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, 3 Subtle Ways Fear Might Be Controlling Your Writing 6 years, 4 months ago
I’m glad this hits home for you. It’s hard to overcome that fear, but it’s worth it in the end. You’ve got this!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, 3 Subtle Ways Fear Might Be Controlling Your Writing 6 years, 4 months ago
Thanks for reading, Sage! Have courage, fellow warrior. 🙂
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post 6 years, 4 months ago
Fear is beneficial for the warrior. When the earth was younger, fear motivated people to fight lions and giants to protect themselves or loved ones. Today’s writers are no longer battling beasts with spears but b […]
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Were you writing this about me?? lol
Thanks a lot for this post, it’s what I’ve needed to hear lately.-
Thanks for reading, Sage! Have courage, fellow warrior. 🙂
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Wow, this is what I needed to hear today. In particular, I think fear has kept me from submitting my pieces outside my comfort zone. Thanks for encouraging us!
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I’m glad this hits home for you. It’s hard to overcome that fear, but it’s worth it in the end. You’ve got this!
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Gabrielle Pollack replied to the topic Who wants coaching? in the forum General Writing Discussions 6 years, 4 months ago
@daeus Ooo #2 might be just what I need to get my Ridgeline rewrite on the right track. Do you have a spot open?
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, The Door 6 years, 5 months ago
This is so beautiful, Sarah! I love the imagery. Thank you for sharing.
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, To Be Feared 6 years, 5 months ago
Thank you so much for your encouraging comment! 😀 I am honored. Creating the story was a struggle, so I’m happy it created such a strong experience for you.
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Gabrielle Pollack replied to the topic NaNoWriMo 2019: The Crazy Writers Corner in the forum General Writing Discussions 6 years, 6 months ago
Progress update: I got in at least 2,149 words yesterday (I think) and 2,015 today. 😀
Just for fun: I made some collages (inspired by @jenwriter17 ‘s epic aesthetics) for my main characters 😀
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Gabrielle Pollack replied to the topic NaNoWriMo 2019: The Crazy Writers Corner in the forum General Writing Discussions 6 years, 6 months ago
@quinn-ofallon You’ve got this. 😀
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Gabrielle Pollack replied to the topic NaNoWriMo 2019: The Crazy Writers Corner in the forum General Writing Discussions 6 years, 6 months ago
@corine Welcome! Sounds like an exciting project :D.
@evelyn I love all the different characters you have! I hope you find a way to put them all together. 😀
@jenwriter17 Welcome Jenna! 😀 Did Mari make that profile photo for you? Because I love it. <3
And your novel! *gasps* So fabulous. I’m loving the aesthetics, too.
@eden-anderson *Falls…[Read more]
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, 3 Unique Lessons Novelists Can Learn from Poets 6 years, 6 months ago
*throws glitter* IT’S HERE! You did such a grand job on this article, Cindy! 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
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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?
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.
…
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. 😅
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!
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!
I’m so glad it helped!
Awesome! Thanks for reading. 🙂