Okay, so I’ve been talking to a lot of people who are discouraged with writing and the industry right now. I get it: it’s not a great time for authors. So let’s make today’s #TenTweets about WHY WE KEEP GOING. Follow the hashtag to collect them all! #TenReasonsToKeepWriting
1. Because writing isn’t just about making money (though it’s nice when that happens). It’s also good for your mental health. And it’s cheaper than therapy. #TenReasonsToKeepWriting
2. Because writing impacts on your daily life and your interactions with others, making connections and building empathy. #tenReasonsToKeepWriting
6. Because writing connects us with others, crossing borders and continents; teaching us that we have far more in common matters more than what makes us different. #TenReasonsToKeepWriting
7. Because, whatever your profession, writing improves your articulacy and your communication skills. #TenReasonsToKeepWriting
10. Because if even one person is moved by your words, or is changed, or is taught, or is cheered, or is saved, then you did something miraculous. #TenReasonsToKeepWriting
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1. The original prompt was about the hero's descent into villainy. I'm not sure a hero ever really becomes a villain as such, because those roles are so clearly defined and in opposition to each other, but the Hero's Descent is certainly a Thing. #FlawedHeroes
2. We see its origins in Classical tragedy, and beyond. A character who is basically good and noble is destroyed by their One Fatal Flaw. As readers we relate to this very well, because no-one believes or is interested in a perfect protagonist. #FlawedHeroes
1. Depicting a character's feelings in fiction - be it grief, or anger, or happiness - can be a minefield of clichés. I mean, how often can you say: "She smiled", or "His eyes filled with tears"? #TenWaysToExpressFeelings
2. And although "show, don't tell" isn't always good advice, sometimes you do need to have one character assess another's feelings via what they observe. So, what do you do to make that observation feel authentic and fresh? #TenWaysToExpressFeelings
1. Broadly speaking, there are two types of character in fiction: flat and round. Flat characters exist to serve the plot, and we generally don't need to know much about them. Round characters are more developed, and tend to be your main players. #TenWaysToWriteRoundedCharacters
2. A very easy way to tell the difference is this: Flat characters don't change. Round ones are changed by their participation in your story, and by their interactions with others. The more they change on their journey, the more developed they are.#TenWaysToWriteRoundedCharacters
Cup of tea; time to kill. You know what that means; #Storytime.
There is a story the bees used to tell, which makes it hard to disbelieve. #Storytime
A woman was going to market. As always, she took her own carriage, adorned with her ancient family crest, and lined with scarlet cushions and curtains of matching velvet. #Storytime
Sunday lunchtime; cup of tea. You know what that means, Twitter. #Storytime.
New followers, to explain; #storytime. In which I write a story from scratch, live and unprepared, on Twitter. And it always starts like this: "There is a story the bees used to tell, which makes it hard to disbelieve..."
An opera singer of great renown fell sick and died at the height of her fame. #Storytime
Reminder to anyone who needs it today: the 50s weren't a golden age, and the people who tell you it was aren't remotely on your side.
The advertising of a time is a direct line into its dreams and desires. Here we see white men in charge; white women subservient, and POC and LGBT people, not at all. Some men never gave up this dream. This is the world they want for us.
My childhood was the Seventies. This was what advertising was then. Now the sexism is in colour, but it hasn't really changed much...