THE RYW Blog
WRITING, SELLING, AND BALANCING YOUR LIFE
Why systems are better than habits.
Cluttered desk syndrome I have ADHD. Even with meds, keeping my environment tidy is a challenge at best. Ironically, I feel intense relief when I have a “clean" desk. I'm just not built to automatically maintain one. Here's what happens: I’ll get ready for the...
How to write more effectively.
Do you know your writing process? A lot of writers study either story structure on a macro level, or wordsmithing on a micro level, in order to improve their writing. I wholeheartedly endorse both endeavors. But what I’ve found interesting is how very few...
4 screenwriting tips that will instantly improve your novel.
I have recently started screenwriting, and let me tell you, it has been a shock. The basic principles remain the same. If anything, they are even more important because the structure of the story – the GMC, the plot points –give a film its structure and focus....
How to make riveting dialogue scenes.
Sometimes, the scene you're writing focuses on an exchange between characters: maybe witty banter, tense negotiation, subtle questioning, some necessary information. Whatever it is, the emphasis is on the dialogue. Unfortunately, even if you've planned the...
How to Beat Imposter Syndrome.
How do you beat Imposter Syndrome? Ever feel like you’re not good enough as a writer, and worse, that perhaps you’ll never be good enough? Almost every writer I know has had Imposter Syndrome: the depressing, anxiety-inducing feeling that I’m going to refer to...
How to Fix your Plot Twists.
The problem with plot twists. Honestly, personally, I have no problem with plot twists. I used be glued to the TV when they ran Twilight Zone marathons on the odd holiday weekend. I watched The Sixth Sense and was blindsided by the ending. Now, in a world where...
How to Write More Natural Dialogue
How do you write natural sounding dialogue? Here are two examples of dialogue: “If I see you again, Mr. Anderson, I promise that the outcome will be far less civil… and you will regret it.” “Get outta here, Jack. Because next time I see you, I swear, I’m...
How to Write Better Villains
Build a better villain! If you’re writing a story with a “villain” – a true antagonist, someone whose goal is ultimately to prevent the protagonist from achieving their goal, either directly or indirectly – then you need to create a villain worth of the role....
How to Find Your Right Readers, Part 3
Finding your Right Readers, part 3... the nitty gritty. You know your brand: what you consistently bring to the table, the intersection of what you love, and what you do well. You also know your Right Readers: the context of where to best find them (genre,...