by Cathy Yardley | Craft
Being specific. I read a well-loved book (and I enjoyed it, too, don’t get me wrong) but I discovered that the reason there were jarring elements was that she’d intended for the story to take place, believably, “anywhere.” It’s set in the U.S., or at least...
by Cathy Yardley | Craft
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...
by Cathy Yardley | Craft
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....
by Cathy Yardley | Craft
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...
by Cathy Yardley | Craft
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...
by Cathy Yardley | Craft
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....
