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....
by Cathy Yardley | Craft
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,...
