TGIF, everyone! Sorry for another week of radio silence and erratic posting; deadlines for my portfolio and essay for grad school are coming up pretty quickly and it’s taking everything in me not to freak out. (Actually, I am freaking out, but that’s another story.) Anyway, this week is also my program’s discussion of Yiyun Li’s The Vagrants, and I think that one of the threads has brought up a very interesting topic: unlovable characters.
Unlovable characters are those whom you absolutely cannot love because they are despicable human beings. Most likely, they’re also mentally disturbed. Think pedophiles, psychopaths, and other deviants. These characters are perhaps the trickiest to write, especially if they aren’t clear-cut villains. To make them real people with real thoughts and emotions, someone with whom the reader can empathize a little without really loving or even liking them, takes a lot of imagination. As disturbing as it is, you have to put yourself in this character’s shoes and bring the good, the bad, and the ugly to your writing.
That’s why I want to focus on unlovable characters for this writing prompt.
The prompt, as always, is straightforward. Write a scene for a short story or novel from the perspective of an unlovable character. The scene must be written in first person. It can be for an existing WIP, something entirely new that you will pursue, or just a scene to flex your writing muscles. It doesn’t matter so long as it is in first person from the unlovable character’s POV.
The goal is to write an unlovable character who is still relatable and believable as a human being. It must also be clear that they are deviant and what kind of deviant they are. You must get into this person’s head and entirely understand them before writing this scene. Then, while you’re writing the scene, you must be careful to show the humanity in your character while allowing the reader to still hate them for what they do (or have done).
I know this sounds easy. In fact, it sounds like how you should approach any character. However, most of you will find this task…uncomfortable. After all, you’ll be diving into the mind of a deviant, someone whom I assume is not like you, someone whose acts disturb you. I have a hard time with it and should probably do this prompt myself. Still, if you can successfully create a well-rounded unlovable character, you should have few problems with writing other characters realistically.
Did you find this exercise helpful? Do you think it’s possible to write unlovable characters that still seem human? Or do the writer’s morals and bias interfere too much? Leave your thoughts and experiences with this exercise in the comments below!
I have some exciting news about an author whose work I have reviewed on this blog before, Luke G. Dahl. Dahl has just recently released a new book called Gangs of Stockholm, a true psychological thriller about a teenaged boy who becomes a member of one of Stockholm’s infamous gangs. In an exciting twist, Gangs of Stockholm has even been dubbed the #1 New Release in Amazon’s Teen & Young Adult Literary Biography eBooks category!
Eric is an ordinary boy with an ordinary life in Stockholm, Sweden. Then one day, a well-intended act of bravery leads him down a one-way road straight into Stockholm’s underworld. Seduced by the adrenaline and secrecy of gang life, it doesn’t take long for gang activity to become the driving force of Eric’s life. But what causes great excitement can also cause great pain–how will he survive it? Will he be able to keep his secret double-life from his family? And will Eric ever have to face the consequences of his choices?
Like Daddy’s Curse, this book is both heart-wrenching and compelling, most especially as it is based on real events. Eric is a very relatable character, and it’s hard to not feel for him when things begin to fall apart. Of course, I feel that there could be more to the story than what is told in this novel, but I suppose there’s only so much that can be done when a book is based on a true story.
Also, if you don’t like violence or can’t stomach it, you probably won’t want to read this. After all, it’s about gangs; there’s bound to be violence, and a lot of it. And if you don’t like emotional reads, this book isn’t for you, either. Eric is not only part of a gang but is also on the verge of adulthood; emotions run rampant, and there isn’t exactly such a thing as a “happy ending” in this world.
Regardless, if you like crime stories and coming-of-age novels, you’ll find Gangs of Stockholm to be very engaging and captivating.
You may have noticed another name on the Amazon page. Yes, I worked as editor for this novel and other works by Luke G. Dahl over the past few months. After I reviewed Daddy’s Curse, Dahl offered me some editing work in the revision of Daddy’s Curse and a couple of his other works. I am very grateful for this work, especially since I really enjoyed these stories and am glad to have been able to make them the best they could be.
In addition to the new book, one of Dahl’s other books, Daddy’s Curse, has just been named an Amazon bestseller in the Teen & Young Adult Literary Biography eBooks category.
Please join me in congratulating Luke G. Dahl in the comments below.
Do you have a new book coming out? Know of another small-print or indie author releasing some new work? Drop a line in the comments or e-mail me at thewritersscrapbin@gmail.com and I might announce it in a future post.
Happy Hump Day, my loyal followers! You’ve probably noticed that I haven’t posted in a few days once again. Well, this time I was helping one of my clients rewrite a script of theirs; I’m sure you can imagine how much time and energy that takes. (I like a good challenge.) It’s worth noting that this experience did introduce me to software which the screenwriters in the audience might want to know about: Final Draft.
Final Draft is the bestselling screenwriting software in the world. It’s used by studios such as BBC, Paramount, ABC, Disney, and Warner Bros. Testimonials for it come from writers of such movies and shows as Black Swan, Lost, Mad Men, and The Social Network. Needless to say, this software is popular. But what exactly is Final Draft?
Here are some basics about the software:
It provides over 100 templates for screenplays, teleplay, and stage plays;
Final Draft works on Windows, Macintosh, or on the Final Draft app for iPhone or iPad;
You can plan out acts, scenes, and sequences using Story Map;
You can collaborate with a writing partner in real-time;
The software formats your script to meet entertainment industry standards;
The software for the computer costs (Final Draft 10) costs $249.99, and the app (sold separately) costs $19.99.
You can learn more about the software and its costs on the company’s website.
Now, if you aren’t seriously considering getting into screenwriting, I do not recommend this software. Why? The cost. For screenwriters who also work in other genres, this software can be a regular all-in-one package. It’s great for screenwriting and even has some options for books and other forms of writing. However, if you aren’t interested in writing scripts, teleplays, or stage plays, there are many other, more affordable, programs and websites available for the rest. There’s also the snag that you can only open Final Draft files in Final Draft, i.e. you cannot convert it to Word doc or PDF, so it’s rather inconvenient for those outside of scripts and screenplays.
That being said, the software was very helpful in the process of rewriting this script. Also, it’s rather fun to toy around with if you already needed it for another project. There are many options for formatting, dialogue, page and scene numbering, notes and revisions for scripts, etc., more than I could list here. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve discovered even half of what the software has to offer, and I will be sure to keep you updated if I find out anything noteworthy in the future. (I will also let you know if I discover any glitches or other issues.)
I should also mention that this software could come in handy for those looking to turn a novel into a screenplay or vice versa. With templates available for both formats and the ability to have multiple files open at once, it would be relatively easy to switch between the two formats while working on the adaptation.
Like I said before, if you’re not into screenwriting, Final Draft isn’t for you, especially not at this price. However, if you are serious about screenwriting, you should give it some consideration. In the long run, it could save you time, keep you organized, and make your work look more professional.
To the screenwriters out there: have you used Final Draft? What has been your experience with it? Do you know of any other programs–for screenwriters or writers overall–that can help writers organize and compose their works? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
I haven’t reviewed a graphic novel in quite a while, so I figure it’s time that I dabble in that genre/art form again. The one I picked up recently is a YA, fantasy/superhero sort of story with a combination of prose and illustrations which gets an immediate hold on the reader and will not let go. With robots, selkies, and enchanting music, there’s a little bit of everything for all the speculative fiction fans out there. For this review, I will be discussing Skooter Girl, written by Darielle Mac and illustrated by Dell Barras.
Amber is a beautiful, confident, and talented young woman living on the Tir Na Nor (the magic Isle) with her father, a prophetic music instructor and prominent member of their village. Her birthday has come and she is finally turning sixteen; as is the tradition in her village, she is now, technically, an adult. Little does Amber understand, reaching adulthood comes with adult responsibilities. So when Amber learns that her father’s plans for her are different from what her heart is telling her is right, she must make the most difficult decision of her life so far: stay with her father and follow through with his plans, or go out into the world and discover what she wants out of life.
Will Amber make the right choice? What adventures await her as she enters womanhood? And what is the mysterious disease infecting the wine grapes of the nearby land of Colorfulnation?
Darielle Mac has created a magical world with elements of the futuristic and the mythical. I’m just dying to learn more about it, and not just the magic or how it works; I want to know more about the socio-political structure, the geography, and the history. I especially want to see more about the selkies. I love the original selkie legend—The Secret of Roan Inish is one of my all-time favorite movies—and I wonder what Mac will do with this increasingly-popular topic. All that might be a little overwhelming for the targeted audience, but when stretched over a series of graphic novels, I’m sure that we’ll learn much more about all these areas by the final book.
Dell Barras’s illustrations also pair perfectly with Mac’s world. They are beautifully vivid and eye-catching, incredibly high quality. I got a very good idea of the flora, fauna, and other natural wonders of Mac’s world, and Barras brings the characters to life. I found the scenes at sea to be especially well-illustrated; the shading and realistic depictions of the ocean and its creatures are astounding.
Each of Mac’s characters is unique and well-developed: Finn, the overprotective but loving father; Carin, the friend who always has Amber’s back; Bran, the love-struck and perhaps delusional son of the banker; and Pete, the goofy but well-meaning robot are just a sample of the wide range of people you will meet in Skooter Girl. They are all a little too cheery for me at times, but I can understand Mac wanting to start this series on a more positive note in order to encourage readers to continue with the rest of the series.
Amber is, in my opinion, a great role model for YA readers. She’s spunky, confident, and take-charge as well as the best friend anyone could ever want. She grabs the future by the horns, and not because of some guy like certain princesses we know (I’m looking at you, Ariel). Instead, Amber is determined to do what is right for her as a well-rounded, successful, and happy person. She shows YA readers, especially young women, that you can’t just wait for someone to hand you a destiny; you must go find it.
While Amber is an excellent character and I’m sure she will make a great hero for this series, my favorite character is Uncle Luc. He’s the cool uncle who will let you do what you want so long as you don’t hurt anyone and it’s in your best interest. It also doesn’t hurt that he reminds me a lot of Belle’s father from the Disney cartoon Beauty and the Beast. He’s inventive, funny, a little eccentric, and over-the-top when it comes to his gifts—just what anyone would be looking for in a long-lost relative. I am looking forward to seeing how he might help, or hinder, Amber’s adventures.
Skooter Girl is an excellent introduction to Amber and her world, especially for teenaged and young adult readers. That being said, I have a minor complaint about the book. The first is where it ends. I know it’s part of a series, but I was so wrapped up in the plot that when it suddenly stopped, I was disappointed. It seemed as though the story had just picked up and then cut off during what could have been a build-up to the climax. Still, I feel as though I can forgive Mac this flaw because I know it’s “to be continued.” I just want it to continue immediately! I love that Mac throws us right into the world without too many explanations to slow down the narration, but the abrupt ending almost killed me because I was so absorbed in it.
Overall, I highly recommend Skooter Girl by Darielle Mac. It’s great not just for YA readers or graphic novel enthusiasts; fans of fantasy and science fiction, along with a little mystery, will find this book right up their alley. It’s a story about magic and technology, love and corruption, and, most of all, discovering oneself outside of how others define us. You won’t be able to put it down until you’re finished, and the end will leave you anxious for more.
You can buy Skooter Girl as an e-book and in print on Amazon. As with most illustrated stories, I suggest buying a print copy in order to best experience the wonderful images.
Do you know of any books I should read? E-mail me at thewritersscrapbin@gmail.com and let me know!
Happy Friday, and May the 4th be with you! I apologize for my absence over the last week or so; I’ve been handling some projects which are taking a lot more time than I had originally estimated. Then today I was watching the Star Wars marathon on TBS. (I have officially fallen in love with John Boyega! Too bad they stopped with The Force Awakens; no spoilers for The Last Jedi, please.) Watching these movies have gotten me thinking about a part of writing which can be incredibly difficult, especially for genre writers: developing believable villains.
In the Star Wars movies I’ve watched, I’ve seen examples of believable villains, unbelievable villains, and some that are in between. Darth Vader: believable. Kylo Ren: in between. Jabba: eh. The Emperor: unbelievable. With plot-driven movies like Star Wars and their literary parallels, it’s easier to get away with characters like The Emperor; they’re over the top and relentlessly evil but at least they drive the plot forward.
Still, relying on such villains can grow tiresome. They have virtually no depth and are evil just to be evil. No emotional connection forms between the reader (or viewer in the case of movies) and this antagonist. They only cheer for their deaths or other forms of downfall because it means the hero/heroine is triumphant.
So, what does make a well-developed villain?
Well, they’re like any other character. They need a unique, complex personality and a strong backstory; there needs to be a reason they do what they do. Readers must be able to understand the rationale behind their actions while not necessarily agreeing with them. At the least, we should see some sort of emotional arc to their part of the story, something that shows they aren’t just a villainous caricature.
Let’s switch gears from a fanatic film franchise to a fanatic literary franchise: Harry Potter. The main villain in the Harry Potter books is, obviously, Lord Voldemort. For the first several books, Voldemort seems to be quite the unbelievable antagonist. Is he villainous and someone whom our hero should fight? Of course! In that way, he is believable. However, in the beginning we know little about him except for the fact that he’s done horrendous things and he’s out to kill Harry.
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, though, Voldemort leaps from a flat character to well-rounded as we learn more about his background. His hatred of Muggles starts to make sense as does his heartlessness; we even find several parallels between Voldemort and Harry, a possible psychological reason for why Voldemort decided to go after Harry instead of Neville when they were babies. Readers certainly do not feel that his actions are justified, and thus he remains believable as an evil character. Still, we understand him better, which makes him more believable as a character overall.
We see similar development in the Star Wars prequels with the creation of Darth Vader from Anakin Skywalker. We see him go from an innocent little boy to a promising young Jedi and, finally, the broken, sad, and angry Darth Vader we know and hate in the original Star Wars trilogy. Even before the prequels in the original trilogy itself we see complex emotional development for Darth Vader, a glimmer of humanity which makes us want him to come back to the Light Side.
When push comes to shove, humans are complex emotional beings. We constantly fight with the dark side within us–and sometimes the light side if we’re already immersed in our darker tendencies. As readers and viewers, we want to see that struggle reflected in fiction. That’s why a believable villain can be a genre writer’s greatest secret weapon as well as their biggest challenge. Make readers feel emotional attachment to your villains while still rooting against them and you’re golden. Neglect to develop your villains and you can still have a successful story; you will just lose some potential depth and genius material.
What do you think? Do you prefer villains that are believable as people? Or do you prefer for them to just be a physical embodiment of the evil the heroes are fighting? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
TGIF, readers and writers! For today’s writing prompt, I want to focus on the editing stage of writing. Namely, this prompt will deal with tightening our writing and exercising restraint. It’s time to take a look at our use of adverbs.
Adverbs: writers love them, editors loathe them. When used prudently, they can sharpen the reader’s mental image of a scene. However, writers tend to rely on them a little more than we should. For this writing prompt, we’re going to look at one famous author’s advice for how to use adverbs–or, rather, how to keep from using them.
Mark Twain once gave the following quote:
Substitute “damn” every time you’re inclined to write “very;” your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.
–Mark Twain
In this exercise, I want you to do what Mark Twain suggests. However, you will not just substitute the word “very.” Instead, you’ll be replacing every use of any adverb.
The exercise, as usual, is simple:
Take one page from your WIP–whether it be a short story, a novel, or even an essay–and every time you use an adverb, replace it with the word “damn.” CAUTION: Remember to save this new version of the page as a new file. Any time you make changes like this, you will want to keep the original. Otherwise, if you realize that you liked it better the first time, you won’t have the original copy to return to.
Once you have replaced all your adverbs, take a break for a few minutes. Watch TV, put in a load of laundry, walk the dog, whatever. Then, after about five or ten minutes, go back to the page you changed. How many times do you use “damn?” Is it scarce? Or do you find it in almost every line?
After noting how often “damn” appears in this version of the page, make a third version in which you remove every appearance of “damn.” Take another quick break, five or ten minutes like before, and then read over this third version. Now that you’ve seen all three versions, what do you think? Were your adverbs justified or superfluous? Is your writing tighter and cleaner without the adverbs, or does it feel choppy and like something’s missing? Or should you find a version in between these, not using quite so many adverbs but not removing all of them?
While many editors–and even acclaimed writers–claim that adverbs and adjectives can be the death of good writing, this is not always the case. Sometimes adverbs are necessary, as are adjectives (but that’s another story). You have to discover for yourself what works best for your writing style. After all, good writers learn the rules; great writers learn them and then break them. This prompt, though, will help you to see adverbs in a new way and learn to not throw them in willy-nilly.
What was your experience with this prompt? Did you learn anything about your writing style? What do you think of Twain’s advice? Are adverbs overused? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
As you might recall from the anniversary post, I am considering creating merchandise for The Writer’s Scrap Bin. These products, as explained in the Yop Poll on the same topic, would be used to help raise money to keep this blog going. Whether these products would be for sale, as an incentive for a routine pledge, or both, I haven’t decided. I might also use them as giveaways to my newsletter subscribers as well. Before I make these decisions, I want to show you some of this potential merchandise and get your opinion.
All merchandise will be made through Vistaprint. I’ve tried my hand at designing some products on there, and I’ve signed up for the monthly Promobox. All of this merchandise might end up for sale, or maybe only some of it.
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This first gallery has images of prototype merchandise I’ve designed with my logo. These include: a pen, sticky notes, a mug (front and back), and, just to show you everything I’ve been working on, my business cards. They’re very simple but because they have my logo, I’m fairly fond of them. I will probably make adjustments, including fading my logo on the sticky notes and creating a higher-quality image of the logo for use on merchandise. However, these images should give you an idea of what will be available.
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The second gallery depicts the products from my first Promobox. This Promobox included: a t-shirt, flat notecards, small stickers, and a premium pen. As they are part of the Promobox subscription program, they were designed by one of Vistaprint’s professionals with minimal directions from me like which colors and style I would prefer. These are, in my opinion, stunning. I am especially fond of the t-shirt and the flat notecards.
As the Promobox is monthly, I should have more options to present to you every month until I can no longer afford the $25/month. I will try to post about future Promobox products on the Facebook and Twitter accounts for The Writer’s Scrap Bin. However, I will most likely be updating this information on the blog’s new Instagram account.
What would you think? Would you buy any of the above products or pledge a monthly donation to this blog to get them? Can you think of any other kinds of products or design ideas which would persuade you to buy these? Would you sign up for the newsletter if these were one of the monthly giveaway options? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
I have a teachable moment I’d like to share with you. I slipped on the editing for the most recent critical response I turned in for my Master’s program. It wasn’t terribly bad, but there were still two mistakes and that’s bad for me. I had been working on it for hours before I submitted it, and that made me sloppy. I left a word I meant to remove and two words were flipped. This incident just reminded me that even editors need help sometimes, which brings me to the worst-kept secret in the writing/publishing world: everyone makes mistakes.
Whether you’re a writer or editor, you are just as capable of making a mistake as anyone else. Maybe you missed a comma or used “compliment” instead of “complement”. Maybe, in your haste to get the words out, you skip one or accidentally type them out of order. You could even be editing work for a client and forget some obscure grammatical rule, thus allowing an error to slip into the final copy. It happens to even the best writers and editors. That’s why we all need a second pair of eyes for editing and proofreading.
Before I go any further, I need to clear up a common murky area. As minor as it seems, there is a difference between editing and proofreading. Editing involves an in-depth examination of the writing for flow, word choice, style, and, yes, spelling and grammatical errors. This process usually goes hand-in-hand with rewriting, albeit after the beta reading stage. (Of course, it all depends on what your personal writing process is.)
Proofreading, on the other hand, happens much later in the writing cycle. It typically takes place just before the work hits the shelves, physical and electronic. Proofreaders check for grammar and spelling as well as other superficial elements of the work, including the work’s layout. (For example, they would let you know if there’s weird paragraph formatting in an e-book or an inconsistency in font size/style.)
No matter if you write short stories, novels, poems, or essays, editing and proofreading are essential. Otherwise, you will end up with egg on your face. If you work as an editor professionally, you still need to have a second set of eyes look over your writing, even for a school assignment. (Don’t let your pride get in the way like mine did. As my mother always says: if you can’t be a good example, at least be a horrible warning.)
Poorly-edited writing is one of the quickest ways to alienate potential readers. If your work is riddled with spelling and grammatical errors or it lacks flow, readers will not want to suffer that no matter how good the plot or message behind it is. Unfortunately, too many self-published writers make this mistake. They assume that they have looked through the writing enough to have caught all the errors and proceed to publish their books or collections without getting someone else to look at it. Why? One word: money.
Professional editing and proofreading cost a lot of money. Even Fiverr editors and proofreaders can charge a pretty penny, if they’re good and experienced. Mind you, some charge less and are still good, but they are typically either desperate for money or new to freelance editing, so don’t expect their rates to stay that cheap over time. (I’ve been that freelancer and I’ve learned quite a bit since I started a year ago.)
It’s preferable to get an unbiased editor or proofreader, but if you can’t afford it, friends and family are better than nothing. Some might be too kind to let you know about your errors but others aren’t, so if you rely on friends and family for editing, make sure to cast your net wide. That way, you’ll have a better chance of getting someone who will be honest and helpful.
One is better than none, but two or more editors and proofreaders will be your best bet. Like I said before, everyone in this industry makes mistakes. We’re only human, after all. Sometimes errors just run by us unnoticed. The English language is also very complicated. It’s hard to keep track of all the rules and exceptions. Very few, if any, people know all the rules and apply them properly. That’s not to mention the issue of American English vs. Queen’s English (U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc.). For those reasons, multiple editors and proofreaders are preferable to one.
This process is long and tedious, and you need to take this into account while planning your book release timeline, if you’re self-publishing. There will be no instant gratification. However, editing and proofreading are essential. It’s bad enough to turn in a short assignment with one or two spelling/grammatical errors; publishing a full-length book unedited could ruin your career before it’s really begun. Even if you’re submitting your manuscript to a traditional agent or publisher, you’ll want it to be fairly polished. Otherwise, they won’t take you seriously.
Do you think editing and proofreading are necessary? What has been your experience in these areas? Have you had better luck with professional editors and proofreaders, or have friends and family worked just as well for you? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Update 11/29/2019: As of December 1, 2019, Plotist will be CLOSED PERMANENTLY.
Technology can be a writer’s best friend and their worst enemy. Sometimes it makes life easier, such as being able to save all your files on one computer; other times it’s more trouble than it’s worth, such as spellcheck and its uncanny ability to sabotage even the most careful of writers and editors. Today, I am letting you know about one technological advancement, namely a website, which might help writers: Plotist.
I usually stick to the basics when it comes to technology and writing: Microsoft Word for writing and e-mail/flash drives for transporting files from one device to another. However, this method proves to be rather tedious after so many years, not to mention messy. I can’t always remember which stories I’ve sent via e-mail, which are on flash drives, and which are still only on my computer. I have notes and outlines strewn all across my digital devices (not to mention my notebooks, but that’s another can of worms entirely). Since I’ve started using Plotist, my writing life has become a little less of a tangled mess.
Now, I wasn’t actively looking for a site or program like Plotist when I found it. Frankly, I just came across the Plotist account on Twitter and decided to give it a try. Luckily for me, the site offers a free 30-day trial of their “Wordsmith” subscription, which is their premium package. A few days into the trial, I was hooked. The timeline and elements features in particular felt like a God-send. (You might call my typical planning methods “organized chaos.”)
Here are the basics of the features offered by Plotist:
Planning
For me, this feature is the best offered by Plotist. The website allows users to create “worlds,” which includes information on characters, events, and other “elements.” Genre writers in particular will find this feature useful. I’ve been using it to keep track of elements in my fantasy stories in particular, especially since you can assign multiple stories to a world. I’ve also found it useful for keeping track of the research I’m doing for some historical fiction.
All prose writers will want to check out the timeline feature within the planning feature. You can create color-coordinated timelines for the different characters which populate the world, which can be helpful no matter what genre you’re working in. Even non-fiction and academic writers will want to utilize the timelines to keep track of the chronological order of the events and/or concepts about which they are writing.
Of course, there is also the classic outline feature available. Within each story, you can outline based on chapters, book sections, whatever you want, and the summary of each chapter/section will be clearly labeled and shown above the space in which you write.
Writing
With the writing feature, you can write your chapter/section with your outline and chapter/section summary handy. If you don’t want your outline or summary to show, you can just hide them and reopen them as needed. I have found the writing feature as helpful as the planning feature because I no longer need to e-mail my files to myself or transport them via flash drive.
Collaborating
There are options to collaborate with other writers through the site. I don’t know much about this feature as I haven’t really collaborated with other writers yet, but there’s more information on the Plotist website.
Community
I haven’t explored this feature much, either. However, Plotist runs both a blog and a forum. The blog provides new information regarding Plotist, writing tips, and guides for gifts to give the writers in your life.
How much does a Plotist subscription cost? That depends on which subscription you use. Plotist offers four subscription options:
Free
As the name suggests, this subscription is free. You get unlimited public worlds, unlimited public stories, unlimited elements, unlimited timelines, and unlimited collaboration. However, you do not get any private worlds or stories. Essentially, the “public” worlds and stories can be seen by anyone using the site. “Private” worlds and stories can only be viewed by the user who creates them. With this subscription, everything is public.
Scribbler
With this subscription, you get all of the free features plus one private world and one private story.
Writer
This subscription, which is their most popular, offers all the free features, three private worlds, and three private stories.
Wordsmith
The Wordsmith subscription, which I got to try for free as part of a 30-day trial, gives users all the free features as well as unlimited private worlds and unlimited private stories. After the trial ended, I decided to subscribe to this option using the annual payment option. (It’s normally $99/year, but I caught a special price of $80/year in March. Either way, it’s cheaper in the long run.) Not everyone will find this expense necessary; I’m just a rather private person, especially when I’m in the initial planning and writing stages of a story.
You can also access the blog and forum for free.
Unfortunately, they do not have an app for iOS or Androids yet. However, you can still access Plotist through Chrome, Firefox, IE, and Safari, even on your phone or tablet. I’m hoping that they will have an app for iPhones soon but, for now, I can work with using it on Safari.
You can learn more about Plotist and pricing options on their website.
Have you ever tried Plotist or similar websites? What have been your experiences in this area? Any alternative sites, apps, or methods you’d like to suggest? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Happy Friday the 13th! Despite its reputation, I’ve always loved Friday the 13th. Or perhaps it’s because of its reputation? I really don’t know. All that I do know is that I love Friday and thirteen is one of my lucky numbers, and so Friday the 13th is usually a good day for me. (The jury is still out on today considering my dog didn’t let me sleep much.) A lot of people, however, seem to consider Friday the 13th as unlucky, and it’s that reputation I want to focus on for this writing prompt.
I could go into the history of how Friday the 13th became an “unlucky” day, but that would take too long. (You should look it up, though. It involves greed, a corrupt government, and the Knights Templar. You couldn’t make this stuff up.) Instead, let’s jump to the good stuff: a perfectly unlucky day.
What’s a “perfectly unlucky day”? It’s a day when nothing can seem to go right. From the time you wake up until the time you go to bed, everything seems to blow up in your face and, by the end, you just want the world to go away. We’ve all had that sort of day. Maybe it’s not as drastically bad as in the movie Alexander and the Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, but it’s still the worst day you’ve ever had. This is the kind of situation I want you to throw your characters into.
As usual, the prompt is pretty straightforward: write a story in which one of the main characters in your WIP experiences their worst day ever. The story can be a part of the character’s everyday life or a major plot point in your WIP, depending on how evil you’re feeling. All that matters is that nothing goes right for them that day.
However, don’t make the bad day illogical or implausible for your character, either. With very good and very bad luck in stories, it’s easy to rely upon coincidences. For this prompt, I want you to avoid coincidences as much as possible.
Here’s an example:
Let’s say part of your character’s very bad day is catching their partner, who works in the same office as them, having an affair with a coworker. You will want to avoid a set-up such as your character runs out of staples, goes to the office supply closet to get more, and just so happens to catch their partner making out with a coworker. Instead, have them notice that their partner and the coworker seem to have been flirty for a while. Then, because they are in a bad mood from having a bad day anyway, your character becomes paranoid and decides to follow them during lunch. During this stalking, your character finds them sharing a kiss in the stairwell, and their suspicions are confirmed.
I suggest that, before actually writing the story, you create an outline of the unlucky events that will happen to your character. Obviously, this outline will just be a guideline, but it’s good to go into this with half an idea of what you want to write. It’s easier to avoid coincidences that way.
This exercise is meant to test your character’s limits. What will they do under the pressure of a bad day? Will a normally calm character have a meltdown? Will a nervous nellie be oddly prepared and step up to the challenge? Take this opportunity to really explore your character’s personality. After all, a person’s true personality shines in the worst of times, not the best.
How did this prompt go for you? Did you learn something about your character that you hadn’t thought about before? What sort of torment did you put them through? Leave your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
