At some point in your life as a writer, you will have to choose a target audience. If you plan to be published at some point, or even if you simply want your writing to be read by someone other than yourself, you have to know who you’re writing for. It’s impossible to appeal to…
It’s been a long time since the DC Extended Universe — home to some of the most famous superheroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman — has gotten any attention, either positive or negative. But that all changed when it was announced that the DCU was being rebooted this summer. The reboot is facing an…
Most of the time, if you are reading a novel, you can trust whoever is telling you the story. Whether it be a character speaking from the first person, or an omniscient voice that whispers from the third, you believe everything they say because there is no other option. That character or that mysterious voice…
Throughout this series, we’ve taken a deep-dive into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and what they did to make sure their emotional moments left an impact on the audience. We’ve looked at everything from the Avenger’s very first team up to their final stand in Infinity War, examining exactly what made those moments powerful. But…
One of the most emotional moments in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is the scene where Peter Parker dies. I was lucky enough to be able to watch that moment happen in theatres, and when it did, the entire atmosphere of the room shifted. The scene left an almost tangible impact on the audience….
Last week, we looked at how the buildup to an emotional moment is one of the most effective ways to give that moment meaning when it comes. But this principle also works in the other direction, as well. Simply put, readers will subconsciously judge the significance of something based on its impact on the rest…
There’s something uniquely powerful about the moment the Avengers team up for the very first time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or MCU. It’s not just how the music swells or how well done their characters are by the time it finally happens (although those elements are certainly a part of it). There’s another factor…
We’ve all been exposed to some of the classic soap opera plot points that are so cliche that they’re not only found in almost every soap opera, but also mocked across other shows and media. There’s always a secret twin, a hidden lover, or a covered-up crime that keeps the audience bouncing from one heart-jerking…
Out of all the requests for article topics we’ve gotten, from tips on worldbuilding to character work to theme, the most common question has always been how writers can make sure their emotional scenes matter. If readers are bored throughout the most meaningful parts of a book, or if they feel sappy or overdone, the…
Sometimes, characters tend to sound like their author. And I’m not just talking about the way they talk in dialogue (although that could be a problem too!) I mean the fact that, although certain stories are supposed to be written from one or two point of views, oftentimes the very perspective of those characters end…