With a hero’s journey style plot, after your protagonist steps out of their ordinary world and into the new world, they’re going to meet some people along the way. These are little mini adventures that will give your character tools for the ultimate challenge. They’ll get pieces of advice too.This is an excerpt where TomContinueContinue reading “Test, Allies, and Enemies–A Hero’s Journey Plot Point Featuring an Excerpt from Tam Lin: A Modern Queer Retelling”
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The Hero’s Journey Plot Rundown
The most important thing you must remember about any plot is that a good plot is a series of events that teach a lesson. Without that lesson learned, the story will come off as hollow and formulaic. The Hero’s Journey Plot The Set Up/call to adventure Every story must start up in the character’s ordinaryContinueContinue reading “The Hero’s Journey Plot Rundown”
Hero’s Journey Plot Point The Threshold and How I Used It in Tam Lin: A Modern, Queer Retelling
In all myths, the hero goes to distant lands Sometimes to several while on their quest. It’s when they venture out from their everyday life and into fantastical settings or into any unknown. It doesn’t have to be filled with monsters, but it has to be a place that challenges what they believe in theContinueContinue reading “Hero’s Journey Plot Point The Threshold and How I Used It in Tam Lin: A Modern, Queer Retelling”
The Hero’s Journey Plot Point The Mentor and How I Used It for: Tam Lin: A Modern, Queer Retelling–Excerpt from Chapter Two
Since I’m working on a modern retelling of a myth, I’m using a hero’s journey style plot. The very first plot point is called a call to action (or adventure). I posted Tom’s call to adventure here https://tammydeschamps.com/2020/08/24/excerpt-from-tam-lin-a-modern-queer-retelling-chapter-one/ . Usually the call to action/adventure for a myth is some sort of quest, but in Tom’sContinueContinue reading “The Hero’s Journey Plot Point The Mentor and How I Used It for: Tam Lin: A Modern, Queer Retelling–Excerpt from Chapter Two”
What Writing a Short Story in a Day and Publishing it on Amazon Taught Me
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FMWGN3G My long term goal is to eventually own a small press that helps fledgling writers break into a very competitive industry. I realized while I’m writing and querying my work with publishing houses, that I might want to try my hand at self-publishing. What happens when you write a story, do your own editing,ContinueContinue reading “What Writing a Short Story in a Day and Publishing it on Amazon Taught Me”
Traditional Publishing vs Self-publishing
In the movies, a writer types “The end” and then sends his or her manuscript off to their agent. The novel is instantly published and becomes a bestseller. We hear stories about authors living out of their car getting their book published and then become overnight successes, making millions if not billions. Let me breakContinueContinue reading “Traditional Publishing vs Self-publishing”
Writer Talk: Hooking a Reader from the Beginning
A while back, I wrote a blog post about opening lines and more recently I wrote an article about writing characters readers identify with. I’d like to revisit the subjects and delve a little deeper into exactly what how-to writing articles and books mean by “hooking a reader from the beginning.” Maybe you’re new toContinueContinue reading “Writer Talk: Hooking a Reader from the Beginning”
Questions Asked in Writing Groups: Should I Write Under a Pen Name?
Many new writers ask, “Should I write under a pen name?” That is an excellent question but there is a time when you should be asking it and it isn’t when you’re still on a rough draft. Gentle writer, prioritize. If you don’t have a finished story, focus on completing it. Daydream about it. MakeContinueContinue reading “Questions Asked in Writing Groups: Should I Write Under a Pen Name?”
Why Writing Characters that Readers Identify with is the Most Important Thing You Can Do as a Writer
Netflix Umbrella Academy television series has a great plot. The dialogue is witty and sometimes profound. The acting is superb. The scenes are great cinematography. Why can’t I get into it? I’m not their target audience. I’m a woman in her forties, a mother, and a writer. I’m no longer a person seeking the approvalContinueContinue reading “Why Writing Characters that Readers Identify with is the Most Important Thing You Can Do as a Writer”
Draft Zero of My Novel is Finished, Now What?
I’ve completed my first draft of Eastside Hedge Witch: A (Sub)Urban Fantasy. I’m happy with the story overall, but the finish is kinda soft. That’s okay. Why? Because it’s only a first draft. A first draft is the story you tell yourself, or if you’re silly like me, you post scenes from it on theContinueContinue reading “Draft Zero of My Novel is Finished, Now What?”