Plotting a Children's Book

Got an idea for a great children's story? How do you go about plotting? Robyn Opie, author of 61 published children's books, tells you how, including 7-point plot structure that will work for any story.

Writing Picture Books for Children

How do go about writing Picture Books for children? Robyn Opie, author of 61 published children's books spills the beans.

Writing Web Content: What Does a Web Writer Write?

Web writing is the hottest new opportunity for freelance writers. Many writers are making the switch to the online environment because selling what you write on the Web is easy. It's also easy to find writing gigs.

Email Interviews Have Their Place: 6 Times For Writers To Use Email

When should a journalist use email for interviewing? Many veteran journalists warn new freelancers and staff writers not to use email to interview sources. Email interviews can be stilted, awkward, confusing (if the subject isn't comfortable with writing), or even too polished. It's also harder to have a natural conversation through email, which can restrict the direction of an interview.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Antihero: Inner Cave

It is from the Inner Cave of the First Threshold, where the antihero personally disposes of the antagonist (hand-to-hand battle), completes the trivial task and is (along with his allies) pushed out of the first threshold.

Write A Query Letter That Sells!

If agents are saying no to your query letters it means your description of the story doesn't convince them your novel will sell. Learn the important steps in writing queries that get attention and accomplish what they are meant to do.

Dive Into The Heart Of Darkness

This book report from long ago turned itself into a metaphorical journey deep inside the mind of it's audience. Read it slowly and let it take hold. Do not be afraid, just be aware - of your emotions and your sanity.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Pre The Hand-To-Hand Battle

Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. It is post the initial catharses and the increases antagonism that the hero often demonstrates calmness and confidence. This is illustrated in many ways. In Straw Dogs (1971), David fixes his glasses and plays music, disconcerting his enemies.

The Substance of the Story: What Fiction Writers Can Learn from Screenwriters

Storytelling in Hollywood means screenwriting. Thus, it is a good idea for any fiction writer to pay attention to the principles of screenwriting so his story turns out to be energetic and successful.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Mystical Marriage

The mystical marriage applies to that stage of the journey where the hero (or antihero) seizes the sword. The sword is often a fire (representing power) or treasure (that comes with or gives power) or a bride (that comes with it too). The mystical marriage is metaphoric for each of these or all of these. In Scarface (1983), Tony takes Frank's kingdom, with it comes power and also Elvira, his bride. Each is representative of the other. In Scarface (1983), Elvira represents (is metaphoric for) Frank's kingdom. She is the tangible representation of it.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): The Act of Physical Separation

Throughout the First Threshold and sometimes the Belly of the Whale, the Hero is accompanied by a major First Threshold Guardian. The act of Physical Separation is where the hero rids himself of the major threshold guardian and is allowed to move onto the deeper transformation. In The Godfather (1972), it is the overcoming of Sollozo that allows Michael to travel to Sicily, where his old self will be dissolved away.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Forms of Interdiction

Refusals to answer the call to adventure is one thing, another is the consequence of doing it. The hero's ordinary world has structure and that will be lost if he (or she departs). Punishments will be given, often by authority figures. Imagine yourself in the hero's place. If you were to follow your inner calling today, it .....

Writing - Use Obituaries for Developing Your Characters

Obituaries can be an endless source of inspiration and ideas for developing new fiction characters or putting a polish on the already developed ones. Besides, I always find it interesting to read the life stories of people I've never met; people who have led interesting lives and did their own thing.

Writing For The Web - When Your Web Site Is A Blog

You're a Web writer, so you need a way to display your Web skills so that people will hire you to write for them, and a blog is perfect for that. You can develop your own portfolio blog in almost no time.