Story Lab: Writers Write

This week I decided to do a story lab, specifically about writing. I looked at the Writers Write website, which has all kinds of blog posts about types of writing. From explaining how to write to analyzing writer’s habits and techniques to little tips and tricks for when someone has writer’s block, it’s got a lot of stuff on there to help anyone write anything.

So without further ado and in no random order, here are some of the posts I found interesting.

This post was written shortly after Stan Lee passed. Stan Lee gave out a lot of writing advice over his life, and they complied six of his quotes. The top one listed is a piece of advice I’ve seen floating around the internet in various quotes: “write what you love to read.” This falls in line with the advice of “if you can’t find a story you like, write it.” If nothing else, it’s encouraging.

This is pretty interesting advice: basically, by figuring out what a character’s to-do list would be, whether mundane or dramatic, it can help a writer figure out how to advance the plot. As the post suggests, the list could be incorporated into the story at some point, whether as a major or minor plot, or not at all. This can help define what the writers call “story goals,” the solid plot structure.

The website also gives practical advice, like explaining the exact difference between a memoir or an autobiography. Basically, an autobiography is more historical, usually written by someone famous, and will often rely on records to tell the story. A memoir is more based on memory, can be written by anyone, and there’s usually more of an emotional connection in the story.

And of course, the formula for writing a good tragic love story. Basically, two star-crossed lovers, with something forbidden that stops them from getting together, they fight their feelings but can’t stay apart, etc. etc. Nothing like a good simple formula to provide the backbone for a love story, especially if someone isn’t in the mood for a happily ever after.

Honorable mention to the post about the writing habits of various authors, specifically how many words they aim to write each day. Fairly insightful, and also a little disheartening to know that some people aim for 10,000 words a day (Michael Crichton is insane). Honorable mention also to the post about how J. K. Rowling isn’t a good writer, which I’m taking with a grain of salt because I feel like they’re just picking on Rowling’s writing style. (I’m currently relistening to the books again and I will fight anyone who says she can’t write.) (Also this is coming from a company that made itself sound redundant.)