Hollingsworth

W hen I edit other people's work, the number one thing that wave red flags at me is second-rate dialogue.  Photo by  Danielle MacInnes  on  Unsplash I see a WHOLE LOT of sources on how to improve dialogue or write better dialogue, yadda yadda... This is just a short list of tips for how to improve your dialogue in little steps. There are more tips than what are included here, but I've got down the ones that stand out (to me) most.  1. Do not write based off real conversations. There is A LOT of advice out there telling writers to write their dialogue based off of real-life conversation. Really, it's not very great advice.  Consider: (a real-life conversation) "Hey, wassup?"  "Not much. What about you?"  "Nothing. Just working."  "Same."  -moment of silence- "Anything exciting going on lately?" Real-life conversations are boring; they go in circles; they repeat things and most of the time it

W hat readers particularly love is a story that actually means or says something. What carries this across is a good theme. The problem is, if you're like me, we writers often have a hard time deciding on what theme we want our stories to bring to the table. Photo by  Green Chameleon  on  Unsplash So, a quick briefing:   What is a theme? A theme is defined as an "exhibition of particular subject matter." In writing, it ends up being the author's big idea. The crucial driving point. The thing that really makes the story matter. Without it, your story may lag or feel completely worthless.  This driving point could be anything:   a political problem, a personal issue--anything mildly worth discussing. For instance: the theme of Shakespeare's Hamlet is justice and revenge.  If there's so much to write on, then WHY is it SO HARD to decide on one?  Here are the three basic groups I've run in to : 1. Societal Issues . The question of equality. Huma

I t always seems difficult to find a perfect name for your Fiction/Fantasy/Sci-Fi character. Everything is perfect, down to the last detail! But the name...Here are 21 Old and Beautiful Female Names for Your Fiction Story!  Photo by  Brandi Redd  on  Unsplash This is the follow up post to last week's 21 Old and Beautiful Male Names for Your Fiction Story. Most of these names are not often encountered and would make perfect names for your female character.  Yes, they are in alphabetical order this time! (*scattered applause*)  (Some of these names are still in use, but they sound old enough and poetic enough for any heroine!) (Note: most of these names are derived from Anglo-Saxon, Irish, Welsh, Scandinavian and Gaelic)  1. Aideen or Aydeen: (Irish) meaning "fire" 2. Bayan: (male and female) [pronounced BAY-in] (Russian?) meaning "clear" 3. Bega: [pronounced BAY-gah] (Irish) meaning "beautiful" 4. Breage [pronounced BREE-geh] (Irish)

C an anyone relate? You think up an amazing character: appearance, quirks, mindset, beliefs, reactions, everything. This is the best character ever! But then...creativity drops an anvil on your work: what an earth will their name be??  Photo by  Jazmin Quaynor  on  Unsplash For me at least, names have always been a rough spot in my Fantasy/Sci-Fi stories. I mean, it's not like you can just give them ANY old name, can you? They are special and their name needs to be special too.  I tried to do it in alphabetical order, but........  Here's a list of 21 old and beautiful male names for your fiction story. If I get enough interest, I will do a follow-up post with 21 old and beautiful female names.  (Note: most of these names are derived from either anglo-saxon or welsh).  1. Arvid: (derived from Scandinavian) meaning "tree of the eagle" 2. Boadin [pronounced BO-din] (Irish) meaning "fair-headed" or "blond" 3. Bearach: (Irish and Scott