Author Tips - Tumblr Posts

How to Write Skills and Knowledge

So, you’re looking to write a character with a fun new skill or area of knowledge! Awesome! We’ve all been there before, excited to write a character who knows a lot about something completely out of left field for us. The issue is this: that character has to know things we don’t.

If we approach the writing of this character with our own limited knowledge, it’s going to be extremely clear that someone with absolutely no knowledge of the character’s expertise wrote this character. If I write about a professional chef when all I do is make the occasional boxed mac and cheese from time to time… it’s going to show.

Do I have to be an expert in these things?

No! Not by any means. You don’t have to be an expert about most things to write about them, which is why we can write stories about other worlds and fantastic adventures. But when we do those things, we learn about them through creating them. There’s a process of creation and understanding, and that understanding is key - at least a base level is vital.

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Plots

What is a plot?

A plot is the chain of events that make up the story in a book, movie, TV show, and the like. A plot generally consists of five major points: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution/ Denouement. 

Exposition:

This is the beginning of the story. Here, the reader is introduced to the setting, the characters, and the main conflict. 

Rising Action:

This is where the story starts to get complicated. The conflict begins to escalate to a much bigger issue.

Climax:

This is the middle of the story. The characters may be panicking, as the conflict has reached its peak. 

Falling Action:

By this point of the book, the characters may have thought of a solution to the issue and are implementing it. The story begins to cool down.

Resolution/Denouement:

This is the end of the story. The story is at a stopping point, the main issue resolved. If you’re writing a series, this may be where you would add the extra bit of information that leads into the next book.

What is a subplot?

A subplot is a plot that exists inside the main plot. An example being a group of characters working together to reach a concrete goal, but romantic tension existing between the two main characters at the same time - the subplot. 

These are the only two I felt needed some clarification. If you have any questions, or feel as though I’ve missed something, feel free to let me know!