novelist | Penstricken

Throwback Thursday: 50 Character Motives For Your Story

Posted on November 17, 2022 Leave a Comment

I’ve listed a few possible character motives in the image below and I would encourage you to play around with different ways of interpreting and applying them.

Throwback Thursday: 7 Deadly Writing Sins

Posted on September 15, 2022 Leave a Comment

There remain some lines we should simply never cross; some crimes we can commit as authors which are just unforgivable. And so, I’ve listed a few of them here for your enjoyment and instruction.

‘Project E’ Update

Posted on September 9, 2021 Leave a Comment

Well I promised you occasional updates on how things are progressing with the old W.I.P., known to all but the chosen few who know it’s true title as ‘Project E,’ so I suppose I’d better try to keep my promise.

Book Review: To Ash and Dust by H.L. Walsh

Posted on August 22, 2021 Leave a Comment

I have been eager to find out what happens next for Malach, Amara and the other characters in the ‘Deliverance’ trilogy, and so I jumped at the chance to read an ARC copy of the second book, To Ash and Dust, in exchange for an honest review.

Writing a Novel? Make Sure You’ve Got a Story Bible

Posted on July 3, 2021 Leave a Comment

A story bible is basically a handbook for your fictional world, containing all the facts and details pertinent to your story.

Author Interview: D. Wallace Peach (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on June 11, 2021 1 Comment

I had the pleasure of chatting with D. Wallace Peach, whose books, including the ‘Shattered Sea’ duology, are available to buy now on Amazon. This is part two of that interview.

Author Interview: D. Wallace Peach (Part 1 of 2)

Posted on June 10, 2021 2 Comments

I had the pleasure of chatting with D. Wallace Peach, whose books, including the ‘Shattered Sea’ duology, are available to buy now on Amazon. This is part one of our interview. Don’t forget to check back next week for part two!

What’s On Your Writer’s Utility Belt?

Posted on June 8, 2021 Leave a Comment

Just like Batman has a utility belt which is loaded with all deus ex machina gadgets he needs to help him save the day, so we writers all have our (figurative) utility belts loaded with all the tools we rely on to help us whenever we sit down to write…. Don’t we? 😶

5 Elements of a Great Story

Posted on June 6, 2021 Leave a Comment

A good story will stimulate the audience emotionally and intellectually; it will thrill them as well as make them think; frighten them as well as make them laugh and it will take them on a journey which is both meaningful and enjoyable. To accomplish this, there’s a few key ingredients you just can’t do without.