story-writing | Penstricken

‘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.

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.

8 Great Fiction and Writing Blogs

Posted on June 13, 2021 Leave a Comment

It’s that time again, when I take a few steps back from the fore to put the spotlight on some of my favourite posts from other fiction and writing blogs around the web.

App Review: Tomato Typewriter

Posted on June 12, 2021 Leave a Comment

If you’re the sort of writer who enjoys writing on your Android tablet or smartphone but need the threat of a deadline to get you going, Tomato Typewriter by Zest Works might just be the app for you.

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.

Idea Generators: Are They Any Use?

Posted on June 5, 2021 Leave a Comment

If you’re struggling to come up with an idea for your story, you might be tempted to Google story idea generators to help you out.

But do these little miracle makers really deliver the goods?

App Review: Character Story Planner 2

Posted on June 4, 2021 Leave a Comment

Everyone and their granny seems to have produced an app to help writers draft or plan their stories, most of which I personally don’t find very helpful. Nevertheless there are a few diamonds in the rough to be found and today I want to tell you all about another one I recently discovered: Character Story Planner 2 for Android by Ifantasia.

5 Writing Laws I Just Can’t Keep

Posted on June 3, 2021 Leave a Comment

If the Writing Police ever do raid my house at four in the morning and drag me before the Fiction Judge, I’m pretty sure the list of charges will be a long one and he’ll throw the book at me for every one of them. And so, today I’m here to confess my crimes.