C.J. Perry's Blog

Sometimes, the conflict we create, or our characters actions to solve it, can rely on unrealistic behavior. Let’s kick this terrible writing habit and get our stories on track!

Fairies and aliens have more in common with each other than they do with us. How’s that? Well, let’s take a look at how we craft imaginary people that aren’t human.

When are we telling a wild tale, and when have we pushed too far? When do vampire dinosaurs make sense, and when is it one step too far? Let’s take a look!

We don’t worship the God of the Gaps, but as writers, it can be the saving grace that avoids exposition.

It happens to the best of us. The practical advice (take a walk, break, fifth of bourbon) is not always the most pragmatic solution. So, let’s reset and try again.

Time and again, even the best writers lose perspective. Let’s identify what it is, how you write it, and when each kind of perspective works best.

What makes your characters tick? Why do they do what they do? Let’s ask some critical questions and make our characters believable.

Well, one good turn deserves another. We know how to end a story, let’s talk about how to start one. But before you back up that dump truck to drop exposition on your audience, maybe you should consider leaving them in the dark for a bit.

When the final chapter comes, we must be prepared. Let’s take out our honey-do list and make sure we close out the story in grand fashion.

We don’t (normally) want a ‘grim and gritty’ love story, nor do we want to hunt down evil on a lovely sunny day. Let’s match the feel of your story with the correct backdrop.