If you’re telling a compelling story well, you keep your reader wondering what happens next.
When I don’t know, here’s what I do. I sleep on it. (Wait, it gets better.) Each night before I go to sleep I ask myself what problem (plot problem, character issue, niggling story detail) I want answered when I wake up. When I wake the next morning into that special hypnagogic state between sleep and full wakefulness, I find my answer. The hypnagogic state is a very powerful state of mind where you can be most creative. It allows the subconscious to supply the answer you’re looking for. It really works.
BONUS:
I’ve had several requests from potential freelancers. If you want to be a freelancer, read Jenna Glatzer’s How to Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer. It’s solid advice. There are a ton of these books out there but it’s certainly one of the better ones.
WORD of the DAY UPDATE:
Hagiographic:
A study of the lives of saints or idealizing biographical books.
To paraphrase Steve Martin:
Latin. They’ve got a word for everything.
Filed under: Books, writing tips
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