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#127: The Ethics of Turning Fanfic into Original Fiction

January 15, 2019 ~ ~ Leave a comment

It's extremely common for writers to read or watch something and feel inspired to create an original story. You just had an intermediate step.

#123: Writer’s Mind, Beginner’s Mind

December 18, 2018 ~ ~ Leave a comment

Hello Story Nurse,I want to write a novel. But I'm stuck. I have previously published non-fiction work in thesis, publication, monograph and script format. To me this kind of writing is, if not easy, intuitive. Pitching what I'm writing to the right audience is my particular strength. I've written for experts in my field and … Continue reading #123: Writer’s Mind, Beginner’s Mind

#115: Getting Started Writing Original Fiction

October 23, 2018 ~ ~ Leave a comment

You're asking me about how, but my questions back to you are about why. If you can grab hold of why you're focusing on writing original fiction and confirm that you really do want to be doing it, a lot of these pieces will fall into place.

#78: How Much Should Your Research Show?

January 16, 2018January 14, 2018 ~ Rose Fox ~ 2 Comments

When you incorporate your research into your story, do it with a light touch. Keep your protagonist's or narrator's perspective at the front of your mind; don't harp on the things that they will find unremarkable or irrelevant.

#43: Describing Your Viewpoint Character

May 16, 2017May 14, 2017 ~ Rose Fox ~ 1 Comment

In first-person POV, it's challenging to convey who's speaking without a clunky or clichéd paragraph of self-description.

#40: When to Kill a Character

April 25, 2017April 23, 2017 ~ Rose Fox ~ 3 Comments

Adding or subtracting a character in the middle of creating a lengthy work is nearly as challenging as breaking up with a longtime life-entangled partner.

#31: The Myth of the Everyperson

February 21, 2017February 19, 2017 ~ Rose Fox ~ Leave a comment

We're swimming in the narrative conceit that what makes extraordinary characters interesting is their extraordinariness and what makes protagonists interesting is that they're protagonists.

#30: Whose Story Is It Anyway?

February 14, 2017February 12, 2017 ~ Rose Fox ~ 1 Comment

Lots of things happen that characters don't know about, or only hear about. That's part of life, and is perfectly fine to include in fiction. Instead of trying to fix it, have your characters react to it.

#28: “Am I Busy or Avoidant?”

January 31, 2017January 29, 2017 ~ Rose Fox ~ Leave a comment

Today is the fifth Tuesday of the month, which means that my answer to this heartfelt letter is available exclusively to my Patreon patrons.

#27: Ethics in Fiction Writing

January 24, 2017February 7, 2017 ~ Rose Fox ~ 1 Comment

Let go of any inclination you have to identify with your work and interpret critiques of your work as critiques of you. Critiques of your work are critiques of your work. Your job is to use them to make your future work better.

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