This month has been a month of frustration, tears and joy. It’s been a lesson in patience, a lesson in bring flexible, and a lesson in life.
There are many things in life that we can control and some we can’t. And this month has made me realise it’s okay to not have control, and it’s also okay to be deeply frustrated over it. In fact, it’s perfectly okay to feel a myriad of feelings all at the same time, because that’s what it means to be human.
Now how does this all relate to a writing blog update? Well the complexities of life, the ups and the downs, have always been the source of inspiration and truth for me to use in writing. Writing is a way to process them, to unpack them and then to try and rationalise them. This month’s complexities will no doubt feed some scenes that are more powerful and raw than they would have been without having gone through those experiences.
That’s one of the things to remember about anything creative – it can not only be a hobby, it can be a balm. It can be your way to process the world and its barmy and sometimes downright unfair bullshit. And if you can create something from the bullshit, then there is always a silver lining.
Writing on Caffeine – Group Dynamics
This month in my newsletter, I talked about group dynamics. You don’t need an ensemble cast – just more than two characters interacting at the same time. However, the impact of group dynamics is more keenly felt on larger scale casts – especially when you have a group of characters who are all going through the same set of scenes together.
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This month’s blogs
Don’t forget to check out this month’s blogs below!
Future
It’s impossible to know what the future will hold. It’s impossible to ascribe a value to that future – a good or bad, a right or wrong. Because it’s not known. You can’t tell whether the decision you make today will be the right or wrong. All you can do is make the best decision…
Slow Down
“Can we please slow down a bit? I need a rest.” “I need to rest,” Davi said, sitting heavily on the dirt track, “please.” “We don’t have time, Davi,” Tabatha grabbed him by the arm and hauled Davi to his feet again. Everything ached, his head pounded, and his wounds were starting to leak again.…
Top tips for decribing your characters
Describing characters falls into two key areas – firstly what the character actually looks like and then secondly how to actually describe your character to your reader. Deciding what your character looks like can help inform other aspects of your story, and certain characteristics can be a key plot point. Look at the Wheel of…
Why writing is a great hobby
Get a hobby, people say. Normally roughly around the time when you’ve sighed about work and not having much to do at the weekend. But then, finding a hobby is easier said than done. Especially when you’re in the middle of a slump and staring down the barrels of existence wondering how on earth life…
Peace
“What do you think?” Ilyen asked, taking another bite out of his dinner. The burrito juice dribbled out of the end of the paper wrapping, spilling onto the metal of the car. It sizzled gently when it hit. “Think?” Gyn replied, looking over at his husband with confusion. “Of the view,” Ilyen asked, gesturing out…
How to write a group of characters – Writing on Caffeine
This month in my newsletter, Writing on Caffeine, I’m going to talk about group dynamics. You don’t need an ensemble cast – just more than two characters interacting at the same time. However, the impact of group dynamics is more keenly felt on larger scale casts – especially when you have a group of characters…
Other things I’ve been up to
This month I finally got around to watching Everything Everywhere All At Once. An excellent and mind-boggling film that is a real masterclass in both storytelling and editing. Defo recommend!!
Alex.J.Cobalt 