Category: Creativity Sessions

NaNo Re-Hash: The Little People Still Matter!

On By Steven D'AdamoIn Creativity Sessions, The Warden of Everfeld, Writers - Steve D'AdamoLeave a comment

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I published an earlier version of this article, “The Little People Matter Too!”, way back in 2014, but since it only has 15 total views, I’ve decided to revisit it and update it a bit. This was among my first “Creativity Sessions” pieces, and I think its themes still ring true as I begin exploring a new story this November. I wil post more of these re-hashes through NaNo 2016 (and likely beyond) with some new insights and thoughts to share.

As I discussed last Friday, I have entered NaNoWriMo 2016 with a much more solid foundation to begin a new novel. While WoE: Memento was largely experimental, with ideas and narrative points coming to me as I wrote, I have been much more structured in my approach to the follow-up novel, The Warden of Everfeld: Legacy. Continue reading “NaNo Re-Hash: The Little People Still Matter!” →

Creativity Sessions: Questions to Ask Your Alpha Readers

On By Steven D'AdamoIn Creativity Sessions, The Warden of Everfeld, Writers - Steve D'Adamo2 Comments

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I’ve been discussing the revision process for Manuscript: Alpha of The Warden of Everfeld: Memento since completing the first draft way back in July. (That really does feel so much longer ago than two months…)

Since my alpha readers are nearly finished with their reviews, and I am (basically) finished with my own first read-through, I thought I would share the actual questions I typed up for my alpha readers to answer. Continue reading “Creativity Sessions: Questions to Ask Your Alpha Readers” →

Creativity Sessions: Let Your Characters Write the Story

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I forget sometimes that others can help pull you out of creative ruts. I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself to finish Manuscript: Alpha of “Jaed and Aston” this week, mostly by telling my alpha readers that I was almost done.

Then, I hit a narrative point that felt messy and too drawn out. I fussed over wording, I tried to find a shortcut (which I do not like admitting), I brainstormed a whole bunch. And then I happened upon an interview that gave me the jolt I needed. Continue reading “Creativity Sessions: Let Your Characters Write the Story” →

Creativity Sessions: Cliffhangers as a Narrative Device

On By Steven D'AdamoIn Creativity Sessions, Writers - Steve D'Adamo2 Comments

I enjoy cliffhangers in novels. As someone in the marketing profession, I also understand why they are often used at the ends of novels. I’ll be just finishing up the story when the author throws a curveball, making me go Oh shit, how can you leave me hanging like that?! And then Book 2 comes out and I buy it immediately, because obviously I have to see what happens. It’s good business.

But as a narrative device? I’m becoming more and more skeptical of the end-of-book cliffhanger. Continue reading “Creativity Sessions: Cliffhangers as a Narrative Device” →

Creativity Sessions: Not Seeing the Trees for the Forest

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River in the forestLooking at that picture, most people would hear the water chiming over stones and logs, or imagine the animals that may be hidden behind that line of trees. I look at this picture and imagine the mountain spring that flows down into this river, or the wide expanse of the forest. Continue reading “Creativity Sessions: Not Seeing the Trees for the Forest” →

Creativity Sessions: Thoughts on Storytelling

On By Steven D'AdamoIn Creativity Sessions, Writers - Steve D'Adamo3 Comments

I’ve been thinking a lot about storytelling recently. Okay, I kind of think about storytelling all the time anyway. But binge-watching Louis on Netflix makes me reflect on the way we tell our own stories. Continue reading “Creativity Sessions: Thoughts on Storytelling” →

Creativity Sessions: Inner Monologues and Deductions

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I love the concept of the inner monologue in writing, probably because I’m constantly up in my own head with thoughts and ideas that I might not express vocally. In writing, though, I think it has to be used delicately. Continue reading “Creativity Sessions: Inner Monologues and Deductions” →

Creativity Sessions: Is Narrative Limitless?

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I’ve been reading much more than writing in recent weeks. Now I’m starting to realize that my extensive reading was too deeply affecting how I was thinking about my writing. Continue reading “Creativity Sessions: Is Narrative Limitless?” →

Creativity Sessions: The Minutiae of Characterization

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People are weird.

I don’t mean in the cynical I-don’t-want-to-engage-with-anyone way. I mean in the myriad ways in which we generally conduct ourselves; our ticks, habits, vocal cadence, personality quirks, the way we laugh.

Think about your closest three or four friends; the people whom you (hopefully) trust and know intimately. Don’t they each have a distinct laugh, whether the high-pitched titter or the soulful bellow? And, not one of them speaks in exactly the same manner, with the exact same inflection or vocabulary. Kind of weird, right? Continue reading “Creativity Sessions: The Minutiae of Characterization” →

The Most Poignant, Succinct Summation of Storytelling

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The art of storytelling fascinates me. Over the course of the last few years, through much reading and working writing into an everyday habit, I have developed my own theories and ideas about the nature of storytelling. Some of these I have tried to put into my own words, perhaps successfully, perhaps not. Continue reading “The Most Poignant, Succinct Summation of Storytelling” →