Interesting discussions about world-building, from a diverse collection of writers – Alastair Reynolds, Nnedi Okorafor, M. John Harrison, etc.
technique
To think about when killing characters
In fiction, we remember the deaths that make us sad — ScienceDaily
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201217113002.htm
Meaningful deaths (death of someone that redeemed themselves or sacrificed themselves for someone else).
Happy deaths (The hero finally kills the evil villain).
Varies by genre, but across all genres, people tend to remember meaningful deaths more than others.
Something to think about re characters
The 16 facial expressions most common to emotional situations worldwide — ScienceDaily
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201216155203.htm
8 tips to beat distractions while working from home
https://www.fastcompany.com/90502236/8-tips-to-beat-distractions-while-working-from-home
And how many of us are working from home when we’re writing, composing, painting?
Good tips there.
Something to keep in mind when creating new cultures
For us science fiction and fantasy writers.
Mary Astell called out ‘bad custom’ centuries ahead of her time
Advice to storytellers from me
Tell the story that needs to be told, in the way it needs to be told, to the length it needs to be told.
Don’t poison a story by insisting it must be an apple when it’s really an orange.
Don’t stunt a story by forcing it beyond its natural growth nor by forcing it to grow in a box too small.
“Genres” and “standard story lenghs” are publisher’s artefacts, not part of storytelling.
Breakthroughs don’t come through abiding by conventions and working in boxes.
WRITER BEWARE® – SFWA
Useful information about scams and shady operators targetting writers:
https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/
Don’t let your hope to be published trick you into falling for a scam. Do your due diligence and check things out before you jump!
Found something that might help me!
How to make deadlines less painful
It’s all about managing your emotions.
How you can stop deadlines from stressing you out
Courtesy of FastCo.Exist.
How to increase creativity in your brain
This is how you train your brain to be more creative
They sound like good ideas to me!