Communication Archives

How to Write Complex Characters Your Readers Can Relate To

How is it possible that people can relate to a fish named Nemo? Why is Annie Wilkes (the kidnapper in Stephen King’s Misery) so terrifying? You’re not one-dimensional, nor is anyone else. Real people are complex, and fictional characters must reflect that complexity if they’re going to be true to life and relatable. We’ve put together some insights into complex characters from Stephen King, Robert McKee, Lisa Cron, and Thomas C. Foster. Keep reading to learn how to write complex characters that will help bring your story to life.

Basic Story Structure Is More Complex Than You Might Think

If you have a beginning, a middle, and an end, do you have a story? Is that all there is to story structure? Story-writing experts generally agree that effective stories loosely follow the same pattern. This is called story structure, and most everyone knows that the basic story structure is beginning-middle-end. But, it’s not quite that simple. Read more to get advice from Rob Biesenbach and Robert McKee on how to leverage the basic story structure for the greatest impact.

Not Nice: Quotes by Aziz Gazipura on People-Pleasing

What are the best Not Nice quotes? Do you do everything people ask you to do? Being nice isn’t necessarily a bad quality to have. But Not Nice by Aziz Gazipura says that society’s fixation on niceness has changed why people are nice in the first place. Below are the best Not Nice quotes that represent Gazipura’s arguments.

How to Use Symbolism in a Story: Advice From Stephen King

What difference can symbolism make in a story? When and how is it appropriate and functional? Each story should have a protagonist with a goal, obstacles to the protagonist’s goal, and a theme. But, above and beyond those basic elements, you should infuse complexity into a story to make it more compelling and interesting. Symbolism is one way to do this. Keep reading to get advice from Stephen King and Thomas C. Foster on how and when to use symbolism in a story.

How to Write a Fiction Book: Advice From Expert Storytellers

Do you ever read books you wish you’d written? Do you want to see your own book on the bookstore and library shelves? We’ve collected and distilled fiction-writing advice from successful authors and storytelling experts, including Stephen King, Robert McKee, and Lisa Cron. We’ve highlighted common ideas shared by many of these diverse experts as well as areas in which they disagree about this highly personal art form. Read more to learn how to write a fiction book.

Voice in a Story: How to Reveal Yourself to Your Audience

What does it mean to infuse your stories with your unique voice? How authentic should it be? You’re unique, so your voice as a storyteller is unique. No one else can provide the same blend of experience, personality, and style. Your unique voice is a powerful way to connect with your audience and set your work apart from the crowd. Keep reading to learn how to use your voice in a story and let your audience in on you as a person.

How to Choose a Topic for a Speech: The 2 Things to Consider

How do you choose a topic for a speech? When public speaking, what topics are most powerful? When you think about how to choose a topic for a speech, you should consider two things: what topics you’re passionate about and what topics you’re knowledgeable about. If you choose the right topic, you’ll be motivated and capable of delivering a powerful speech. Read this article to learn about these two factors and how they impact the quality of your speech.

How to Write a Prepared Speech With Impact: 6 Expert Strategies

What’s the best way to write a powerful speech? Can you learn how to write a prepared speech with impact? To learn how to write a prepared speech that makes a lasting impression, you’ll need to consider strategies related to the following: your overall message, three or fewer key ideas to include, your opening, simplicity, engagement, and your closing. If you can do all these things well, you’ll have a very powerful speech. Read on for more about speech-writing strategies for impactful public speaking.

How to Practice Public Speaking and Calm Your Nerves

What are the best ways to practice public speaking? What should you do if you feel anxious about an upcoming speech? To practice public speaking, you should rehearse your talking speed, your body language, and your hand gestures. Running through your speech in private with these things in mind will improve your presentation when you give your speech in public. Read more about how to practice public speaking so that your nerves don’t get the best of you in front of an audience.

How to Engage an Audience: Open Strong & Connect

How do you give a speech that will grab and keep the attention of the audience? What does it take to make a speech engaging? To engage an audience, you should focus on creating a strong opening and then finding a way to connect with them emotionally. Learning strategies to do these two things will help you give a more effective speech. To learn how to engage an audience, check out the following tips and strategies.