Image Source: IMDb What I have learned from studying the craft of storytelling is that often, stories that are effective in making us care, are stories in which a character drives the plot. Netflix’s “You” Season 2 is a great example of that. This new season follows Joe Goldberg to Los Angeles as he attempts to […]
You Season 2: How Character Drives Story Read More »
Did you know that writers need warm ups just like athletes do? When a runner prepares for a race, they have running practice. Before they run for the day, they warm up with some stretches. Warming up loosens up the muscles and prepares the body for movement. It’s the same with writing. Before you jump
3 Writing Warm Up Exercises to Try Before Your Next Writing Session Read More »
“Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within” by Natalie Goldberg is a book for writers who want to learn about their writer-self. Perhaps Goldberg’s most well-known book, it is a helpful guide to unlocking our writing process. It covers topics such as writing as a practice, the writing process, where to draw inspiration from, and
Book Recommendations: “Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within” Read More »
Let’s be honest, there’s no one way to get ideas. In fact, half the time we don’t even know where they come from. Your brain collects information, makes associations and boom, an idea emerges to the surface. However, there are ways to stimulate your mind. I have found that using a set of questions helps
Getting Ideas for Stories Read More »
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Fellow Writers and Story Lovers! I hope you all enjoy this special time with your loved ones. And for those who don’t always enjoy this time of year, I hope you find at least one small thing to smile about. Take this time to reflect on your year, to
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Read More »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taE3PwurhYM “Klaus” (2019) is the latest holiday animated film to hit Netflix this year. I will admit that the first and only time I’d seen the trailer for this movie, I thought very little of it. I did like the animation style and thought maybe I’d check it out one of day…with no actual plans
The Beautiful Storytelling of “Klaus” 2019 Read More »
This summer I went to a free writing workshop hosted at Bryant Park here in NYC in hopes of finding new ways to improve my writing. Every year they host these workshops and offer a variety of writing courses from fiction to memoir writing. The workshop I attended was about writing short stories. I walked
Using “Model Stories” to Improve Your Writing Read More »
I feel the need to start this article off by explaining my complicated feelings towards Lifetime and Hallmark Christmas movies. So, if you don’t already know, Lifetime and Hallmark Christmas releases are an event. They begin some time in November and last to the end of December, sometimes with two or three original premieres every week.
Why I’m Done With Lifetime (and Hallmark) Christmas Movies Read More »
So, I’ve written my first draft. Now what? It’s time to revise! Revision When it comes to the writing process, the bulk of the work lies in the revision and editing stages because this is where you take the mush of words and ideas that you churned out in the first draft, and turn them
Here’s What Happened When I Used the “Rewriting” Revision Method Read More »
Happy Holidays fellow writers! With Thanksgiving around the corner, I’m taking this time to thank my readers for supporting Shantal Writes. I made this blog to help writers like me, who are struggling to get words on the page, to get started. It has been such a joy to get to share my experiences with
Giving Thanks This Holiday Season Read More »
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