Musings of a Sparrow….
My thoughts about God, writing, and life in general….
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Story Structure Series: The Fichtean Curve
In today’s post, we will explore a structure commonly used in various genres, including satire, speculative fiction, crime, and thrillers/suspense: the Fichtean Curve….
Story Structure: Freytag’s Pyramid
Last week, we examined story structure and its essential role in storytelling. Story (or narrative) structure is the order in which events in a story are relayed to the reader or audience. It can be thought of as the scaffolding of storytelling, holding the narrative together in a logical sequence or order from the beginning to the end. This week, we will study Freytag’s Pyramid, and the next post will explore the Fichtean Curve.
Story Structure Series: What is Story Structure?
Story structure, or narrative structure, makes up the basic foundation of storytelling. With a sound structure, a story rambles and makes no sense. So, what is story structure? It is the order in which events in a story are relayed to the reader or audience. It can be thought of as the scaffolding of storytelling, which holds the narrative together in a logical sequence or order from the beginning to the end....
Character Series: The Deuteragonist
The Deuteragonist is the second most important and present character in a story next to the Protagonist. Also known as the “secondary main character,” they can be a friend, ally, love interest, or even a foe for the Protagonist....
Character Series: The Antagonist
Equally important to the story as the Protagonist is the subject of this week’s post: the Antagonist. Without an Antagonist or Antagonistic Force causing opposition to or conflict for the Protagonist’s efforts to reach their goal, there is no plot. No plot, no story....
Reading List for September/October 2024
Fall is quickly approaching, and with cooler weather comes the idea of cuddling with a blanket, sipping a Pumpkin Spice Latte or tea, and enjoying a good book....
Character Series: The Protagonist
In earlier blog posts, we explored the five main elements of a story. One of those main elements was character. Over the next few weeks, we will examine the types of characters commonly found in literature. Specifically, we will explore the roles of the Protagonist, the Antagonist, the Deuterogamist, the Love Interest, the Confidant, and the Foil. This week, our focus will be on the Protagonist: the role of this character type, the characteristics that define it, and ways to create a strong example of a Protagonist in a story….
My Review of The Last Exchange by Charles Martin
When I first chose to write a review of Charles Martin’s novel, The Last Exchange, I intended to write a traditional review discussing all the literary and thematic elements of the novel. However, after reading it a few times in preparation, I knew I had to change things. This book moved me and hit tender spots in my soul, and there is no way I could do it justice in a ‘normal’ review….
Why Writers Need to Travel—Thoughts from My Trip to Ontario
For two weeks this month, I traveled by car from Leduc, Alberta, to Port Dover, Ontario, and back with my husband and mother-in-law to visit my younger daughter. It was a pleasure trip to see the country and spend time with a loved one, but as I rode some long and lonely stretches of road in northern Ontario, it occurred to me that travel is one of the best things a writer can do to spur creativity and add depth to one’s projects….
Reading List for July/August 2024
The following is the list of books I want to read in July and August 2024. I will review a few of them in the future, so stick around to read those posts beginning in August.
A Taste of: From Sackcloth and Ashes
At this point, both to promote my novel and get feedback, I’m sharing the first chapter of From Sackcloth and Ashes on my blog as it currently stands. I’m asking you to read it and give me your constructive critique….
Waiting on God: My Renewed Vision for My Writing
As I wrote in a previous post, I attended the Story Embers 2024 Summit and took away many valuable lessons to help me improve as a writer. Still, perhaps the most important lesson was this: My writing belongs to God—I’ve committed it to Him for His use and glory….
My Painting Hobby-How I Paint Flowers from a Photograph
As a creative soul, I recognize the need for downtime to allow my ADHD brain to rest and recuperate. I enjoy expressing my creativity predominantly through the written word. However, I enjoy crafting, cross-stitching, and making country-style décor signs. I’ve recently taken up acrylic painting.
What I Learned at the Story Embers 2024 Summit
I attended my first Story Embers 2024 Summit this year. Story Embers is an organization to “help Christian writers enthrall readers with honest storytelling that depicts both beauty & brokenness.” (storyembers.org) Each year, they host a virtual summit with several keynote speakers and workshops over three days. I was fortunate to attend all but one live session over three days in late May. Fantastic presenters offered a great deal of valuable and encouraging information, and I learned too many things to cover in one blog post, but one main thought impacted me, which I will share with you.
Finding Strength in Faith: Resetting After Loss Through Christ
In times of loss, when the shifting sands under our feet threaten to cause us to flounder and fall, we can find solace in the rock-solid love and grace of Jesus Christ.
The Fifth Element of a Story: Theme
Every story contains five essential elements. Previously, we explored character, setting, plot, and conflict. In this post, we will look at what is at the heart of every compelling story: the theme….
The Fourth Element of a Story: Conflict
A compelling story is made up of five essential elements. Previously, we looked at the first three elements of a story: Character, Setting, and Plot. If character is whom or what drives the plot the plot and plot is the skeleton on which the rest of the elements are supported, Conflict is the heartbeat of storytelling, the driving force that propels characters through their journey. It captivates audiences with its dynamic interplay of tension and resolution….
The Third Element of a Story: Plot
Over the past two weeks, we explored two of a story's five crucial elements: Character and Setting. The character answers who the story is about and the people who act out the sequence of events in the story. The Setting, a character, a symbol, or both fixes the story in a time and place and answers the social and cultural context of what goes on. In this post, we will explore the third element of a story: Plot….
The Second Element of a Story: Setting
Stories are made up of elements necessary for them to work, make sense, and exist. There are many elements, but five main elements include character, setting, plot, conflict, and theme. In my last post, we explored the first element of a story: character. In this post, we will examine the second element of a story: setting….
The First Element of a Story: Character
As defined in my last post, “A Character is someone or something that does something in the plot of a story. Sometimes, they don’t do much at all. Some are only referred to by other characters. They can be a person, animal, or other being. In some stories, objects, groups, forces of nature, and settings can take on the character role….