How to Write a Compelling First Page That Hooks Readers Instantly
AprilDavila
by April Davila
3d ago
I’ve lost count of how many books I’ve picked up, read the first page, and set back down. It’s not that the writing was bad – it might have been ..read more
Visit website
Mastering the Art of Character Names
AprilDavila
by April Davila
1w ago
Crafting character names may seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of writing a story, but the truth is, names matter more than we often realize. A well-chosen ..read more
Visit website
Navigating Writing Challenges: When to Pause, When to Push Through
AprilDavila
by John Soriano
1w ago
As writers, we’ve all been there – staring at a stubborn chapter, a tricky character, or a plot that refuses to cooperate. It can feel like running into a brick ..read more
Visit website
Setting Writing Goals That Actually Work
AprilDavila
by April Davila
2w ago
The start of a new year always feels like a fresh slate, doesn’t it? It’s that perfect time to set writing goals and dream about what’s possible for your craft ..read more
Visit website
Words, Pictures, or Feelings: How Your Thinking Style Shapes Your Writing
AprilDavila
by April Davila
1M ago
Discover how your thinking style shapes your writing. Embrace your strengths, expand your creativity, and craft richer, more dynamic stories ..read more
Visit website
The Indispensable Art of Fiction Writing
AprilDavila
by April Davila
9M ago
In our relentlessly practical world, where efficiency and productivity are often prized above all else, fiction writing can sometimes be dismissed as a frivolous pastime—a luxury that serves no real purpose. But those of us who dwell in the realms of imagination, who spend our days conversing with characters that have never actually breathed air, know differently. Fiction is not merely important; it is vital. Imagine, for a moment, a world without stories. What would our existence look like without the tales of love, adventure, tragedy, and triumph that have been passed down through generatio ..read more
Visit website
Why I Write
AprilDavila
by April Davila
9M ago
Last week, I was in an online discussion with a group of fellow writers, and a thought-provoking topic surfaced: Why do we write? What drives us to spend countless hours creating characters, crafting worlds, and subjecting these figments of our imagination to various trials and tribulations? The answers to these questions can be (and are) as varied as the writers themselves, but for me, the explanation touches something deeply personal and, perhaps, a little existential. Life is Short I write because of a profound dissatisfaction—a recognition and a resentment, really—that I only get to live ..read more
Visit website
Embracing the Messy Middle
AprilDavila
by April Davila
10M ago
In writing a novel, there comes a pivotal stage that just about every author faces affectionately known as the “messy middle.” It’s that stage where the initial spark has dimmed slightly and the end still seems a long way off. During this phase, many writers find themselves questioning everything from their plot to their character development, often leading to a daunting and existential: “What am I even doing?” If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, rest assured, you’re not alone. It’s Normal to Question Everything The messy middle is a rite of passage for most writers. It’s where ..read more
Visit website
Embracing Conflict: Why Being Hard on Your Characters Creates Compelling Stories
AprilDavila
by April Davila
10M ago
Recently, I had a discussion with a client who is crafting a novel about a woman who experiences mysterious blackouts, waking up in unfamiliar places without any recollection of her whereabouts. The premise itself is intriguing, but our conversation took an interesting turn when we delved into the concept of challenging our protagonists with compelling conflict—something I’ve noticed many writers, especially woman writers (we’re far too nice), often shy away from. The Reluctance to Challenge Our Characters As writers, we create characters from the depths of our imagination, imbue them with q ..read more
Visit website
Creative Space in a Busy Life
AprilDavila
by April Davila
10M ago
A couple weeks ago, my son was on spring break and we went to see the Da Vinci exhibit at the California Science Center. It was an excellent exhibit. They basically hired a bunch of craftsmen to create the things that were in Da Vinci’s journals and bring them to life and then they ranked them all how well they actually worked. Some of them worked really well and some of them didn’t work at all. Some of them were just terrible ideas, but still fun to see brought to life. The thing that really struck me as I was walking through the exhibit was that this was a man who had time to just think an ..read more
Visit website

Follow AprilDavila on FeedSpot

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
OR