We're a domesticated bunch that suffers cognitive dissonance from First World living. I mean HUNTING? I don't even know how to track tacos. The post Are We Too “Domesticated” to Write Great Stories? appeared first on Kristen Lamb ..read more

We're rarely limited by our talent, yet we're all too often hobbled by impatience. Drudgery makes us cave in too soon. The post Fortitude: Dream, Do, Then Keep on DOING Day After Day appeared first on Kristen Lamb ..read more

Schadenfreude is the pleasure we feel at the misfortune of others. This ingrained sense of right and wrong drives our desire to seek justice. The post Schadenfreude: Misfortune, Revenge, Justice & Catharsis appeared first on Kristen Lamb ..read more

Stakes, bizarrely enough, are a key ingredient missing in many stories. If the characters don't have skin in the game, why would the audience? The post Stakes: How to Hook an Audience All the Way to THE END appeared first on Kristen Lamb ..read more

How do we build an audience without coming across as a stalker crossbred with an MLM rep? This is no easy task, especially since most creative professionals don’t exactly shine in this area. Face it. If we’d been good at high pressure sales, we’d be languishing on our yacht along with other people who excel … The post How to Build an Audience, No Duct Tape Required appeared first on Kristen Lamb ..read more

Ah, culture. Put more than two humans together and somewhere, somehow they will find something to fight about.... The post Culture, Conflict & Creating Fresh Stories People LOVE appeared first on Kristen Lamb ..read more

How can we connect to an audience (readers) who will love our stories enough to buy, support and spread the word? This is the ever-present challenge on every author's mind. If it isn't, then it should be. The post How to Create YOUR Audience: Identify, Connect, Convert appeared first on Kristen Lamb ..read more

Wounds matter in life and in fiction. We've all been hurt in some way and to some degree. Just goes with being human. No one gets out alive. The post Wounds & Characters: The Damaged REBORN! appeared first on Kristen Lamb ..read more

We are storytellers! While we will never be out of a job, this doesn't mean we get a pass to do our job the exact same way forever. The post Help! I Think I am Having a Mid-Write Crisis! appeared first on Kristen Lamb ..read more

Bad decisions make the best stories. If we want to write about people who make the right choices, who plan their work and work their plan, who always keep a cool head, then that is the realm of self-help not fiction. Fiction is about good people—who mean well—doing selfish, foolish or downright dumb things. When we have characters who have all the looks, skills, talents, and can be counted on to always do the right thing—and do it with poise and grace. This can morph into what is called a Mary Sue Character. Granted, in the greater scheme of things, some decisions are better than others. Not ..read more