This week: Time for a Change Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn
A newsletter focusing changes and the future. Sometimes the writer needs to make a change to a method or genre and other times it's the character who needs some change. |
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Times are changing, or so I hope. The year 2020 is almost over and I'm sure many of us are counting down the days with hopes of the next year being a major change compared to the challenges we currently face. Some of us are in the winter months while others might be getting some nice warmth of summer. Either way, with this year, I think we're all ready to get into something a little different. Sure, thee month of January is known as the time of resolutions and making changes but maybe we can start a little early this time. As writers, we have a variety of options in how to make changes for our selves and for our characters. Here are some things to consider when it comes to making writing changes:
Characters Can Change
Often near the beginning of a story, the main character has to face a change whether they like it or not. The story needs to break the character from their status quo (normal life) in order to get things happening but that doesn't have to be the only change that happens. In fact, it probably shouldn't be the only change since the character often needs to show growth throughout the story to keep the reader interested. However, as we're writing the story, there are ways we can make changes for the character to get things going or make the story even better.
How else can the characters change?
Maybe some element of personality needs to change. Or there needs some depth in their backstory in order to give the character more motivation. You could consider getting rid of a side character or even adding someone else to the mix in order to shake things up. Test out a few options. You don't have to delete anything, just write a scene or chapter a few different ways and see which one works out best for the story. It can be nice to have options.
Change the Plot
Bigger than making a little change in character can be deciding to do something different with the overall story. This is never an easy decision and may be best when preparing for a rewrite though can also happen in draft one. It doesn't have to be the main one, or well, it could change but you don't have to go so drastic unless it's really evident that the story doesn't work. Sometimes, a small shift in side plot, an addition of a twist or something a little easier can help to really bring the story to the next level.
Rewriting is an important aspect of telling a story and while some can involve editing methods, fixing sentence structures and those types of fixes, there are other times where you will have to make a bigger change to what is happening. Don't be afraid to try things out, to make that change and take the story in a different direction than you first planned or expected. It can be fun and just make sure not to delete the first draft because if one change doesn't work you can always go back to the original.
Make a Writing Change
Aside from the different aspects of story, characters and such, there are some different changes we can make as the writer. The changes we make to ourselves can be just as important. We can change how we write, editing methods, change a location or even try something new with a short story. One change I do at times when I'm stuck in a story, for example, is to switch from writing on a computer and instead write in a notebook with a pen. It hurts my hand a little, but the shift can help me break through when I feel blocked.
There are also changes we can make that might be direct in regards to writing but they will have affects that might help influence aspects like how we write. Whether it's to do some more reading during the year, maybe focus more on our emotional, mental or even physical health. When we make a change to ourselves and our lives, it will have differing results that can also influence things in our writing. Whatever you need to do, in order to make a change, and see what happens.
Soon it will be a new year and it might be a time to make a change.
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Where do you need to make a change in your writing or story?
Last month, I discussed castles for the fantasy newsletter. There are many different types and ways to use them within a story. Here are a few comments sent in over the topic of castles:
Comment by Santeven Quokklaus 
I have just recently been using motte and bailey castles and full-on city-state defended towns as different castle types in my fantasy setting. The motte-and-bailey especially is a great piece of construction that lends itself so well to set battle pieces.
Comment by HollyMerry
I have several castles in my epic fantasy novels. The first one is based on the Scottish castle at Tullochgorm where folktales say that a clan of brownies (a small type of house elf) work to keep the castle tidy for the humans that live there. This is the setting in which the heroine of my novel, brownie girl Aira, grows up.
Comment by Paul 
I had a friend in the late 60’s that was a professional magician and I was his guest at the Magic Castle in Hollywood Hills several times. I was a rank amateur and got to see some incredible performers. I think Slydini, a coin manipulator was the best I’ve ever seen. Sitting 2 feet from his hands I could never catch the manipulation.
Here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE8-ib8ytHk is a YouTube performance I saw him do while I was sitting directly in front of him, closer than Dick Cavit. I never looked up at his patter, it’s all for distraction, and never caught his actions. Watching that YouTube video sent chills through me, it was so strong a memory.
Thank you for the memories
Stay safe and enjoy life, it’s still a great place to hang out.
Paul
🐸🙏🏼
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Fantasy: December 02, 2020 Issue [#10499]
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