User blog:WaglingtonŒ/Understanding and Harnessing Imagination (Compilation Blog)

One of the biggest problems content producers on this website have experienced is the inability to gain inspiration and direct yourselves in a way that would make writing easier and more enjoyable to them. Taking this into account, I've spent upwards of a week reseraching ways to make writing easier for any who give this blog a quick read.

I'll be updating it semi-regularly with new methods/tips.

Befriending Writer's Block
Possibly the most impactful of all these methods, a trusted fellow writer by the name of Chimalus addressed the issue of writer's block/the inability to find inspiration. If you find yourself unable to tap into your imagination, watch.



Character Motivations
Writing on this wiki often doesn't go deep enough. I've seen one too many one dimensional chracters on this wiki as of late. When you find yourself drawing up a concept for a new character, consider these points:

http://www.shesnovel.com/character-motivations/

Perhaps even more importantly, when creating conflict and dealing with your primary antagonist, follow these steps:


 * Raise the stakes. Think of 5 awful things that could happen to your character throughout the story and then make at least one of those things occur. That is when your character will be at their most vulnerable, putting their range of emotions (shock, fear, guilt, anger, etc.) on display.
 * Place your character in between a rock and a hard place. At some point in your story, your character will have to make a choice. To amplify the emotions during that time, ensure that the choice isn’t clear. No matter what your character chooses, something valuable must be lost because of it. This will make their decision more gut-wrenching and suspenseful.
 * Make their personalities clash. Your main character and your villain should not be capable of being friends in an alternate reality. They need to drive each other mad! When people are angered, they make rash decisions and act against their true nature. This needs to happen to up the emotional ante of your story.
 * Demonstrate their fear. Fear is one of the most primal, and thus most powerful, motivators. Many people lose their good sense when they are afraid and make decisions they later come to regret. Give your characters something realistic to fear and your readers will be downright terrified.

Source: http://www.shesnovel.com/how-to-create-a-powerful-antagonist-the-epic-villain-breakdown/

There is MUCH more to creating deep characters. Give the entire article a good read and take all the words to heart. It's saved me a few times.

Becoming a Productive Writer
Coming back to writer's block; consider this a sort of extention of the previous video:

http://www.nownovel.com/blog/how-to-become-a-productive-writer/

All completely tangible and practical methods. Some are easier said than done, but good writing only comes through patience, both with yourself and the people around you.

to be updated...