: People are their own worst enemies. In my case, instant Karma sometimes gets me. There is hardship, people help. But, story endings may be unknown. If you were writing about my neck of

People are their own worst enemies. In my case, instant Karma sometimes gets me. There is hardship, people help. But, story endings may be unknown.

If you were writing about my neck of the woods you would know of my ambitions, problems that surround me, what I'm doing about them, how others are coping, with loss, love, kids, and the human condition.

Find what those are for your characters.

In my storyboard I ask: Does a fool ever win? Can I overcome grim forces. Does the hero get the girl? What motivates oppression? Can I feel for my antagonists? Are there reassuring gems found in all the chaos? These are elements I find interesting in my own life, and in other lives around mine. I find irony, poetic justice, human failings, and "order in the universe" compelling plot lines, because they speak truth to me.

You may be able to use these ideas with your characters to develop their stories.

We all have stories to tell. Drawing from our own life and others we know provides a treasure trove to draw from. The challenge lies in constructing believable characters who bear no specific resemblance to your own family and friends, lest they might feel wrongly depicted. Interweaving persistent human traits and enduring cultural themes helps your storyboard resonate with your reader. Making a simple storyboard is the place to start. Add details, trials and tribulations, unintended consequences; complexity is interesting if plausible.

The story may reveal itself with these exercises.

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: Should the narrator use pseudonyms in writing? I have characters who have to use false names. Should the narrator use their real name or false name? For example, if person A was being called

: Define "illustrate". As a successful technical communicator since 1998, I must confess I have the visual-arts sensibilities of a gerbil. But I have done well-received diagrams of complex-system

: If I am writing from the first-person perspective of a non-English speaker in first person, what should I do? I have a character in a book I wish to write in the first person; however, one

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