Playing the Long Game in Writing Success #authorproblems #writingtips #writingstyle
Reality Coaching for Writers
Are you chasing book sales, rankings, or five-star reviews? What happens when the applause fades?
In this clip, we share a hard truth every author needs to hear: if you’re in it for recognition, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. But if you’re playing the “long game”—writing to change lives, not for the praise of others or for profit—then the end is in the future.
This video is for every writer who’s felt unseen, #discouraged, or ready to give up. Don’t quit. Refocus. The mission is bigger than the metrics.
👉 Watch now and be reminded why you started writing in the first place.
#ChristianWriters #FaithBasedWriting #ChristianAuthors #WritingForGod #AuthorMotivation #KingdomWork #ChristianPublishing #LongGame #ChristianEncouragement #CalledToWrite
#ChristianWriter #ChristianAuthor #FaithBlogger #ChristianBlog #SheWritesTruth #ChristianLife #BibleStudy #AmWriting #ChristianLiving #ChristianBooks
Eddie Jones and Diana Flegal offer personalized coaching for writers.
For more information, check out:
“Blessed” Scary Mysteries—for Young & Old — coolghoulgazette.com
Forced Into a Pirate Crew, Ricky Faces Life and Death Decisions
Forced into a pirate crew, Ricky never wanted this life. But when the choice is to steal or be thrown overboard, which will he choose? In the Caribbean Chronicles, discover how pirates of old were sea-going gangs who preyed on the young and poor.
Mastering Scene Structure
Writing Tips for Students and Creatives
If you want to craft compelling scenes that keep readers engaged, you need a structured approach. Whether you’re using a free AI writing generator or relying on traditional methods, these essential elements will guide your storytelling and help you master scene structure.
1. Define Your Lead’s Goal 📝
Your protagonist must enter each scene with a clear objective. This goal drives the narrative forward and creates a sense of purpose for both the character and the reader.
2. Introduce Conflict & Promise Pain ⚡
Without conflict, your scene lacks tension. Make sure your character faces emotional, mental, or physical challenges. Suspense builds between the promise and the payoff.
3. Progression: From Goal to Conflict to Disaster 🔄
The scene should escalate, moving from the initial objective to obstacles and ultimately to a moment of disaster that forces change. This creates momentum and keeps readers invested.
4. Reveal New Information 🔍
A strong scene uncovers something fresh—an old secret, a hidden motive, or a shift in perspective. The discovery should push the story in a new direction.
5. Sprinkle in Spice ✨
Whether through humor, wit, or a touching moment, adding variety keeps the scene dynamic. Even in dark moments, a bit of contrast enhances emotional impact.
6. Show Conflict Between Characters 🤝⚡
Good scenes don’t just focus on external events. They highlight interpersonal struggles that reveal deeper layers of your characters.
7. Deepen Character Development 🛠️
A well-crafted scene should expose flaws, strengths, and emotional depth. Readers connect with characters who evolve through their experiences.
8. Characterize Through Reaction 🎭
How your character responds to challenges reveals their personality. A fearful retreat or a bold move forward can reshape how readers perceive them.
9. Build Suspense ⏳
Every scene should make the reader ask: What happens next? Hold back information just long enough to maintain intrigue.
10. Transform the Story or Character 🔄
A scene should leave something altered—a relationship, a belief, or a goal. Change is the foundation of compelling storytelling.
11. Restate Your Lead’s Goal as Necessary 📌
If the scene shifts, remind readers (subtly) what your protagonist wants and what’s at stake.
12. Never Let Your Lead Relax 😰
If your character gets too comfortable, the story stalls. Maintain urgency by increasing risks or introducing new obstacles.
13. Raise the Stakes 🎲
The potential for failure should escalate. The more your character stands to lose, the more engaged your reader will be.
14. Deliver the Promised Pain ⚠️
Earlier, you set up pain—now make it real. Emotional wounds, physical danger, or moral dilemmas should land with impact.
15. Set Up Future Scenes 🔗
Scenes should interconnect. Lay groundwork for what’s coming so the reader feels a sense of progression.
16. Payoff the Suspense 🎭
A scene should resolve some tension but leave room for more. A mix of answers and new mysteries keeps readers turning pages.
17. Introduce a New Wrinkle 🔀
Nothing should be easy. A last-minute complication keeps the tension high and prevents predictability.
18. Leave the Character’s World Messy 🌪️
Avoid neat resolutions. Unresolved conflict is what keeps stories alive. Readers should feel the need to continue to see how things unfold.
19. Force Your Main Character to Choose 🎭
By the end of the scene, your protagonist should face a tough decision. Two or more paths should present dilemmas that push them further into the story’s conflict.
Refining Your Scene with Free Tools
If you’re struggling with structure, consider using a free AI writing generator or free script writing software to refine your drafts. These tools can help you brainstorm ideas, reorganize your scene flow, and enhance clarity.
For those looking for essay writing tips, these same principles apply to storytelling essays and analytical writing. Creative writing tips often overlap with fundamental writing tips for students, ensuring your work remains structured and engaging.
Keep refining, keep experimenting, and most importantly—keep writing!
Escalating Conflict in Storytelling
Writing Tips for Students and Creatives
📖 In storytelling, escalating both external and internal conflicts is essential to deepen your lead character’s journey and keep readers engaged. Here are several strategies to intensify these conflicts:
External Conflicts
🔥 Escalating Threats
🔍 Introduce increasingly formidable adversaries or obstacles.
A detective might start with a simple case that unravels into a complex conspiracy, endangering their life and loved ones.
⏳ Compounding Misfortunes
⚠️ Pile up challenges that exacerbate the protagonist’s situation.
Losing a job could lead to financial ruin, straining relationships, and forcing unethical decisions.
⏰ Time Constraints
💣 Impose deadlines that heighten tension.
A character racing against time to defuse a bomb or find a cure for a spreading disease adds urgency and stress.
🌪️ Environmental Hazards
🏔️ Place characters in settings that naturally escalate danger.
Natural disasters, war zones, or hostile terrains force characters to confront external perils.
⚔️ Betrayal by Allies
💔 Have trusted friends or allies turn against the protagonist.
This leads to feelings of isolation and vulnerability.
Internal Conflicts
⚖️ Moral Dilemmas
🤔 Confront characters with choices that challenge their ethics.
For example, sacrificing one person to save many leads to intense internal struggle.
😨 Fear and Insecurity
🛑 Exploit the character’s deepest fears or insecurities.
A hero afraid of failure might hesitate at crucial moments, intensifying their internal battle.
🔀 Conflicting Desires
💼 Present mutually exclusive goals.
Choosing between career advancement and personal relationships forces tough decisions.
🕰️ Past Trauma
💭 Resurface unresolved issues from the character’s past.
A previous loss or mistake may affect their current decisions and stability.
🌀 Identity Crisis
🔎 Challenge the character’s sense of self.
Unexpected heritage revelations or shifts in personal beliefs lead to profound self-doubt.
By intertwining these escalating external and internal conflicts, you can create a compelling narrative that drives your lead character from bad to worse, maintaining tension and reader investment throughout the story.
✍️ How do you escalate conflict in your stories? Share your thoughts below!