The Every Day Novelist

Simon says: A book that has stuck with me for years is one I was rooting for the bad guy and the detective even though they were pitted against each other. I wanted them both to succeed… impossible as that was. I’d love to hear your thoughts on why it … The post Question 1021: Villains and Antiheroes appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Nichole asks: What is the Every Day Novelist’s origin story? The post Question 1020: EDN Origin Story appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Simon asks: Do you add any randomness into your characters to give them texture and interest? Archivos The post Question 1019: Adding Character Texture appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Nicole asks: What exactly are writing prompts? Are they helpful? Resources Mentioned  Open Vistas: After the PeakThe Society of Miserable Bastards by J. Daniel SawyerBuried Alive in the BluesChicken Noodle Gravity by J. Daniel SawyerSuave Rob’s Double-X Derring-Do by J. Daniel Sawyer My Luck, by Mel Todd The post Question 1018: Writing Prompts (What Are They Good For?) appeared first on The Every...

Simon asks: Is it better for writers to stick to characters that are like them? Are the costs of trying to write something outside of your own experience too high? Resources:   Adventures of Huck Finn by Mark TwainStarship Troopers by Robert A HeinleinThe Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel HawthorneThe Foundation by Isaac … The post Question 1017: Staying In Your Lane appeared first on The Every Day Nove...

Simon asks: What is the young adult genre? Is it just young protagonists, or is there more to it than that? Resources Mentioned Secrets of the Heinlein JuvenileHarry Potter seriesTwilight by Stephanie Meyer The post Question 1016: What is YA? appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Ed asks: How can a writer oppose the moral panic du jour without being consumed by it? Resources MentionedAdventures of Huck Finn by Mark TwainStarship Troopers by Robert A HeinleinThe Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel HawthorneEvery Day Novelist Success Stories: Mel ToddMel Todd on KDP Select Archivos The post Question 1015: Opposing the Current Thing (and State of the Podcasters) appeared first on The...

Charles has feedback on mid-life crises and writing. Resources Mentioned: Watership Down by Richard AdamsLittle House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls WilderBill and Ted’s Excellent AdventureQuarter Share by Nathan LowellPure Heat, by ML Buchman The post Feedback: Mid-Life Crises appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Simon asks: Can you recommend any particularly great uses of an unreliable narrator? I mean, aside from Suave Rob… Resources Mentioned: Suave Rob’s Amazing AdventuresThe Usual SuspectsAn Instance of the Fingerpost, by Iain PearsLolita, by Vladmir NabakovThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark TwainA Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, by … The post Questions 1014: Unreliable Narrator (pt...

Simon asks: Can you push an unreliable narrator too far, and just break people’s immersion? Resources Mentioned: Lolita, by Vladmir NabakovSuave Rob’s Amazing Adventures The post Questions 1013: Unreliable Narrators (pt 3 of 4) appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Simon asks: What are the pitfalls with using an unreliable narrator? Resources Mentioned:The Usual SuspectsThe Sixth SenseThe VillagePenn and Teller Fool Us The post Questions 1012: Unreliable Narrators (pt 2 of 4) appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Simon asks: Are there any rules or conventions when using an unreliable narrator? I’m writing in first-person already which feels like it would be recommended if not outright required. Resources MentionedThe Usual SuspectsAn Instance of the Fingerpost, by Iain PearsClueThe Murder of Roger Akroyd, by Agatha ChristieLolita, by Vladmir NabakovTime … The post Questions 1011: Unreliable Narrators (pt 1...

Simon has feedback on ways to experiment with genres to see what you’re good at or enjoy writing. Resources Mentioned Clarke Lantham MysteriesFeedback: Short Cuts to Identifying Your GenreFeedback: Knowing What You’re Good AtFeedback: More on Knowing What You’re Good At My Luck, by Mel Todd The post Feedback: Short Stories and Experimentation appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Ed has feedback on the episode Romance Tropes and Healthy Relationships. Archivos The post Feedback on Healthy Romances appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Roland has feedback on a recent episode. Resources Mentioned:The Living DaylightsMy Luck, by Mel Todd The post Feedback: More on Knowing What You’re Good At appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Roland has feedback on showing language barriers in fiction. Nanogang Bangs On — Day 1/Using Foreign Languages Coupling: The Girl With Two BreastsThe Journeyer by Gary JenningsAztec by Gary JenningsThe Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco The post Feedback: On Language Barriers in Books appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Charles has feedback on Nanogang Bangs On: Day 13 on figuring out what you’re good at. Resources MentionedSoullessYoung Indiana Jones and the Mystery of the BluesDirty JobsOpen Vistas: After the Peak Archivos The post Feedback: Knowing What You’re Good At appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Tim asks: What are the deadlines for submissions to the Open Vistas anthologies? The post Question 1010: Open Vista Deadlines appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Nichole asks: How do I get to older episodes of Every Day Novelist? The post Question 1009: EDN Archives appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Dawn asks: Do you consider psychology of your characters in your writing? If so, at what point in the writing process and how deeply? Resources Mentioned Star Wars original trilogyStar Wars prequel trilogyAmerican Graffiti The post Question 1008: Psychology and Character Design appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Dawn asks: How do work through personal or intellectual issues in writing without letting it take over? Resources Mentioned Gulliver’s Travels and A Modest Proposal by Jonathan SwiftThe Screwtape Letters by CS LewisLetters from the Earth (Twain)Candide by VoltaireSuave Rob’s Amazing AdventuresDown From TenThe Name of the RoseLord of the … The post Question 1007: Writing as Therapy and Polemic appe...

Nichole asks: How can I get rid of the passive voice words while still conveying past tense? Resources Mentioned: King James Version BibleDeadwoodThe Complete Works of Shakespeare Open Vistas Anthology: Swords In Space! The post Question 1006: The Passive Voice appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Dawn: How do connect my story (plot, theme, or characters) to current events without it being obvious? Resources Mentioned: Star Wars original trilogyStar Wars prequel trilogyLord of the Rings by JRR TolkienThe Zero EffectA Scandal in Bohemia The post Question 1005: Relevant but Not Topical appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .

Dawn asks: How do I balance writing healthy relationships with popular tropes that depend on unhealthy dynamics, especially in romance? Resources Mentioned: Friday by Robert A HeinleinSuave Rob’s Amazing AdventuresTwilight by Stephanie Meyer50 Shades of Gray by EL JamesThe Firm by John Grisham The post Questions 1004: Romance Tropes and Healthy Relationships appeared first on The Every Day Novelis...

Caine asks: Why is The Joker so popular with fans? Or is he? Resources Mentioned: Batman: The Animated SeriesBatman, tv series (1966)The Dark KnightBatman Begins The post Question 1003: What Makes a Good Villain? appeared first on The Every Day Novelist .