My ABC's of Writing: Brought to You by the Letter H

Today's ABC's of Writing entry brought to you by the letter "H." But it's got Walken in it, which means it's automagically awesome.

Humor. Make 'em laugh.

Like Walken as the boat captain. Like Walken as Ed Glosser, Trivial Psychic ("You're gonna get an ice cream headache, it's gonna hurt real bad right here for eight, nine seconds...").

Not every story of mine has a humorous component to it. But for the most part, I like to include humor--subtle or outlandish--in my stories. I like to be able to read with a smile on my face, something I keep in mind when I write a story.

Will it always have the desired effect?

Heck, no. I've been told by some publications that I don't take myself or my characters seriously enough. And then I ask: do we need another brooding antihero?

My point is getting lost here, but I like to laugh when I'm reading and I like to make others laugh when I'm writing. It isn't always easy to pull off.

PREVIOUS ENTRIES:

A is for AGENT
B is for BETA READERS
C is for CRITIQUE GROUP
D is for DESCRIPTION
E is for EDITING
F is for FICTION
G is for GENRE

My ABC's of Writing: Brought to You by the Letter G

The next stop?

Oh, "G," that was easy. Gotta tell you, these introductions are getting tedious, but the ABC's of Writing Train must press onward.

"G" is for genre. I am unabashedly a genre writer and a genre reader. This doesn't mean I never read literary fiction, non-fiction, or the occasional self-help book. What it does mean, however, is I enjoy escapist fare. If said escapist fare has a point to make, so be it.

Give me science fiction and fantasy, bring me a gripping techno-thriller or a frightening medical thriller. Throw in a superhero or two. As for the vampires, others can feel free to enjoy them. Same goes with horror books. Just don't stop writing 'em.

PREVIOUS ENTRIES:

A is for AGENT
B is for BETA READERS
C is for CRITIQUE GROUP
D is for DESCRIPTION
E is for EDITING
F is for FICTION

Background image: Wonderlane (via Flickr)

My ABC's of Writing: Brought to You by the Letter F

A new week, a new letter of the alphabet revealed. If you guessed today's post would be brought to you by the letter "F," I commend you on your knowledge of the alphabet.

"F" is for Fiction. Now, I'm not asking all of you writers out there to write fiction. Some of you don't want to write about fake people and situations. That's fine. I like biographies, too.

Fiction gets me going. No doubt, real life has its drama, but as a writer I find something so intrinsically pleasing about creating worlds and crafting the people who populate them. Some of these characters become real. As a reader, I find no greater pleasure than stepping into a setting I can touch, taste, and feel as I meet the men and women who populate it.

PREVIOUS ENTRIES:

A is for AGENT
B is for BETA READERS
C is for CRITIQUE GROUP
D is for DESCRIPTION
E is for EDITING

Background Image: library_mistress (via Flickr)