Subplots are windows of opportunity that help with a story’s progression. When written and handled thoughtfully, they can cater to a story naturally without sounding superfluous. I imagine that a lot of subplots are written merely by accident (you know, when we want to kill someone off or weave in a love triangle). As an art of complex storytelling, subplots have taught me several lessons, besides adding depth to the central story arc and a deeper meaning to a story. They provide freedom for authors to flesh out characters, themes and conflicts. Subplots offer writers a chance to add twists…
Author: Viola Day
Another rant, another page not written
It’s Day 106 of not having written. The other day, after reading, I tried and just grew frustrated. I placed my fingertips on the keys and made a funny expression into the screen where my reflection tried mocking me. I thought, How am I supposed to feel reading something like that and trying to write something like this?! Maybe my source of inspiration has let me down or has reached its expired date. Maybe this one no longer speaks to me. Maybe it’s too close to home, or I have to live it out further. I oscillate between aspiring to…
The Trouble With Marketing Yourself as a Writer
The trouble with marketing ourselves, as writers, is that it’s awkward. Like trying to use a computer mouse with our left hand. We try to stay true to our convictions: to lead a more intentional life, to make conscious decisions and above all, to live slowly. But it seems as though, at this rate, many of us have sold the best parts of ourselves to consumerism, to trends, the good looking, popularity and prestige. Where do I fall into this mess? Am I floundering? Yes. We want to reach the right readers and to connect with them, but we can’t…
Checking in
I haven’t written anything in weeks. W E E K S. Although I’ve been feeling and thinking all the time about everything, nothing gets down on paper and only goes as far as a drafted text message that goes unsent. I’m tired (to put it at best). Sometimes, I’ll stare off in the distance as my son cries and I’ll almost hear the silence. I’ve decided to surrender to the process part of the process. This, right here. This, the feeling, right now. There’s no sense in locking horns. I welcome it peacefully. I’m reassessing. Shifting some things around. Reflecting…
Finn’s Girl, Ruby – The Theme of Self-Love
Finn’s Girl, Ruby explores the theme of self-love. Kaplan, whose favorite movie is True Romance and who has ditched a career as a lawyer to pursue photography, keeps Madison at bay. A tortured artist to describe him in the least, he effortlessly remains an enigma—displaying only that tip of the iceberg—because, like many of us, he feels as though he has barely made it this far in life merely by tailoring himself to others. By shaping ourselves around others, we feel desirable and interesting because, hell, if others were to discover the kind of person we believe or think we are,…
5 Tropes I Enjoy Using in Romantic Fiction
The enemies to lovers, the comic relief and the unsuspecting hero—we are no stranger to these plot elements, character classifications and exhausted themes peppered throughout works of fiction. They’re taken and rehashed only to be told from an author’s imagination, thinking it can play off last season’s argyle sweater with a cashmere scarf. Books are filled with tropes and we devour it anyway. But was it refreshing? Did your stomach churn like butter? Did you weep like an underpaid Applebee’s waitress saddled with student loan debt? How about your nails? Did you chew them off after that hair-raising scare? I…
Viola Day’s Debut Novel–Cover Design and Title Reveal!
Apart from the gorgeous work I saw, from collaborating with so many artists, this one stole my heart immediately. There were four others I couldn’t overlook. However, this one really dug in and homed in on my novel so accurately. The tone’s there. It’s unsettling, yet lovely and spellbinding all at the same time. Please follow and like us:
No, that’s okay — we’ve got a lovely view from back here
“I want to remember you this way,” I said to him, our eyes locking in ways they hadn’t. “I want to remember us this way. Maybe…maybe it can’t get any better than this. Maybe, some things are best adored, even appreciated, from a distance.” Maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe. The other side fuels our imagination. California’s great. Although a double-edged sword, she’s got it going on, really, but you hated how it felt when you had her. Now that the leaves are falling off from its branches on this side of the country, you miss the mouthwatering Mexcian food, the Pacific…
We help one another
A letter to all aspiring authors Dear a WIP, Scary isn’t it? Having to grip your heart from your chest and turn it inside and out for the world to see and pick apart. If you’re safe, perhaps no one will ever find it. Unfortunately, the world will be remiss of another talented name gone unnoticed whose writer was shrouded behind a shelf of books and a computer monitor. With a world flooded with inspiration, people of whom we want to be and of places where we want to travel, be sorely charmed and encouraged but remember your voice in…
The Kindergarten Teacher on Netflix is the film writers should watch next
I had no expectations upon watching the movie, The Kindergarten Teacher. Let me preface this by saying how could any writer – novelist, poet or artist – not value the message demonstrated here? I won’t give too much about the movie, but I advise any creator of words or pictures to see this independent drama. Gyllenhaal plays the kindergarten teacher, named Lisa Spinelli, who we immediately understand is isolated and worlds away from a seemingly satisfying life she leads. She is then engrossed in one of her students, a precocious boy whose poetic talent is way beyond his years….