Binati Sheth’s Post

Complex character writing involves two things: 1. Emotional needs (that might clash) 2. A stated goal To explore these two, you'll need to formulate a backstory. Depending on this backstory, which you might not share with your readers, the character will react to things in their unique way (as the plot progresses). The way you use words will make or break this game. Choose wisely, ya? The full 5+ minute can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/diq-FZb9 #writing #bookwriting This video was recorded over a year ago. :)

How can I write about my normal life? Nobody will read it. ::sighs and puts on a smile to answer the question:: Normal is valuable. Everyone aspires to be normal. We work our butts off to lead a normal, happy life. If you have a normal life, don't begrudge it. Instead, find moments within it to share with the world. Good writing isn't about trauma or drama. It is about expression. Every individual on our pale blue dot has emotional needs and a goal. If your writing makes these two things clear, your normal has the power to move most people. Trauma is not the only lens through which you tell a story. Don't be sad about being normal. We are all similar in our shared humanity (and inhumanity). As a writer, you choose what you focus on. Ya? A note: I promise, the fan in the video has a purpose. Stay till the end. Book mentioned: The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa Good damage: BoJack Horseman Philosophers mentioned: Friedrich Nietzsche and Viktor Frankl Ask me questions about reading, writing, editing and publishing books. If you want to have specific discussions about your book, call me. #writing #bookwriting

The mundane becomes iconic with experiments and iterations. While working on your book, you have to give in to your creative instinct. Trust it. Explore it. Surrender to it for a bit. Write something. Gather feedback and make changes where necessary. Give it some time to deliver results. Set it free. Experiment some more. Everything iconic begins with an experiment. Experiment a bit, ya? Video: https://lnkd.in/dmiicqen I tried uploading the video here but for some reason, it wouldn't go through. 🥲 Ask me questions about reading, writing, editing and publishing books. If you want to have specific discussions about your book, call me. #writing #bookwriting

The process of researching for your book begins with creating lists. Write every single (relevant) thing you know. Identify the bits you need. Highlight the zones of confusion. Then, you kickstart the research. If you go in blindly, my dear Alice, you will get lost in a fascinating wonderland titled research. Ya? Book mentioned: Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman by Richard Feynman Ask me questions about reading, writing, editing and publishing books. If you want to have specific discussions about your book, call me. #writing #bookwriting #researching

Younger people butcher language. 🤷🏽♀️No they don’t. Languages evolve courtesy of usage. νῶθι σαυτόν (nothi safton) is written under Apollo’s statue in Delphi. It means “nothing too much.” When we refer to this text now, we use the words ‘moderation in all things’. This change happened courtesy of popular literature written by Heraclitus and the compress-the-meaning-of-the-philosophy preference of the West. When you find yourself judging younger generations and their use of language, remind yourself this:  They are not being disrespectful. They are using language in accordance with their preferences.  Offer them the same grace that was offered to you when you messed with language in your generation’s unique way. Ya? Ask me questions about reading, writing, editing and publishing books. If you want to have specific discussions about your book, call me.

How to milk your life for stories? Question your reactions. Dig for context. Jot down (strong) emotional reactions. Think of moments that made you feel something intense. Question the emotion. Then question your reaction. Write the details on a page. Look for the story. Is 5000 a lot of money? There is no absolute answer. This 👆🏽 is where the story lurks. Look for it. Ya? Ask me questions about reading, writing, editing and publishing books. If you want to have specific discussions about your book, call me. #writing #bookwriting

The question: Shed some light on how to describe characters in books. My short answer: Use the combination of action and understandability. Make it understandable (people fill in the blanks themselves, courtesy of their imaginations). Write more about what they are doing or did or plan to do instead of what they are wearing, where they are sitting, etc. Ghibli and Cartoon Saloon do this style of character writing really well. You’ll never see any of their characters deliver monologues. The power of action in writing descriptions is underrated (in my opinion). Ask me more questions. If you want to have specific discussions about your book, call me. #writing #bookwriting  

Words are the raw ingredients you need to cook your food. Vocabulary is the seasoning. If you know how to treat your ingredients well, you can season with just a pinch of salt, and you could have people salivating for more. Season your books with vocabulary (instead of making the book about the words alone). Descriptions describe (and not distract). Focus on defining your character/s and their motivations. That’s it. Ya? This example was from Studio Ghibli’s もののけ姫 (Mononoke-hime - Princess Mononoke). I’ve made a video sharing more examples where the words, “You are beautiful,” take on different meanings, courtesy of how they are framed. Watch the full video: https://lnkd.in/dPPNnpYd

It might look like simple words. There’s a lot that hides behind that simplicity. A question for you: I am thinking of changing formats. Does something like this image work?

Writing a book is autobiographical. Reading a book is not. Authors (sometimes) make their book entirely about them. If you want your book to be read, you have to ask one question frequently: What is in it for my readers? Let's talk about failure number 4: A paused editing project. My author processed her real-life experience by writing a fictional story. The story was good. The plot-holes were not. The characters weren't developing. They just existed in the book (including the protagonist). I tried to be as kind as possible with the feedback. She paused the project. What I learned from this failure: 1. Give feedback only when people are ready to listen to it. 2. Develop a strategic approach to delivering feedback for something that has autobiographical origins. 3. Give people time to come to conclusions on their own (instead of offering one on a plate). I am not pushing my author for updates. When she is ready, she'll reach out again. Or she will hire another editor. Either way, I failed, and I learned something out of it. Clip credit: Taskmaster