Category Archives: Writing Believable Make-Believe
Writing Technique: Star Wars–an Example of How to Break the Rules
Almost any writing rule can be broken, as long as the author 1) earns the right to break it and 2) executes properly. For the past few weeks, we’ve been discussing how to create the suspension of disbelief in readers … Continue reading
Writing Technique: Prep the Reader for Your Plot Twist and/or Make-Believe Element
Using a few techniques to prepare your reader for you plot twist or your make-believe element can draw your reader into your story, increase suspense, and create a huge emotional reaction in your reader. I was probably three or four … Continue reading
Writing Technique: Creating Believable Worlds, Characters & Creatures
Even your make-believe worlds, characters, and creatures should still contain believable elements. Use what you know about human nature, history, economics, government, and science to make your world feel real. Movies are full of ostentatious stunts and explosions that most … Continue reading
Writing Technique: Creating a Believable Setting
Creating a believable setting can help your readers suspend their disbelief and accept the make-believe elements in your story. Author Lakin Konieczny (read her blog here) left a great comment on one of my blog posts, explaining how she creates … Continue reading
Writing Technique: Using Archetypes
Use familiar archetypes of known fantasy creatures, aliens, and paranormal beings to surround the unbelievable with the believable. If you are new to this blog, I’ve been writing a series of posts about writing speculative fiction, including fantasy, science … Continue reading
Surround the Unbelievable with the Believable: Using Hybrid Magic & Technology
Making Make-Believe Believable: Surround the unbelievable with the believable by creating technology, weapons, and magic that is a hybrid of something already familiar to the reader. If you are new to this blog, I’ve been writing a series of posts … Continue reading
Surround the Unbelievable with the Believable Using Social Norms
Surround the Unbelievable with the Believable Using Social Norms Making Make-Believe Believable: Your setting may take place on another planet; your characters may be fighting a race of alien wizards; but you can surround the unbelievable with the believable … Continue reading
Surround the Unbelievable with the Believable: The Transformation Example
Making Make-Believe Believable: Surround the unbelievable with the believable by transforming believable items into items that are unbelievable. If you are new to this blog, I’ve been writing a series of posts about writing speculative fiction, including fantasy, science fiction, … Continue reading
Writing Speculative Fiction: Surround the Unbelievable with the Believable
Making Make-Believe Believable: The first technique to help your reader suspend disbelief is to surround the unbelievable with the believable. If you are new to this blog, I’ve been writing a series of posts about writing speculative fiction, including fantasy, … Continue reading
Suspending Disbelief: Understanding the Reader’s Reality Filters
Making Make-Believe Believable: Before you can get your reader to suspend his or her disbelief, you must have a good understanding of your target audience’s reality filters. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, most of us … Continue reading
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