Untold Tales

Writer/Reader/Listener Blog

May 27, 2023

Immersion

Immersion

Let’s talk a bit about immersion. In your story, the purpose of immersion is to give your readers a feel for what’s actually going on, regardless of whether words are spoken. There are two schools of thought on what immersion actually …

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May 12, 2023

Critique Circles

Critique Circles

Ready, Fire, Aim!         A boon (first time I’ve used that word) to new writers, those without a quality writing partner or two, is the Critique Circle, a rough and ready proving ground for works in pr…

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April 28, 2023

When the Words Stop

When the Words Stop

          Golfers avoid saying “shank”. During a no-hitter, the team whose pitcher is flirting with history refuses to acknowledge what is happening. And among writers, people who will often talk about anyth…

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Five Science Fiction Books Worth Reading Twice

            I can hear one of you saying: “But there are more than five science fiction books worth reading twice!” I understand that, Reader Who States the Obvious to Irk Me Into Wh…

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March 28, 2023

Chasing Ideas

Chasing Ideas

A lot of ideas for writers come from the unconscious. Ideas will oftimes surface as passing thoughts, unbidden and unexpected. While focusing on one endeavor, a thought will pop into your mind that is totally and abruptly out of place, intriguing a…

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Hidden Gem: The Chung Keo Series

I picked it up because the paperback had a bright red cover with a dragon on it. It was right next to A Game of Thrones in that oft-visited corner bookstore on a sunny day in 1992. The title of the book was Chung Kuo: The Middle Kingdom, by David Wi…

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The Nature of Evil characters

I have only met a few really evil people in my life. One of them was a superior at a Fortune 500 company… a VP who was ruthless and cutthroat. He lied to people, He managed to set up and blame others for his mistakes, sabotaged competing …

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A Writer’s Inner Dialogue

A Writer’s Inner Dialogue That is the third cliché this page. Are you really a writer? “Shut up.” You call that characterization? You’re making that guy as flat as the paper you will ruin printing this out. “…

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March 9, 2023

Speed Listening

Speed Listening

A lot of people have problems with audiobooks. Many have grown up in a world of videos and podcasts and have never really developed a passion for reading. Some read too slow, some have difficulties reading for long lengths of time. They like the id…

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March 8, 2023

Writing Style Tips

Writing Style Tips

I’ve seen too many times the erroneous command to find your writing style as if it were a misplaced twenty or a lost puppy. You don’t find your writing style; you create it. The first tip is to HAVE a writing style. Here we should prob…

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