by Justin Attas
Writing Articles
A bit more on the professional side, here. When I'm not whipping up a fantastical new sci-fi world or putting together fun writing help videos, I write articles.
After writing my own books for many years, and ghostwriting over fifteen others, I've got some things to say. Writers are struggling.
I'm here to help.
World-building: Creating a Credible Magic System
Hosted on Writers Helping Writers
Thank you to the WHW staff for featuring my writing! Read the full article here: https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/07/world-building-creating-a-credible-magic-system/
Creating a world of magic? Then CREATE one! Don't just count on those who came before you for ideas about magic. That's the most wonderful thing about it... magic can be whatever you want it to be. Build that magical world from the ground up! Here are a few things to consider:
1. Origins: where does magic come from?
2. Who uses magic, and how?
3. How does magic change your world?
Answer these questions as in-depth as you can, to yourself. Then work it into your narrative organically. You'll be in business to birth a world of magic like no one's seen before. Read the full article at the link above for a more in-depth look.
Writing LGBTQ+ Characters: Don’t Over-Sexualize
Hosted on Romance University
Thank you to the staff at Romance University for featuring my writing! Read the full article here: https://romanceuniversity.org/2019/09/24/writing-lgbtq-characters-dont-over-sexualize/
In this awesome age of inclusion, we've seen an incredible increase in variety of plots and romance arcs. Overall, this is a great thing! What's not great, though? Writers who set out to include a wider audience in their writing, only to accidentally perpetuate untrue stereotypes. Unfortunately, we see this a good deal in writing LGBTQ+ characters and relationships.
The golden rule is: write a complex, believable character first. Always. Don't add in character aspects simply to set them apart. This is exactly what you will accomplish in your writing. Setting the people you wanted to include apart. If you're going to write an LGBTQ+ character, they have to be just that. A character. Not a walking trope, like these two.
- The deviant
- The "gay" one
These characters are unrealistic, and only serve to take away from the groups writers are trying to support. Design your characters complete with their own values, interests, and passions. So they happen to be gay, or bisexual. This should fall inside the boundaries of your plot and support it, not detract from it by being forced and overplayed for no reason.
