As storytellers it is so easy to fall into a funk, even if you're making an effort to write everyday or try out new mediums. Some writing days can feel wonderful and others can feel mediocre, but either way that's part of what makes the storytelling process so great, even if it doesn't seem that way.
Read MoreAs writers our principle form of activism is our voice. To be more specific, the voice of our pen. However, another form of activism - though far more subtle and long-term in its effects - is in the books we choose to read. With every book you buy, you share, and you tell people about, you are saying that more of those books should be read, and marketers and companies will start to follow that over time.
Read MoreRecently I saw the movie Fences in theaters, a film based on the play by August Wilson. Everything about it was working great for me - the plot, the conflicts, the characters, but best of all the performances. Denzel Washington and Viola Davis were outstanding, moving me on so many different levels emotionally I could hardly keep up. However, despite all the things I loved about Fences and how strong the story was, I couldn't help but feel like something was off.
Read MoreAre you someone who has ever said "video games just aren't for me"? And are you also someone who considers themselves a writer? Then this post is made for you.
If you are a member of the Storytelling Society, you'll know why I wholeheartedly believe anyone who says they are a storyteller needs to play video games, even if they don't want to write them. As detailed in the Storytelling System, engaging with new mediums is essential to improving your abilities as a storyteller in general - not just as a writer of novels or plays or even poetry.
Read MoreIt happens every time. I walk into GameStop with my brother or boyfriend and the sales associate walks up to us and acts like I don't exist. They look the guy I'm with in the eye and pretend I'm the girlfriend or sister who was dragged along, never asking if there's anything I need when I stray away and start looking at the games for sale.
Read MoreEvery year people set New Year's resolutions. Maybe it's to eat healthier, to be a better person, or even more specifically, to drink eight glasses of water a day. And if you're a writer, you've more than likely made the "write more" resolution before, or even the more seemingly specific resolution to finish your novel or screenplay. You might have even made a similar resolution four days ago.
Read MoreThough video games have always been a part of my life, it wasn't until a few years ago when I really began to become what some call a "gamer" and began trying out new games I never had before, branching off from The Sims, Zelda and Nancy Drew (all of which are still fun, by the way) to try out the likes of Bioshock, Mass Effect and Skyrim. This was in part because as a child my parents never permitted us to have anything besides the Wii, so when I began dating my boyfriend I had two separate consoles (PlayStation and Xbox) that I had never owned or played anything on before until then.
Read MoreEvery winter when everyone begins to snuggle up by the fire and celebrate the holiday season, I always feel a strong urge to return to my worn, yet beloved Harry Potter collection. Harry Potter, in many ways, is what made me who I am today. When I was younger and one of the last in my class to learn to read, Harry Potter became the entertaining push to keep me going. Very quickly it became an obsession and one that I have sustained throughout my entire life. With that obsession I developed a love for reading, but also other storytelling forms that I couldn't appreciate until I was much older and much more widely read.
Read MoreNo matter what holiday you celebrate, you should celebrate your storytelling self by giving yourself a treat! But beyond just giving yourself some new pens or a fancy notebook, this year I want you to consider challenging yourself with your gift, picking out a new genre or medium you wouldn't usually select and giving it a chance. That's why I've created several gift guides for you to help you branch out, but also treat yourself to something nice!
Read MoreWith NaNoWriMo and therefore many people's stories coming to an end (congrats to all of you who did it by the way! Get yourself something nice!), a lot of storytellers are now faced with the dilemma of where to go next. While writing another story should always be on the horizon, there also is the difficulty in determining when your story is actually completed and what is next for it.
Read MoreWhether you follow a three-act structure or write a more "structureless" story like literary fiction, you will eventually encounter the dreaded second act. Often called the "second act sag," this part of the story has been know to trip many writers up, and it's been given that name for a reason.
Read MoreWhether you're a new storyteller or an old one, you will eventually encounter the dreaded storytelling slump. Up until that slump, writing was coming easily, or if it wasn't, it was at least still enjoyable and your work was turning out to resemble something you may someday love, until one day it wasn't anymore.
Read MoreCreative Writing Coach and Storyteller | Serving creative writers who want to write novels, movies, plays, and video games – and helping them learn how to write all four.
Hey there—I’m E.M. Welsh and I’m a writer and storyteller based in Texas. In my spare time, you can find me reading books, watching TV and movies, and playing video games. I also cook a lot of food and dabble in a plethora of other hobbies.
I’m currently working on my first book, which I hope to have published in 2024.
This blog is basically a diary of what I’m up to, random musings, and progress updates on my book.
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