Writing Tip #2: Everyone handles writer's block differently. Sometimes you may have to force yourself to write to get through it, other times you may need to take a break, and other times you may need to set your environment to better match what you're writing. Take your time to find what method(s) works for you rather than force yourself to fit into someone else's method(s).

Daily Vocab Word: Interim - (noun) A temporary period between events. I.e., "He was the interim manager."

Writing Challenge Improvement Area: Characters

Writing Challenge #2: Vocal Blues

Take any piece of writing you've ever written where at least one character is talking. Take one character from the scene and swap their voice out for a different character's voice (a character not in the scene; this is very important). For example, if the character is bubbly and energetic, swap their voice out for a character who has a more stoic personality and voice.

Rewrite the scene where the character now has a completely different personality. The purpose of this exercise is to practice how different personalities react to receiving the same information. If a bubbly character finds out their best friend betrayed them, it's going to be vastly different than a stoic character finding out their best friend betrayed them.

Focus on how the character's dialogue and mannerisms change, and you can do this exercise as many times as needed.

You can create an original scene for this, too, though I recommend using pre-existing material to challenge you to write a pre-existing character from a different perspective.

Another way to go about it is if you have a character who is going to start really, for example, angry and wrathful and then become more kind and caring over time, you can use this challenge as an opportunity to prepare for that switch. So take a scene where the character is being their typical angry self and rewrite it from their softer personality.

Happy writing!

Mark here when you complete the challenge --->