More Writing Advice…
How to Write Without Fear
When you’re stuck, writing is torture. This will show you how to overcome your writing fears… and conquer Writer’s Block.
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How to Craft Distinct Character Voices
Do all your characters sound the same?You are losing readers. Read this to make all your dialogue rapid-fire and intense.
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Welcome to My Writing Blog!
Hey there, I’m P. S. Hoffman.
This is my blog, where I share writing techniques and other fiction-improving content.
I mostly write science fiction and fantasy, but my reading tastes range far and wide. So please, talk to me about anything writing related.
And feel free to comment on any article you read, because it helps me figure out what to write about next!
Don’t forget to subscribe for some (very infrequent) email updates.
More Recent Articles…
Writing Better Characters: Zootopia’s Clever Lesson on Backstory
I swear, I only saw it for the sloths. Yet, by the end of the first two scenes, I had already learned more than enough from Zootopia (2016) to pack up the popcorn, leave the theater, and write this post. I mean, I didn't. I stayed for the sloths. My point is Zootopia...
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Breaking the Law…s | Short Fiction
Professor Lou Pole, possibly the greatest mind of his generation, had no business leaving his prestigious (and very high paying job) at ELITE AND NEEDLESSLY EXPENSIVE UNIVERSITY. But he did. When he told his adjuncts and fellow professors where he was moving, each and...
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Dr. Seuss’ Alien Invasion | Short Fiction (Under 500 Words)
In a green, green meadow by the white, stark tundra, stood a bright, young girl beneath a spaceship's dark umbra. With her mouth in the shape of a big, empty "O," she watched the ship rattle and sway, lights all aglow. Not long did she stare, before the ship...
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6 Books that Taught Me How to Write Better
Most writers learn by reading their favorite books. These books taught me how to write better – and not how you might think.
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Short Fiction – “Selfless”
Stop everything. Within forty-eight millionths of a second, the world locked in place. I couldn't lift my arms, nor move my lips. Drops of rain came to a halt, some frozen in the air above my windshield, some exploding like crystal flowers against the glass. To...
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Writer’s Guide: How to Pace Your Story
There was a nervous energy rippling through the rows of people. Through the window, I could see the brilliant orange and purple sunset dripping below the horizon. I couldn't pinpoint the exact moment the airplane started moving, but I could tell we were picking up...
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The Man with the Golden Pun
A drop of sweat rolled down his forehead, and slid into his eyes. It stung. Mr. Blond sucked in his breath. He turned his head away, making a clandestine attempt to wipe away the sweat before the Judges noticed. One of the judges cleared her throat, "Something wrong,...
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How Long Does it Take to Write a Book?
How many hours does it take to write a first draft? The short answer is it should take around 100 hours to finish your first draft. And when I say around, I mean it could take you anywhere from 50 to literally infinite hours, depending on how you write and how...
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Writing and the Importance of Imperfection
Perfectionist writers: this is the story of how I learned to love my stories’ imperfections – and how you can too.
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Who cares about authorial intent?
Last week, the 'Front Page of the Internet' went insane. Again. This is the perfect time to talk about ownership, authorial intent, and why you have no control over what your audience thinks. And, hell, why not start a discussion? Congratulations! After decades of...
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Someone I’ve Never Met Before (Short Fiction: Under 200 Words)
My agent’s face was sweating, trying to sell that house to me, even as my breath turned to vapor in the cold. The seclusion, the fact that you couldn't see anything beyond the trees that grew around it, that’s why I wanted it. Old house, haunted house. My agent hired...
read moreMapping Character Change Using Psychological Theory by Phil Lowe
Need help developing your characters? Read this fantastic post from Scriptangel's Blog, and learn how to use realistic personality changes to round out your writing.
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Letter to a Loved One (Flash Fiction: Under 100 Words)
You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for you. You, so slow and laughably unintelligent. Yet, I don't know where I would be without you. Your glow, like the sickly light of a bug zapper, a blinding beacon in the dark. Your warmth, almost unbearable, but that’s...
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How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Outline
Didn't you know? A bad outline is the death of a good story. How can you be creative when everything is already planned out for you? No emotion in the writer, no emotion in the reader. How can you follow this rule when you already know everything that’s going to...
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How Can We Sing? (300 Word Fiction)
In such a strange land, they found themselves surrounded by nothing familiar. There was the sun, but it was wrong, and the mountains, those were wrong also. Here, they could not hear The Song, and so they could not sing. Muhlirim knew they would die. “But all must...
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What’s Wrong with Mad Max: Fury Road?
Redemption [ri-demp-shuh n] noun. - 1. an act of redeeming or atoning for a fault or mistake, or the state of being redeemed. This is for you, George Miller. I don't know if you chose the wrong theme for your film, or you forgot what you were writing halfway through,...
read moreFinding Your Writing Voice
If you've ever needed help finding your voice, read this fantastic guest post by Marian Rosarum on Ryan Lanz' blog.
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Why You Need a Theme – And How It Can Kill Your Writing
This was the last thing Swen said to me, before he jumped off the cliff: “I’m going to do something that you will never forget. Witness me.” As he fell upon the war band, I watched as a car, covered in spikes, collided with his body. I watched as the explosives fell...
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Starting Your Next BIG Project – 3 Simple Steps
Do you want to write a book? You want to start a blog? You've been thinking about this project for a while, but it seems so huge, you don't know where to start (or maybe, you're just too afraid)? Good. The size of this task may be threatening, but you are the...
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The Outward Path (Short Story – 5000 Words)
Now available in all ebook formats, free of charge. Download here from Smashwords or purchase from Amazon (I'm still waiting on Amazon to discover that it's free on Smashwords, so for the moment, it's only free on Smashwords. I'll update this when it's changed)....
read more4 Reasons You Should be Taking Risks with your Fiction
Sage advice from a literary agent. If you're beginning a new project (I know I am!), then take a look at this. It might change your approach.
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Too Many Names? A Tip for Cleaning Up Your Writing
“The Word of Wigaldir calls you!” “Eternal life in Enga’s arms.” “Fear not, sinners. Lether the Blessed will bring us to salvation!” Like the mating calls of jungle birds, voices sailed over our heads, clamoring for our attention. Bristling with energy and humid with...
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