Insights From MasterClass

Hey, Everyone!

I've teamed up with Wattpad and MasterClass to share a few tips on something that all authors dread, writer's block! I also picked up some advice from one of my childhood author heroes, R.L. Stine. I'll share a few of the topics he covered that really stuck with me. #Sponsored

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Let's dive into the topic of writer's block. This is something almost every author struggles with at some point in their career. Many of us have struggled with it several times. The thing that I pulled away from R.L. Stine's MasterClass is that starting small can often lead to overcoming a writer's block.

For example, if you are starting on a new project and you aren't quite sure what you want to write about, R.L. Stine talked about how he drew inspiration from his environment. A simple walk into Walmart led to the title of a book, which then led to the idea and plot.

I find myself drawing inspiration from my environment as well. A simple trip to the park may spark my imagination to come up with a scary story that takes place deep in the woods. I'm also inspired by people. If I see someone as I'm walking through the grocery store and their expression or sense of style really speaks to me or sticks out, I may use those traits for one of my upcoming main characters.

I really loved R.L. Stine's advice on outlining. As a former panster (a writer who doesn't plan, they just write by the seat of their pants) turned plotter (someone who plots their books), this advice really resonated with me. Outlining your book allows for solid character arcs, twists and turns, and the ability to know what you're going to write, before you sit down to start a new manuscript.

Another bit of advice that R.L. Stine gave was to end your chapters on cliffhangers. I am a massive fan of this advice! If you've read CAPTURED or UNDER, you know how much I love to end a chapter on a cliffhanger! *insert evil laugh* R.L. Stine points out that if you want your readers to keep reading, ending the chapter with something that is so juicy, scary, and/or intriguing, that they automatically start the next chapter to find out what happened.

R.L. Stine also spoke about the importance of dialogue. It has to serve a purpose. To foreshadow something that is to come in the book or reveal something the reader didn't know before. He said that you never want your reader to skip over dialogue because they find it boring. He also stressed that your characters should sound like real people, but not to use slang or technology that will be dated in two months or five years. For example, he said that he once wrote a book with a teenager who had a Walkman. Kids today won't know what that is and it will confuse them. Lastly, he said that kids speak in short sentences. Filling a book with kids speaking in full sentences isn't realistic.

One last piece of writing advice that really stuck with me that R.L. Stine gave was to attempt to emulate one of your favorite author's writing style. He said by doing this, you will in turn, find your own style. This is definitely something that I've done over the years. When I first started writing, I was hooked on Amanda Hocking's Trylle Trilogy. I loved the way she wrote (and still do). It drew me in. It kept me glued to every single page. I felt a connection with the characters and the setting. When I write, this is what I want my readers to feel. So, without knowing it, when I first started writing, I was indeed emulating Amanda Hocking. Find an author whose work you treasure and see if you can pull some of their style out and use it in your own work.

Taking R.L. Stine's MasterClass course was absolutely inspiring. I have been eyeing it up for a really long time and I'm so grateful to Wattpad and MasterClass for the opportunity to take it. As a writer, I'm always working to improve my craft. Thanks to R.L. Stine, I feel even more equipped to do the job that I love!

I have one more thing to share! I've decided to give away two one-year MasterClass subscriptions. Comment below and I will randomly select and send passes to two of you! The two random winners will be selected on September 20, 2020.

Thanks for reading about my experience partnering with Wattpad and MasterClass! Leave a comment below and let me know what your best tips are for overcoming writer's block.

Hearts and Daggers,

Kelly Anne Blount xoxo