A Year of Science Fiction and Fantasy

This year, commit to honing your science fiction and fantasy writing skills. Study character development, worldbuilding, complex narratives, genre fusion, and publishing insights. Immerse yourself in speculative fiction and experiment outside your comfort zone. A year of dedicated practice will elevate your storytelling.

Myers Fiction January 2024 Newsletter

The article encourages writers to set realistic goals for the new year, focusing on one project at a time. The author emphasizes the need for focus, using personal experiences as an example. Additional advice includes studying other genres and the utilization of various writing techniques. The article also proposes studying "The Martian" by Andy Weir as an example of effective storytelling, and ends with a writing prompt titled "New Beginnings". The author invites interaction through comments and an Instagram page.

Expanding to the Third-Person Point of View

The third person point of view (POV) in storytelling offers a broad lens perspective, providing readers with unique tension and greater knowledge about events and characters. However, it can also overwhelm readers when overused or misplaced. This POV can be categorized as omniscient, limited, or objective, each delving into varying depths of interior character perspectives. Avoiding common errors such as 'head hopping', overuse of pronouns and names, and under-description is crucial for effective third person storytelling.

How to Write with the Second-Person Point of View

You open the book, wondering where its pages will take you. The story unfolds, and you realize - you are the protagonist. Each choice is yours as the narrator guides you on a journey within your own mind. You turn the page, immersed in a tale of your own imagining.

First Person Point of View: A Close-up

The First Person POV deepens a reader’s engagement by the constant use of “I”, “me”, and “my”. It creates a sense of immediacy and emotional resonance by letting readers experience raw thoughts, feelings, and journey alongside the narrator. But writers should be wary of overusing “I” and falling into repetitive, self-indulgent patterns.