Notes from #TENNWW

Hey everyone! I have the great opportunity to attend the online Tennessee Writing Workshop this weekend. I’m learning a lot and even have the chance to pitch to a couple literary agents (fingers crossed). With everything I’ve learned, I wanted to share a few things. Author E.J. Wenstrom gave a great class about busting writer’s block. I figured I’d share the ten questions you can ask when writer’s block attacks. These are all questions E.J. gave us in her class, and I’m definitely already utilizing them.

1. What is the worst thing that can happen to your protagonist?
2. What is the worst thing that can happen to your antagonist?
   Remember, your antagonist thinks they’re the hero of their story, so how can you up the stakes for them?
3. What plot threads are in play?
   It can be helpful go back and read your work to see what little tidbits you put in that you forgot about. These tidbits could be something you can build on.
4. What does your next plot decision say about your theme? What do you want to say about your theme? Do you even know your theme?
5. What hints are in chapter 1?
   Is there something there you can use later on?
6. How is the internal arc affected by external action?
   Sometimes we can get wrapped up in action, how is that affecting the growth of your character?
7. What are your secondary characters doing?
   Every character is the hero of their own story. What are they up to?
8. What elements of the setting can you activate?
   Treat the setting like a character. How does the setting participate? What challenges can it create?
9. Who hasn’t been asked what they want?
   Every character wants something. What is it? If they haven’t revealed it yet, why haven’t they? Even minor characters have something to say.
10. Have your characters been honest?
    Have they been honest with you? Themselves? Are you sure of your motivation? Who’s hiding something and why? Is what they want really going to make them happy?

Hope these questions help you conquer writer’s block! I know I’m probably going to need a new notebook to answer them all! Thanks for reading everyone!