Have you ever had someone read your writing and tell you it was ‘passive’? Did you stare at them afterwards in confusion, scratching your head, thinking, “ What the heck does that even mean? My writing is ‘passive’?” Writers often hear that active voice is stronger, and for some writers, passive voice can feel like the bane of their existence—a mysterious, dreaded mistake that must be eliminated at all costs. But I’m here to tell you: passive voice isn’t always bad. The key is knowing when to use it, when to avoid it, and how to make that choice intentionally. In this post, I’ll help you identify passive vs. active voice so you can decide when passive voice might actually be the better tool for your writing. Like with many writing “rules,” the key isn’t to blindly follow them—it’s understanding them first, so you can break them intentionally. Personally, I’m an avid advocate of breaking conventional rules if it enhances my writing, story, character, mood, or theme. But like Show vs. Tell, passive voice has been unfairly villainized. Some writers treat it as if it should never be used, which I think is an unfortunate overcorrection. Active voice is like putting a character in the spotlight—clear, direct, and front-and-center. Passive voice moves them backstage, shifting focus to the scene, the mood, or the action itself. Great storytelling knows when to shine the light and when to let the background speak. Let’s break down the difference between active and passive voice, why it matters, and how to use each strategically in your writing. Table Of Contents What Is Active Voice? What Is Passive Voice? Identifying Passive Voice With The "Zombie Test" Exercises Concluding Thoughts Understanding Active V.S. Passive Voice Made Easy & Why It Matters What is Active Voice? Active voice makes writing clear, direct, and engaging. In an active sentence, the subject performs the action, keeping the focus on who is driving the story forward. This makes prose feel stronger, more immediate, and easier to read. For example, instead of saying, ‘The treasure was stolen by the thief,’ active voice sharpens the sentence to, ‘The thief stole the treasure.’ The difference? One feels distant, while the other keeps the action front and center. Active voice is especially powerful in storytelling, where characters need agency and momentum to make scenes feel alive. Active voice keeps things clear, direct, and engaging. Example: The knight slayed the dragon. (Active – The knight is doing the action.) Why It’s Preferred: It makes writing stronger and more immersive. Readers immediately understand who is acting. It creates a sense of urgency and impact—perfect for fiction and persuasive writing. Active voice is the foundation of strong, immersive storytelling because it keeps the prose sharp, direct, and engaging. It helps readers feel like they’re experiencing events in real time, rather than being told about them from a distance. While passive voice has its place, active voice is generally the best choice for keeping momentum, agency, and tension alive in your writing. One of the most important times to use active voice is during action and fast-paced scenes. Whether it’s a battle, a chase, or a moment of life-or-death urgency, active voice keeps the reader fully engaged. Compare these two sentences: The assassin drew his blade and lunged vs. The blade was drawn by the assassin before he lunged. The first feels immediate and intense, while the second is clunky and distances the reader from the action. In high-energy moments, active voice creates urgency and impact. Active voice is also crucial for character agency and decision-making. It keeps the protagonist driving the story forward rather than feeling like things are just happening to them. A sentence like She grabbed the letter and tore it open puts the focus on her actions and emotions, while The letter was grabbed and torn open by her makes her feel more like an afterthought. If you want readers to feel invested in your character’s choices, active voice is essential. Dialogue and internal monologue also benefit from active voice, making them feel more natural and emotionally expressive. People rarely speak in passive voice unless they’re intentionally being vague or distancing themselves from responsibility ( “Mistakes were made” instead of “I made a mistake.” ). Using active voice in character dialogue helps conversations feel authentic and engaging, while passive voice can make them sound stiff and unnatural. Another moment to prioritize active voice is when you’re building tension and momentum. If a character is creeping through a dark house, readers should feel their heartbeat quicken with every step. Compare The door burst open, and the stranger stepped inside to The door was burst open, and inside stepped a stranger. The first sentence is tight and suspenseful, while the second feels unnecessarily formal and sluggish. In thrillers, mysteries, or any high-stakes scene, active voice keeps readers on edge and immersed in the unfolding drama. Finally, active voice strengthens worldbuilding and immersion by making descriptions vivid and dynamic. When writing setting and atmosphere, sentences like Waves crashed against the jagged rocks, sending white foam spraying into the air allow readers to see and feel the scene. In contrast, The jagged rocks were crashed against by waves, and white foam was sent spraying into the air feels distant and overcomplicated. A strong narrative voice benefits from clear, engaging descriptions, and active voice helps bring a scene to life. Ultimately, active voice is the best tool for making writing punchy, immersive, and engaging. It places characters at the center of the action, keeps pacing tight, and ensures descriptions remain compelling rather than cluttered. While passive voice has its place in fiction, active voice is what keeps a story feeling alive, urgent, and emotionally impactful. What is Passive Voice? And How-To Use Passive Voice To Shift Focus (& How to Use It Intentionally) Passive voice shifts the focus away from the subject and onto the action itself. Instead of the doer taking center stage, the event or outcome becomes the focus. This can create a sense of mystery, formality, or emotional distance. For example, ‘The treasure was stolen by the thief’ places emphasis on the stolen treasure rather than the thief. In some cases, passive voice is useful—such as in mystery writing (‘The jewels were stolen last night’ keeps the culprit unknown) or when the doer is irrelevant (‘A new law was passed’). While passive voice can weaken writing when overused, it’s a valuable tool when used intentionally. In passive voice, the subject receives the action. This can make writing feel wordy, unclear, or detached. Example: The dragon was slayed by the knight. (Passive – The action is emphasized, not the doer.) Why It’s Usually Weaker: It adds unnecessary words and can feel clunky. It removes agency from the subject—who is actually doing the action? While active voice is often the stronger choice for storytelling, passive voice has its place when used intentionally. It shifts the focus away from the subject and onto the action or outcome, making it useful for moments of mystery, detachment, or dramatic emphasis. Instead of pushing the story forward with force, passive voice allows for subtlety, atmosphere, and intrigue. One of the most effective times to use passive voice is when you want to create mystery or suspense. If a crime has been committed but you don’t want to immediately reveal who is responsible, passive voice can help keep the perpetrator hidden. Compare Someone stole the ancient relic last night to The ancient relic was stolen last night. The first sentence is direct and clear, but the second keeps the focus on the event itself, allowing for tension to build. This technique is particularly useful in mystery, thriller, or horror writing, where the unknown is part of the appeal. Passive voice is also commonly used when a writer wants to depersonalize or soften responsibility. This technique is often seen in formal writing ( “A mistake was made” instead of “I made a mistake” ) but can also be a powerful tool in fiction. A character might use passive voice in dialogue to distance themselves from blame or sound deliberately vague. If a ruler announces, “Laws were broken, and consequences will follow,” they avoid naming specific people, making the statement sound formal and ominous. Another situation where passive voice works well is when the result of an action is more important than who performed it. This is especially true when describing widespread events or large-scale consequences. For example, “Entire villages were destroyed in the war” emphasizes the devastation, whereas “The enemy forces destroyed entire villages” puts the focus on the attackers. If the story is more about the aftermath than the aggressors, passive voice shifts attention to what happened rather than who caused it. Additionally, passive voice can enhance the tone of detachment or emotional distance. In moments of grief, trauma, or numbness, a character’s thoughts or narration might slip into passive voice to reflect their emotional withdrawal. For example, “The news was delivered, but I barely heard it” conveys shock and detachment, while “She delivered the news, but I barely heard her” is more immediate and personal. This technique can be especially effective in tragic or introspective moments where a character feels like an observer rather than an active participant. Lastly, passive voice can be used stylistically to mimic ancient texts, folklore, or prophetic speech. If a character is recounting a legend, they might say, “It is said that a great storm will come,” rather than “People say a great storm will come.” The passive construction makes the statement feel timeless, mythical, or fated, adding to the weight of the words. This is often seen in fantasy, historical fiction, and religious or mythological storytelling. While passive voice can weaken writing if overused, it is a valuable tool when used with intention. It can create mystery, formality, emotional detachment, and historical weight, making it a stylistic choice rather than a grammatical mistake. The key is knowing when to let passive voice enhance your storytelling rather than dull it. How to Spot Passive Voice Using The "Zombie Test"🧟‍♂️ If you're struggling to tell if a sentence is passive, worry not! Try using the “Zombie Test”! The “Zombie Test” for identifying passive voice was popularized by Dr. Rebecca Johnson, a professor at the Marine Corps University. She introduced this method as a quick and engaging way to help students recognize passive constructions in their writing. By adding the phrase “by zombies” after the verb, if the sentence still makes sense, it’s likely in the passive voice. For example, “The book was read (by zombies)” indicates a passive structure. This technique has since been widely adopted as a fun and effective tool for teaching grammar concepts. How It Works: Find the verb in your sentence. Add “by zombies” after the verb. If the sentence still makes sense, it’s passive . If it doesn’t, it’s active . Examples: The treasure was stolen (by zombies). → Makes sense! = Passive voice ❌ Pirates stole the treasure (by zombies). → Doesn’t make sense! = Active voice ✅ Why It Works: Passive voice often hides the subject or makes the action feel distant. The “by zombies” trick exposes weak phrasing, missing or unclear doers of action, and helps you rewrite stronger, clearer sentences! Bonus Tips: Another way to check is by looking for forms of “to be” ( was, were, is, been, are ) + a past participle ( eaten, written, discovered ). Look for “by” phrases ( The book was written by the author ) and if the doer of the action is missing or unclear, it’s likely passive. Exercises: Converting Passive Voice to Active Voice Rewrite the following sentences in active voice by identifying the subject and making the sentence more direct. Simple Sentences The book was placed on the table. A mistake was made in the report. The keys were found under the couch. The letter was written in a hurry. A new law was passed last week. Longer Sentences The cake wa s baked by the chef for the celebration. The castle was attacked by an unknown enemy at dawn. The decision was announced by the jury after hours of deliberation. A new discovery was made by scientists in the deep ocean. The lost dog was finally found by a kind stranger. Challenging Sentences The entire city was evacuated due to the approaching hurricane. A rare artifact was unearthed by archaeologists in the desert. The missing documents were recovered by the detective after an extensive search. The championship trophy was awarded to the winning team. The rules were changed to improve fairness in the competition. Bonus Challenge: Try writing your own sentences in passive voice and then rewriting them in active voice! Concluding Thoughts Active voice makes writing stronger and clearer, but passive voice has its place when used intentionally. It’s not just a grammatical mistake—it’s a stylistic tool that can shift focus, build suspense, and control tone. The key is knowing when to use it for impact and when to avoid it for clarity. When To Use Active vs. Passive Voice: ✔  Use active voice when:  You want your writing to be clear, direct, and engaging. ✔  Use passive voice when:  The doer of the action is unknown, irrelevant, or intentionally hidden. Quick Rule of Thumb: Active = Clarity & Impact. Passive = Distance & Detachment. “Passive voice obscures responsibility. Active voice reveals it.”   So my questions to you are:  Do you ever find yourself using passive voice often? H ow do you catch it in your writing? Have you ever used passive voice intentionally in your writing? How did it change the focus of your scene ? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 😊 Happy writing! —Bair✍︎ Disclaimer: Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a referral commission at no extra cost to you . This support helps keep my website up & running, and me writing! Thanks so much for your support! Want to stay up to-date on get exclusive updates and insights on future projects, book launches, writer and reader resources, FREE literature, writing freebies, and a more? Sign up for my Newsletter ! Find more helpful writing tips on the rest of my blog . Struggling to get your word count in? Check out my writing podcast ! Need a new notebook? Check out my hand-bound books ! Support the blog on Ko-fi ! INSTAGRAM  | LINKEDIN  | PINTEREST Check out My Writer & Reader Merch Store Like this post? Share the link on your social media or pin the image below to your Pinterest board !

I'm not certain if this already exists or not but in the fall semester of 2023, I came up with a personal poetry style that I have since dubbed "Matryoshka Poetry." Now, what is Matryoshka Poetry? It is a poem inside a poem. It is a larger story that encompasses a smaller, more specific story. It's poetry where you really try to read between the lines, to see deeper, and to understand the inner story within the larger.  It's where you tell at least two stories—or more if you dare—in one poem. There is an "outside" story and "inner" story. The outside story cannot be fully understood without the inner story, but the inner story can be fully understood by itself. That said, the outside story gives the inner story context and therefore grounds it and gives it deeper meaning. Want to write a Matryoshka poem yourself? Read this blog here that goes into more depth of my process of how I structure, breakdown, and write a Matryoshka poem since it can be a challenging process. The name for this kind of poetry was inspired by Russian Nesting Dolls, also known as Matryoshka Dolls.  I used to love poetry when I was younger, but unfortunately, the American public school crushed that loved out of me pretty quickly…   So this is my attempt to shake my fist at the American education system in rebellion to reclaim and rekindle my love and interest for poetry.   And so, I hope to write and post more Matryoshka Poetry on my blog for others to read and enjoy in the near future. Keep in mind, I'm a novice poet, so by no means are they going to be perfect but I hope people enjoy them nonetheless. See you in the next blog! —Bair✍︎ Where epic fantasy meets philosophical ponderings of the self. Want to stay up to-date and get exclusive updates and insights on future projects, book launches, writer and reader resources, FREE literature, writing freebies, and a more? Sign up for my Newsletter ! Find more helpful writing tips on the rest of my blog . SUBSCRIBE to the blog on my personal website , Substack , or Medium . Struggling to get your word count in? Check out my writing podcast ! Need a new notebook? Check out my hand-bound books ! Support the blog on Ko-fi ! INSTAGRAM  | LINKEDIN  | PINTEREST Check out My Writer & Reader Merch Store Like this post? Share the link on your social media or pin the image below to your Pinterest board ! Mosswing hopes you've enjoyed his—* coughs * * clears throat * I mean… Bair's blog post!

Ever get stuck on trying to answer problems created by your worldbuilding? Or do you need help finding solutions to the questions your worldbuilding creates? Then here is one of my favorite pieces of worldbuilding advice I've ever come across! A piece of advice that I've often implemented into my own writing. Let me introduce you to: The Two-Layer Worldbuilding Explanation. What is a two-layer explanation? A two-layer explanation, as the name suggests, uses two layers of explanation: one to explain the specific problem and the other explaining the explanation. This approach is a clever way to address plot holes and maintaining a sense of coherence within a fictional world. Let's break down an example following this structure: Example 1: Plot Hole 1: In a fantasy world, magic exists, but only a few people can use it. Why is magic so selective, and what determines who can use it? Solution 1: Magic is a gift from ancient elemental spirits, and only individuals with a strong affinity for a specific element can harness its power. This unfortunately opens up additional questions. Plot Hole 2: Why do these elemental spirits choose specific individuals, and what criteria do they use? Solution 2: The elemental spirits are bound by a cosmic balance and choose individuals based on their inherent qualities such as courage, wisdom, or empathy. The spirits aim to maintain harmony in the magical forces. However, this explanation prompts another inquiry: Plot Hole 3: What is the origin of these elemental spirits, and why are they invested in maintaining cosmic balance? Solution 3: The elemental spirits are remnants of ancient, powerful wizards who sacrificed themselves to preserve the magical equilibrium. Their essence became the spirits, and now they seek to prevent the misuse of magic, which could lead to catastrophic consequences. It takes at least two layers to create an illusion that every question has an answer—that your worldbuilding iceberg is not, indeed, hollow. By introducing these layers of explanation, each answer both resolves and expands upon the previous question, creating a sense of depth in the magical system of the fantasy world. This approach allows for a structured and intriguing narrative without requiring exhaustive details for every aspect of the fictional universe. You might even find that the second questions answers loops right back into the first one, filling up the plot hole entirely. You don't need to have an answer for everything, two layers can be enough to create the illusion of infinite depth. Answer the question that looms behind the answer of the first question, and a normal reader won't bother to dig around for a third question. Lets do another example: Example 2: Plot Hole 1: The protagonist gains superpowers from exposure to a rare meteorite. Why is this meteorite so unique, and why does it grant powers? Solution 1: The meteorite contains an extraterrestrial element called Xenium, which reacts with human DNA, unlocking latent abilities. Again, this raises more questions: Plot Hole 2: Why does Xenium exist, and why does it have such a specific effect on human DNA? Solution 2: Xenium was intentionally sent to Earth by an ancient alien civilization seeking to uplift human evolution. It's a form of controlled experimentation on developing intelligent life. Unfortunately, this introduces yet another mystery: Plot Hole 3: What is the purpose of this ancient alien civilization, and why are they interested in Earth? Solution 3: The ancient aliens are a group of cosmic guardians who aim to foster advanced civilizations across the universe. Earth is a crucial experiment for them, and they use Xenium to influence evolution positively. This layered approach provides a chain of explanations, each answering the question raised by the previous one. It creates the illusion of depth and complexity in the fictional universe, leaving readers satisfied without delving too deep into the potential infinite loop of questions. The key is to strategically introduce layers that both resolve existing questions and introduce new elements, maintaining a delicate balance to keep the narrative engaging. Let's create one last example using the two-layer explanation approach: Example 3: Plot Hole 1: In a sci-fi setting, a spaceship's hyperdrive allows it to travel faster than light. Why is this specific hyperdrive technology so advanced compared to others in the universe? Solution 1: The spaceship's hyperdrive is powered by a rare crystalline substance called Quantaflux, which can harness energy from alternate dimensions, enabling faster-than-light travel. This raises another question: Plot Hole 2: Why is Quantaflux so rare, and how did it come to be associated with faster-than-light travel? Solution 2: Quantaflux is a natural occurrence in the remnants of ancient star systems that went through cataclysmic events. Its unique properties were discovered by a brilliant scientist who found a way to extract and stabilize it for practical use in hyperdrives. Repeat after me now: yet another inquiry: Plot Hole 3: Who was the scientist that discovered Quantaflux, and why did they devote their life to this groundbreaking research? Solution 3: The scientist, Dr. Nira Yelensky, had a personal connection to a tragic event involving a failed faster-than-light experiment that claimed the lives of her closest friends. Her quest for understanding and redemption led her to discover Quantaflux and develop a safer and more efficient hyperdrive technology. I love the two-layer explanation as it not only helps address the initial plot holes but also provide a backstory for your stories and can help introduce compelling characters whose motivations add depth to the narrative. This two-layer approach allows for a nuanced and interconnected world-building without requiring exhaustive details on every aspect. My question to you is: what is your favorite worldbuilding advice and how have you implemented the advice into your story or worldbuilding world? Let me know your answers in the comments below! Happy worldbuilding! —Bair✍︎ Want to stay up to-date on get exclusive updates and insights on future projects, book launches, writer and reader resources, FREE literature, writing freebies, and a more? Sign up for my Newsletter! Find more helpful writing tips on the rest of my blog. Struggling to get your word count in? Check out my writing podcast! Need a new notebook? Check out my hand-bound books! Support the blog on Ko-fi! 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Are you a busy writer? Or need of finding solutions to help meet your writing goals and needs? Do you want the ability to write wherever you may be in the world? Then read on and get my advice writing essentials every writers needs. Here is 6 Writing Essentials for Writers on the Go 1.) Invest in an ergonomic bag. I’m somewhat of a fashion forward person… Oh who am I kidding, I’m a fashionista. I'm the bougiest person I know. I admit it—and with pride for that matter. As much as I would love to always use a shiny, black, crocodile textile handbag, in the long run it’s not going to be the best for my shoulders of my arms. Regardless of gender, if you prefer to use your laptop or an iPad for your writing, investing in a good backpack or an ergonomic purse will save you back pain now and in years to come. 2.) A Writer's Notebook. Okay okay, I’m sure many of your saw that coming or rolled your eyes, but it is an essential. Put into practice bringing a notebook with you everywhere (and don’t forget a pencil or a pen—this should be a no brained but I’ve done that one too many times to admit…) Then again, most of the time my phone is my notebook, which then in that case, I best recommend using the OneNote app from Microsoft for jotting down notes and ideas mainly because it’s free, doesn’t require a membership, and it can connect very easily to multiple devices—which is incredibly helpful. Not only that, but you can have several notebooks, with several separate files to organize all your many notes. Read my blog here as to why a writer's notebook is crucial to every writer. 3.) A Nook or a Kindle. As much as I am partial to an actual book, I’ve found for my life style, it’s just not logical for me. I live in a small apartment where I am physically limited in the amount of books I can have in a given space. For my favorite, special edition or signed edition books, I keep them in storage for when I can finally proudly display them in my personal library. So since I can’t have as many books as my reader-and-writer heart desires, I’ve opted for the next best thing—a virtual book. I have and constantly use my kindle, it’s much lighter and ergonomic for me (it’s also a bit more environmentally conscious, less paper and more trees and all that jazz). I can have as many books as I want and with my ADHD brain, I can read three books at a time! 4.) A foldable or collapsible keyboard. If you’re like me and are partial to small bags, or don’t want to have to lug a laptop or tablet around, a collapsible keyboard that connect with your phone is a must. Instead of condensing a keyboard to a tiny screen—which for me, when I type, I am never accurate and spew word Frankenstein abominations that spellcheck doesn’t know how to fix—just doesn’t work for me. I can never get out my words fast enough on my tiny phone screen, and most often I stop mid-sentence or thought because I can’t be bothered to complete my note on a tiny screen. Having and using a mini keep board has exponentially increased my word count and is now the leading reason why and how I manage to get in my daily word count. (Not to mention it's pretty cheap!) I’ll leave the one I use linked here if you're interested in getting one for yourself. 5.) Sound deafening earbuds or headphones. For me, my sound deafening earbuds have been a game changer. For some reason it hacks my ADHD brain allows me to sit down and focus for prolonged periods of time. Not only that, but it helps to minimize and noise distraction that may be going on around me. A good pair of earbuds or headphones are great because they let you listen to your audiobooks and writing podcast on the go(click here to read my 6 Favorite Writing Podcast or here for My Favorite Writing Craft Books blog posts). Personally I prefer to wear earbuds more for the convenience of them. I enjoy being able to slip by earbuds out of my pocket and into my ears when I need to. I’d also recommend purchase a pair of earbuds or headphones that not only are they noise canceling but allow for “hear through.” Noise canceling is helpful for those of whom who live in a busy or loud house hold, or for those who enjoy writing at cafes but may not want to hear the busily sounds of said café. 6.) Snacks Notice how I didn’t say coffee or any kind of caffeinated drink. Whether you’re writing your first chapter, 53rd, or are working on your author platform, any kind of mental work is going to burn a lot of energy and calories. Creativity can be, and is, incredibly draining. Therefor writers must properly fuel their brain and body. Of course, that being said, it doesn’t hurt to have your favorite tea or water, but nourishing your body is a must and should not be neglected. As much as that chocolate scone or croissant my be delicious—and yes, it can be soulfully and spiritually fulfilling—it’s not going to give your brain the boost it needs. Opting for the fruit parfait, yogurt, or the whole wheat sandwich with avocado and tomatoes will ultimately give the necessarily nourishment your brain—and body—needs. Even a good granola bar is a better choice than Cheezits or cake. That being said, once you've accomplished your goals, definitely treat yourself to your favorite snack. Be it, extra chocolately-chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream on top or avocado toast, don't forget to celebrate your achievements—big or small. Two Bonuses! Every writer should have book related gear. For me, that means my phone case, kindle case, and computer case all look like old books. Twelve South has many cute book related cases for all types of tech. The amount of time I've accidentally left my phone in a changing room or at a restaurant is an embarrassing amount of times... Thankfully, it was never stolen since my phone case looks like a mini book, the logic here being: who's going to steal a little book? (If you answered: "Me!" then I only have one thing to say to you... Same.) But I'll leave a link here for you to go and check out Twelve South. My last bonus tip is, if you're a writer on-the-go, a good wifi connection is a no brainer, so I'd suggest considering getting a personal hotspot. Anyways! Those were my top tips for writers on the go. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and if any of these tips helped. Happy writing! —Bair✍︎ Disclaimer: Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a referral commission at no extra cost to you. This support helps keep my website up & running, and me writing! Thanks so much for your support! Want to stay up to-date on get exclusive updates and insights on future projects, book launches, writer and reader resources, FREE literature, writing freebies, and a more? Sign up for my Newsletter! Find more helpful writing tips on the rest of my blog. Struggling to get your word count in? Check out my writing podcast! Need a new notebook? Check out my hand-bound books! Support the blog on Ko-fi! INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN | PINTEREST Check out My Writer & Reader Merch Store

Hello world! I know at this point I don't have many followers on this blog or website but I wanted to come on here to share some thoughts anyways. I guess this blog will also serve as a mild, personal diary that I can reflect back onto in the future to come. Anyways, at this moment in time, I'm on the path to earning my Creative Writing Associates Degree, which I'm excited about. One of the classes I'm taking this semester is a creative writing fiction class with a professor I had last semester and I am absolutely loving it! It has reminded me how in love and passionate I am about writing. I have also discovered I especially love helping others with their writing and educating and sharing all of my advice with them. I guess this is my way to remember the reason I started this blog in the first place. This class has helped to set afire under my butt, given wind to my wings, and re-inspired me to my projects and to this blog. So I hope to keep momentum going. I hope one blog inspires another, not just in me, but in you, the reader. I hope that this encourages me to keep writing. To continue to be passionate. I look forward to improving my writing, to sharing it. I want to get better and so I must be brave and share it. Not only have I been inspired to write more for this blog and write creatively, I'm also in the process to trying to get into poetry; to try and better understand it, enjoy it, appreciate it, and write it. In my early journey of poetry, I've come up with a new way of writing poetry that I really enjoy and I have now dubbed it "Matryoshka Poetry." It's where you tell two stories in one poem. There is an "outside" story and "inner" story. The outside story cannot be fully understood without the inner story, but the inner story can be fully understood by itself. That said, the outside story gives the inner story context and therefore grounds it and gives it deeper meaning. This has been a fun challenge to come up with for myself and tell more stories through poetry. I encourage you to try it for yourself. I plan to write a future blog that goes more into my process of how I structure, breakdown, and write a Matryoshka poem since it can be a challenging process. Anyways, that's all I really wanted to say and to you who read this, I send you positive and good vibes. I hope you accomplish your writing goals, and know you've got someone in your corner cheering you on. I'll leave this update with a quote: “Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.” — Jane Yolen See you in the next blog, —Bair✍︎ Want to stay up to-date on get exclusive updates and insights on future projects, book launches, writer and reader resources, FREE literature, writing freebies, and a more? Sign up for my Newsletter! Find more helpful writing tips on the rest of my blog. Struggling to get your word count in? Check out my writing podcast! Need a new notebook? Check out my hand-bound books! Support the blog on Ko-fi! INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN | PINTEREST Check out My Writer & Reader Merch Store

When writing dialogue, does it ever come across as awkward and clumsy, or downright unnatural? Are you unsure whether or not you should keep a spoken line of dialogue? Or uncertain whether or not it has any real purpose? If you're struggling to write dialogue, you're not alone. Admittedly, there have been times where I have avoided writing dialogue altogether because I hated having to write it, as it always felt clunky and weird. I never knew why it always came across off, until I learned that when it comes to dialogue, and good dialogue at that, it should have a cadence, a good rhythm that it should accomplish three things. If it doesn't, you should either rework it or cut it entirely. So while I'll keep this blog post short and sweet, by the end of this post, you'll be able to write natural dialogue with intention and real purpose. Here are 3 Things Good Dialogue Should Accomplish. 1. It should reveal and define your characters. How a character speaks should show what kind of person they are. It should reflect a character's personality, mood, education, gender, age, race, socio-economic status, and profession. So knowing your characters inside and out before ever having them sit down and conversing with each other is crucial, because one line of dialogue that rings clear and true can reveal character in a way that pages of description cannot. 2. It should set the mood or create suspense. As the mood and tension shifts and changes in a scene or chapter, a character's dialogue should reflect that. So don't forget that a character's dialogue should adjust as their mood or situation changes and that it can also reflect an internal struggle. For example, if a character is fighting, their dialogue should be short and clipped; their voices urgent and ever-rising as the fight becomes fiercer. Or if they're depressed, their tone of voice is soft and somber, their voice distant or deaf in their own ears. So the usage of narration and dialogue together can and should help set the scene, as this can also help with suspense. Remember: Not only can a reader's emotion be sparked with a few words, but that action and dialogue are the catalysts that propel a story forward. 3. It should move your story forward. A single line of dialogue can completely change the direction of the story. For example: "I know what to do... I'm going to write a letter to the King." If what is being spoken doesn't help move your story forward or reveal anything about your characters, cut it. It's not doing you any good and is just extra filler you most certainly do not need. *Pro-tip: While writing dialogue, be as concise as possible. Get rid of any unnecessary or filler words that are clogging your sentences. And if you don't know whether your dialogue is realistic or not, either have your computer read it aloud for you, read it aloud yourself, or have someone like your writing buddy or critique partner read it over for you. I hoped this helped! And that you keep these in mind next time you go sit down to write. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, I would love to hear from you! See you in the next blog, A hui hou~ —Bair✍︎ Want to get to know a more personal side of me, get writing FREEBIES, behind the scenes insights on my projects, and more? Sign up for my Newsletter! Find more helpful writing tips on the rest of my blog. Struggling to get your word count in? Check out my writing podcast! Looking for an audiobook narrator? Learn more here. Buy me a coffee! INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | PINTEREST Like this post? Share the link on your social media or pin the image below to your Pinterest board!

The day I publish this blog marks the day, I not only took the first step towards my writing and author career, but the day I started to take it seriously. So to those reading, aloha kākou! My name is Bair Klos, I am a writer, and soon to be published author (perhaps I'm already a published author by the time you're reading this). I'll keep this short and sweet (fair warning though, it is a bit of a ramble). The day I publish this blog marks the day I start the greatest adventure of my life. The day I choose my dreams over others' agendas and put my wants and wishes above theirs. Where I damn the expectations of naysayers and walk towards the future I want and strive to have—and will have. So to those who may be in the same boat as me, join me on this crazy ride as we walk the road of writers to authors. My goal for this blog is not only to connect and provide others with useful information, helpful guides, tips, and resources to add to their writing arsenal, but to provide writers a place to refer back to should they ever forget something, feel stuck, or need inspiration. And for the cherry on top, this blog will serve as a means to document my writing journey and career. I have learned much, but I still have so much to learn—and I cannot wait. So I'll leave with you this quote by Harvey Mackey: A dream is a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline. So my two questions to you are: What is your dream? And how are you going do to turn your dream into a goal with a plan? Let me know your answers in the comments below! See you in the next blog, A hui hou~ —Bair✍︎ Want to get to know a more personal side of me, get writing FREEBIES, behind the scenes insights on my projects, and more? Sign up for my Newsletter! Find more helpful writing tips on the rest of my blog. Struggling to get your word count in? Check out my writing podcast! Looking for an audiobook narrator? Learn more here. Buy me a coffee! INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | PINTEREST Like this post? Share the link on your social media or pin the image below to your Pinterest board!