Stories' Matter
Stories' Matter
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How to Write Character Arcs | Terrible Writing Advice
#booktube #writingadvice #comedy #parody #funny
Unlike you, the characters in your stories should change and be interesting. Because your life is so pointless and stagnant, writing a proper character arc can be a tough challenge for new authors.
In this video, we'll look at four different kinds of character arcs: transformational arcs, positive change arcs, negative change arcs and static arcs. We'll see how straightforward heroes like Patrick Bateman and Travis Bickle follow a transformational character arc and how someone like Atticus Finch goes through a static arc.
By giving our characters flaws, like needing to have sex ten times a day, giving your character a relatable goal, like needing to leave Oklahoma, and having them come to a realization, like that it's easier to kill buffalo than whales, we can take our characters in our stories through arcs that make our fiction more compelling.
As always, please like and subscribe to the channel to get weekly updates of writing advice and get yourself on the way to earning a steady passive income.
00:00 - Introduction
00:26 - Title Sequence
00:36 - Product Placement
01:05 - What is a Character Arc?
01:40 - Transformational Arcs
02:04 - Positive Change Arcs
02:27 - Negative Change Arcs
02:45 - Static Arcs
03:11 - Step 1: Give them Personal Flaws
04:01 - Step 2: Give Your Character a Goal
04:37 - Step 3: Find a Point of No Return
05:09 - Step 4: End with a Realization
05:55 - Outro
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Related Videos:
Fighting Writer's Block: ua-cam.com/video/Jf4XpQjDoW4/v-deo.html
Selling Your First Book: ua-cam.com/video/fr4rPUdQddM/v-deo.html
Why Your Book Didn't Sell: ua-cam.com/video/Zd8ioEq6IyU/v-deo.html
=============================================================
Learn more about John Lazarus
You can find a copy of my latest manifesto here:
web.cs.ucdavis.edu/~rogaway/classes/188/materials/Industrial%20Society%20and%20Its%20Future.pdf
==============================================================
FIND A COPY OF JOHN LAZARUS'S LATEST NOVEL HERE (Note: If you scrolled this far, please support me my purchasing my most recent novel. Unlike most of the work shared in these videos, this is a legitimate book that I actually wrote and isn't just part of this silly parody.)
High Ground: www.amazon.com/High-Ground-Novel-John-Lazarus-ebook/dp/B0949B2QFW/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1629369494&sr=8-3
Переглядів: 90

Відео

How to Write Better Exposition | Writing Advice Parody
Переглядів 117День тому
#authortube #booktube #literature #writingadvice #comedy #parody Much like selecting Tinder dates who seem nice but also look like people wanted for strangling schoolteachers, your reader needs to understand the backstory of your characters and your world to eventually get lost in your story. Writing good exposition can be tricky for a new author. You want to do it in a natural way, without inf...
How to Write a Mystery | Writing Advice Parody
Переглядів 11214 днів тому
#authortube #booktube #writingadvice #comedy #parody #funny Mysteries are some of the most popular books on the market, but unlike my high school science teacher, just because they're popular doesn't mean they're easy. To write a great mystery, you need a compelling sleuth to follow through the story, you need to have a coterie of compelling suspects, each with interesting motivations and you n...
The Only Way to Boost Your Book Sales on Amazon | Funny Writing Advice
Переглядів 88121 день тому
#authortube #booktube #literature #writingadvice #comedy #parody Every single person who watches this video is guaranteed to make thousands selling their books on Amazon KDP. It's so easy that anybody can do it, and the only reason more people don't do it, is because they haven't watched this video. Every single other video on this topic is lying to you. Only I'm telling the truth. The Amazon K...
Writing Great Villains: From Your HR Department to United Airlines | Terrible Writing Advice
Переглядів 408Місяць тому
#authortube #booktube #literature #writingadvice #comedy #parody From the cashier who refuses to bag our groceries to the attractive co-worker who takes your compliments about their body the wrong way, villains are an essential part of our everyday life. In this video, I'll teach you how to grab inspiration from your life to write complex, believeable and compelling villains. There are many typ...
How to Write Complex, Flawed Charaters | Terrible Writing Advice
Переглядів 523Місяць тому
#authortube #booktube #literature #writingadvice #comedy #parody Having flaws is an essential part of the human experience. Most of us masturbate 10 times a day or tell pointless lies to our coworkers about dead family members. As a fiction writer, you need to use flaws like these when constructing your characters. Characters need to have both minor and major flaws to be compelling and three-di...
Why PRISONERS Make the Best Beta Readers | Terrible Writing Advice
Переглядів 787Місяць тому
#authortube #booktube #literature #writingadvice #comedy #parody Whether you want to publish your book on Amazon KDP, query agents to get signed by an independent or Big Six Publisher like Penguin or MacMillan, or read your book to strangers at the bus stop, you might want to run it past a beta reader first. Beta readers are people who read advanced copies of your book and check for things like...
Show, Don't Tell in Writing | How To Do It Right
Переглядів 596Місяць тому
#authortube #booktube #literature #writingadvice #comedy #parody Show don't tell is one of the golden rules of writing, same as "write what you know" and "bring a pistol to any meeting with a literary agent." Showing helps create stronger emotional connections to your work and makes the reader less likely to donate your book to an orphanage for a tax break. New authors often struggle with it, h...
5 Ways to Raise Your Story's Stakes | Terrible Writing Advice
Переглядів 518Місяць тому
#authortube #booktube #literature #writingadvice #comedy #parody Like the best adult film stars, a good writer knows not to blow their load too early. A reader can't get invested in your story if their are no consequences or challenges for your characters or there's no where else for the story to go. The stakes in your story can be internal or external. Maybe your character needs to save the Ea...
Find Work As a Ghostwriter | Terrible Writing Advice
Переглядів 3122 місяці тому
#authortube #booktube #literature #writingadvice #comedy #parody From illiterate celebrities to companies that dehumanize their employees, there are a lot of opportunities for an aspiring writer to make money as a ghostwriter. You can make a lot of money online, in the comfort of your home, doing some online gambling on the side as you work on your ghostwriting projects. And while it's difficul...
Using Symbols in Your Writing | Terrible Writing Advice
Переглядів 8052 місяці тому
#authortube #booktube #literature #writingadvice #comedy #parody Symbols: they give authors a quick, sensory-rich way to convey meaning while giving stupid people ways to pretend they understood a book. Throughout history, authors have used symbols for a variety of reasons, from using things like oil derricks and staglmites to skirt censorship, to ending a story in an open-ended way when you ca...
Biggest Mistakes New Fantasy Authors Make...Terrible Writing Advice
Переглядів 2,1 тис.2 місяці тому
#authortube #booktube #literature #writingadvice #comedy #parody Fantasy is one of the greatest genres for a writer to tackle, as it helps us escape from the disaster that is our personal lives. However, if you want to succeed as a fantasy writer, there are a lot of mistakes you need to avoid. From lore dumps to overreliance on the heroes journey to confessing to cuckolding your business partne...
Improve Your Writing With These Exercises
Переглядів 2,5 тис.2 місяці тому
#authortube #booktube #literature #writingadvice #comedy #parody It's easy to let things get in the way of writing. Anxiety, the demands of your nine-to-five and breaking both hands in a bar fight can be big obstacles for the aspiring novelist. In this video, we'll look at some simple writing exercises that will help you overcome writer's block and hone your skills as a writer. Simple things li...
How I Sold My First Book | Terrible Writing Advice
Переглядів 1253 місяці тому
#authortube #booktube #literature #writingadvice #comedy #parody The only thing most fiction writers know how to sell is their blood plasma. It's a shame your lack of business savvy, charisma and attractiveness is keeping what could be a stellar piece of work away from the reading public. In this video, I'll take you through my personal journey of how I sold my first book. And even though this ...
How to Stop Being an Unpublished Bitch...Terrible Writing Advice
Переглядів 1543 місяці тому
#authortube #booktube #literature #writingadvice #author Writing's not like being a surgeon; it's not something you're born with. It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears just to finish a manuscript, and even after that, most authors give up when Penguin Publishing asks them to swear a blood oath. In this mailbag edition of Stories' Matter, I'll answer some of the biggest questions that new aut...
Four Steps To Writing a Memorable Dystopia...Writing Advice With John Lazarus
Переглядів 2193 місяці тому
Four Steps To Writing a Memorable Dystopia...Writing Advice With John Lazarus
Four Ways to Start Your Story | Terrible Writing Advice With John Lazarus
Переглядів 9053 місяці тому
Four Ways to Start Your Story | Terrible Writing Advice With John Lazarus
Four Rules For Writing Kickass Action Scenes...Writing Advice With John Lazarus
Переглядів 3244 місяці тому
Four Rules For Writing Kickass Action Scenes...Writing Advice With John Lazarus
Become a Travel Writer With These Four Steps
Переглядів 1244 місяці тому
Become a Travel Writer With These Four Steps
How To Write a Believable Romance | Terrible Writing Advice
Переглядів 1214 місяці тому
How To Write a Believable Romance | Terrible Writing Advice
Biggest Mistakes New Authors Make (Writing Advice)
Переглядів 1,4 тис.4 місяці тому
Biggest Mistakes New Authors Make (Writing Advice)
Why Your Book Didn't Sell...Terrible Writing Advice
Переглядів 2224 місяці тому
Why Your Book Didn't Sell...Terrible Writing Advice
Five Tips For Writing a Memoir....Terrible Writing Advice
Переглядів 615 місяців тому
Five Tips For Writing a Memoir....Terrible Writing Advice
Biggest Plot Mistakes Writers Make...Writing Advice With John Lazarus
Переглядів 3145 місяців тому
Biggest Plot Mistakes Writers Make...Writing Advice With John Lazarus
Build Your Author Brand (And Make $5K/Month Writing Online)
Переглядів 1225 місяців тому
Build Your Author Brand (And Make $5K/Month Writing Online)
How To Write Love Scenes (Writing Advice)
Переглядів 1,4 тис.5 місяців тому
How To Write Love Scenes (Writing Advice)
How to Write With Consistent Tone and Voice...Writing Advice With John Lazarus
Переглядів 725 місяців тому
How to Write With Consistent Tone and Voice...Writing Advice With John Lazarus
A Writer's Guide to Biographies...Terrible Writing Advice
Переглядів 636 місяців тому
A Writer's Guide to Biographies...Terrible Writing Advice
Five Terrible Ways To Start A Story
Переглядів 12 тис.6 місяців тому
Five Terrible Ways To Start A Story
How To Structure Your Story (Writing Advice)
Переглядів 2206 місяців тому
How To Structure Your Story (Writing Advice)

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @paulmahoney5326
    @paulmahoney5326 2 дні тому

    Note to self - child's hand and helicopter blade. P.S. Love that Bluey got a mention.

  • @quizdragonstudios8296
    @quizdragonstudios8296 4 дні тому

    Bro I can't 😂

  • @kaiwingo5558
    @kaiwingo5558 6 днів тому

    I love how you unironically give great advice.

  • @charlesmangum2100
    @charlesmangum2100 7 днів тому

    Show don't tell is an oxymoron.

  • @paulmahoney5326
    @paulmahoney5326 8 днів тому

    I'm 99% sure that the symbol for Harry Potter's invisibility cloak and the girl's locker room is pretty spot on.

  • @maxjing61
    @maxjing61 9 днів тому

    When was the last time i heard a creative writing video talk about a dude pegging a dude? - never

  • @7ebr830
    @7ebr830 9 днів тому

    I'm too stressed and nervous about working towards publishing my first book to be entertained by satire. I don't need subtle humour. I need direct, no-nonsense, straightforward, practical, useful, valuable, *_free_* advice. I don't know how to invoke the "Don't recommend channel" because, unfortunately, my screen has already refreshed. However, I have taken the time and trouble to note this channel's name, and I still hope to never again have it sully my recommended videos. I'm going to mute all responses to this comment. I so don't care, and I've said all that I want to say.

    • @DEpublishing
      @DEpublishing 9 днів тому

      "I need direct, no-nonsense, straightforward, practical, useful, valuable, free advice." So instead of the dozens of normal KDP advice videos on UA-cam, I clicked on the one with a fucking noose in the thumbnail.

    • @DEpublishing
      @DEpublishing 9 днів тому

      Stories' Matter: Sullying your recommended video feed since 2023!

  • @youareallscrewed
    @youareallscrewed 10 днів тому

    Never thought a kdp video could be this funny and yet helpful 😂 great work I was shocked to see your subscriber count, I was expecting at least 100k

  • @paulmahoney5326
    @paulmahoney5326 10 днів тому

    I dare say that the border between the Grand Canyon and Mexico has confused many. 😉

  • @paulmahoney5326
    @paulmahoney5326 10 днів тому

    Like Baltimore - ha ha. That paints a picture.

  • @paulmahoney5326
    @paulmahoney5326 10 днів тому

    New subscriber. Your clips are very entertaining and factual. Well done.

  • @razz5558
    @razz5558 10 днів тому

    "Nobody reads the Bible, they just pretend they do. " -talk about shoving your beliefs down other people's throats.

  • @charliegriffin2867
    @charliegriffin2867 11 днів тому

    I'm starting to think the author is out here murdering-- oh, hold on, I just got a knock at my door. I'll certainly be right back here to finish my comment after I see who that is.

  • @aarongamble9450
    @aarongamble9450 13 днів тому

    Criminally underrated

  • @aarongamble9450
    @aarongamble9450 13 днів тому

    Help!

  • @vidhyasaivishruth
    @vidhyasaivishruth 16 днів тому

    i thought I clicked on a channel with 1M subscribers. Very good video!

  • @cuffed2479
    @cuffed2479 17 днів тому

    The Google search suggestions bit was funny.

  • @futurestoryteller
    @futurestoryteller 19 днів тому

    You could've just said it: cozy mysteries, are mystery stories for pussies who shouldn't be reading mystery stories.

  • @moshecallen
    @moshecallen 21 день тому

    I quit after the first few remarks of the video. I've been in plenty of fist-fights, thanks, and don't need some presumptive stranger insulting the audience while pretending to give advice.

    • @DEpublishing
      @DEpublishing 19 днів тому

      I think the CTE from all those fist fights has ruined your ability to read the video description or the tags or have basic media literacy. And if the video or this comment really makes you mad, maybe you should try punching your screen to teach me a lesson.

  • @peterkravcenko9289
    @peterkravcenko9289 24 дні тому

    Bro, your humor is on fire🔥🤣 But okay, seriously though, very helpful video. Especially, I advise all self-published authors to stick to point 9

    • @DEpublishing
      @DEpublishing 18 днів тому

      Thank you for watching, @peterkravcenko9289. Takes notes all other commenters. This is how you comment.

    • @paulmahoney5326
      @paulmahoney5326 10 днів тому

      @@DEpublishing You have a wicked sense of humour. Very entertaining.

  • @Maerahn
    @Maerahn 24 дні тому

    The sarcasm is strong in this one - and I deeply approve!

  • @alexiacerwinskipierce8114
    @alexiacerwinskipierce8114 26 днів тому

    Come for the writing advice, stay for the sarcasm. 😂😂😂

  • @anthonycosentino463
    @anthonycosentino463 29 днів тому

    So he liked his mother's breasts. Uuhh okay. WTF?? What kind of subject matter is this? For weirdo Biden supporters?

  • @DarkrarLetsPlay
    @DarkrarLetsPlay Місяць тому

    Subbed!

    • @DEpublishing
      @DEpublishing 18 днів тому

      Excellent news. Unfortunately, the only thing I can offer you is my wonderful content. Thanks for watching, @DarkrarLetsPlay.

    • @DarkrarLetsPlay
      @DarkrarLetsPlay 18 днів тому

      @@DEpublishing That's enough. :)

  • @Ligmamonkey
    @Ligmamonkey Місяць тому

    Top keks

    • @DEpublishing
      @DEpublishing 18 днів тому

      I have no idea what this means, but thank you.

  • @guineabable08
    @guineabable08 Місяць тому

    L take within the first few sentences.

  • @Thehitessss
    @Thehitessss Місяць тому

    great video.. i like you writing...nd ..want knowledge ..nd looking forward for your more content

  • @futurestoryteller
    @futurestoryteller Місяць тому

    I love the abritrariness of the "villain types" writing advice videos are always trying to categorize everything. "This is the dog villain; this villain either is a dog or uses dogs to attack people, while they exhibit dog like behaviors, like barking, or peeing on your protagonists' rug."

  • @AdditiveOutlier
    @AdditiveOutlier Місяць тому

    Thank you so much! Without your help I would have never come up with my most compelling and relatable MC to date - a spiteful female podcaster who strives to eradicate autistic people through eugenics and a tactical use of genocide <3 I haven't quite decided on the name yet; I'm split between Scarlette Emerald and Fayenne vi Alaheyth Qualismonoeald de Purpuraqua 11th.

  • @user-se1hq5es5y
    @user-se1hq5es5y Місяць тому

    If you come across a writer you aren't sure is dead and there isn't a poking stick around, just ask them if they worked in publishing

  • @rabbadoodles4522
    @rabbadoodles4522 Місяць тому

    I have plans for writing a trilogy. Good thing the story is based on a real life experience and not from "I got inspired by ___." Kind of thing.

  • @lS-je3ud
    @lS-je3ud Місяць тому

    Many of the tropes you've recommended avoiding, are what had been the high-drama of sleepy towns, who'd remember these things for decades.

  • @Bizarro69
    @Bizarro69 Місяць тому

    The fiction writing community has been infected by dullards!

  • @charliegriffin2867
    @charliegriffin2867 Місяць тому

    This might just be your best one yet

  • @futurestoryteller
    @futurestoryteller Місяць тому

    I watch these and I always feel like you miss the best ones. For example: "Write hypocrite; become genius." is my favorite piece of advice for writing complex flawed characters. It's so hilarious because you can see why an amateur would think that's good advice, but they never explain why we're not automatically lovestruck by every depiction of an inconsistent hypocrite. Plus it's usually not amateurs...

  • @charliegriffin2867
    @charliegriffin2867 Місяць тому

    The AUDACITY of one man having so much wit! I can't wait to see this channel explode.

    • @DEpublishing
      @DEpublishing 18 днів тому

      I keep telling myself the same thing every night before I go to bed, then wake up depressed when it hasn't exploded. Oh well...

  • @anjikins6793
    @anjikins6793 Місяць тому

    I feel like I am in r/writingcirclejerks on reddit with the comment section now. I have subscribed.

    • @DEpublishing
      @DEpublishing 18 днів тому

      Great. Tell all those losers to come here and watch.

  • @JeetKunDrawYT
    @JeetKunDrawYT Місяць тому

    this has got to be the strabgest writing channel on the internet and I'm here for it😭😂

    • @DEpublishing
      @DEpublishing 18 днів тому

      Yes, definitely the strabgest.

    • @JeetKunDrawYT
      @JeetKunDrawYT 18 днів тому

      @@DEpublishing listen here you 🤬🤬🤬

  • @JeetKunDrawYT
    @JeetKunDrawYT Місяць тому

    that joke about bare backed penetration made me feel like I got bareback penetrated I should sue you for SA

  • @StupidJellyfish
    @StupidJellyfish Місяць тому

    Hey, that didn't hurt my feelings at all! Great tips.

  • @mihailopopovic4759
    @mihailopopovic4759 Місяць тому

    Most of the info in this video is either untrue/useless.

    • @DEpublishing
      @DEpublishing Місяць тому

      Understanding satire is Mihailo Popovic father.

  • @MrSindala
    @MrSindala Місяць тому

    Encouraging alcoholics and depressed people to gamble? Don't you think there's already more than enough material out there?

    • @DEpublishing
      @DEpublishing Місяць тому

      Alcoholics and depressed people are just one big win away from affording the therapy they so badly need.

  • @tedarcher9120
    @tedarcher9120 Місяць тому

    Peanits

    • @DEpublishing
      @DEpublishing Місяць тому

      Thank you for your contribution to the discussion.

  • @GlazeonthewickeR
    @GlazeonthewickeR Місяць тому

    This is fucking wild

  • @charliegriffin2867
    @charliegriffin2867 Місяць тому

    Bloody hell mate, this one caught me off guard multiple times in the best possible way

  • @YarPirates-vy7iv
    @YarPirates-vy7iv Місяць тому

    This was unexpected and delightful!

  • @tedarcher9120
    @tedarcher9120 Місяць тому

    The best first chapter is a review by Brandon Sanderson on the back of the book lol

  • @gike2755
    @gike2755 Місяць тому

    I hate that I laughed and hate even more that I subscribed.

  • @VinnyRidgeMedia
    @VinnyRidgeMedia Місяць тому

    You've got a good thing going here, Lazarus. Keep it up!!

  • @rosettiwrites
    @rosettiwrites Місяць тому

    What if I am a prisoner also?

    • @DEpublishing
      @DEpublishing Місяць тому

      In a future installment, I'll consider talking about how to get published as a prisoner. But I worry that my advice might encourage aspiring writers to commit felonies just to get a book deal.