**Greetings! Mother Earth says hello!**
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/wJgArlb.jpg" width="680" height="400"/>
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# Different Processes for Different People... #

I've heard these descriptors from established authors about the two typical camps in which writers tend to fall: pioneers and gardeners (or discovery and plotters). A pioneer will write the story with little to no planning, and gardeners are those who outline extensively. And then there are writers who do a bit of both. 

I am a heavy discovery writer. I do no planning beforehand. Of course, this has its caveats. First and foremost being that a pioneer's endings are usually fairly weak. A gardener doesn't have this problem, but one of their drawbacks is either poor characterization (allowing the rigid plot to bleed through the story instead of the characters being the highlight) or an over-emphasis on world-building.  Whatever your style, know this: there is technically no wrong way to go about writing a story. Do what works for you. 

# Why I'm a Pioneer #

I'm a pioneer writer because for me, it's more fun watching the story unfold as opposed to knowing exactly what happens. Generally, however, I'll think rather hard on where I want the story to go. So I essentially have points A and B. How I get from one destination to the next is entirely up to me as long as everything follows a logical pattern. I can take detours, but those detours have to be worth it and they have to further the story in a way that's meaningful. But because of my lack of initial scheming, the stories I create tend to have problems with character choices and, as aforementioned, a confusing or lackluster conclusion. 

This is where the editing bay comes in, and why one should never take a good editor for granted.  A good editor recognizes your style and works within that scope. Their main goal is to improve the overall quality while retaining the author's unique voice. This isn't an easy thing to do, and why for me @thewritersblock has been an absolute blessing. The members that volunteer their time in the Workshops are some of the most talented and intelligent individuals I have ever had the pleasure of encountering. My work is all the better because of their efforts to make me into the best penman I can be. If you're a budding writer, and you want to improve your craft, I highly suggest checking them out. They're fantastic. 

# The Visual Storyteller: Treating Stories Like Films #

Most films don't use inner monologue (or reveal a character's thoughts). Instead, a character's actions and reactions let the audience know what they're thinking without directly *telling* them. For me, I want the reader to be able to visualize as much as possible.  What does the reader *see* when I write this sentence? What does it reveal about the character? 

You may have heard this old adage: "Show, don't tell." You can do both, but telling should be used carefully. I tend to avoid it, but that's me. @caleblailmusik has a post about adverbs that provides excellent examples of what not to do, particularly in relation to dialogue tags. 

> He said angrily. 

The above is a representation of telling and is a sign of relatively weak writing. As Caleb says, it disrupts flow and distracts the reader. A better example (hopefully) would be the following: 

> ...he said, slamming his fists into the table

You could even eliminate the tag altogether and simply combine the dialogue with an action. 

> "I don't have time for this crap!" She threw cups at his face. 

... Not the best, admittedly, but you get my point. 

J.K. Rowling is a fierce user of adverbs in combination with tags. My wife says this is fine and defends the Harry Potter author to kingdom come, but for me, when she reads aloud some of the passages to me, I can't help but cringe on the inside. 

I certainly wouldn't claim to be the best writer but I've learned a bunch these past few months. And with the first week of Write Club on its final lap, I can't wait to see what advice I get from the other writers when they storm through the queue. Point out my mistakes and make me cry. I dare you. 

Okay, don't make me cry. But... you get it. 

Stayed tuned, folks! Part Two for *Planet Endera and the Fallen Paragon* should arrive sometime today!