Nicole Bianchi

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How to Write a Powerful Inciting Incident (Video)

Published September 12, 2021 | Last Updated November 13, 2023 By Nicole Bianchi 2 Comments

The inciting incident or “call to adventure” is the event that launches the main action of a story, whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction.

When your inciting incident is powerful and upends the life of your protagonist, you have one of the key ingredients for a gripping and unforgettable story that your readers won’t be able to put down.

In this video, I share three rules for crafting powerful inciting incidents and also look at mistakes to avoid when writing this critical part of your story.

I hope you enjoy the video! It would be awesome if you could give it a thumbs up and leave a comment on YouTube. This helps me know you are enjoying these videos. Do you have any more tips for writing a gripping inciting incident?

Also make sure to subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already!

I’ve just started making YouTube videos and really appreciate your support. I hope the video inspires you with your writing. Thanks for watching! 

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

  • 📚 Complete Playlist of Story Structure Videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2…
  • 📚 The Hero’s Journey (video): https://youtu.be/yYSTz1H6buc
  • 📚 The Ordinary World (video): https://youtu.be/VM9l1McnPbo
  • 📚 “Story” by Robert McKee: https://amzn.to/2OayIKC (Amazon affiliate link)
  • 📚 My email newsletter, The Inkwell: https://nicolebianchi.com/newsletter/

Some of the above links might be affiliate links. Thank you for helping to support the blog!

Filed Under: creativity, editing, featured, fiction, video, writing

5 Writing Exercises for Creating Compelling Characters

Published July 24, 2021 | Last Updated April 10, 2024 By Nicole Bianchi 2 Comments

Álvaro Serrano on Unsplash

When you think of unforgettable characters from books you’ve read, who comes to mind?

For me, I might think of Bilbo Baggins heading off on an adventure in Middle Earth or Ebenezer Scrooge being whisked away by the Christmas spirits or Jane Eyre trying to forge her own path in Victorian England.

What makes characters like these so unforgettable? What makes them feel as if they were real people rather than just creations of the author?

These characters come to life because they have complex personalities. They’re not stereotypes. Each one has dreams and desires, flaws and foibles. This makes them compelling and relatable to readers who come to those books even hundreds of years after they’ve been published.

Ernest Hemingway once observed, 

When writing a novel, a writer should create living people; people not characters. A character is a caricature.

In today’s blog post, I’m sharing five character development writing exercises that will help you create living people for your stories. These exercises will guide you to examine your characters on a deeper level so you write memorable characters and thought-provoking stories that delight your readers.

(Please note that links to the books are affiliate links which means I’ll earn a small commission if you buy through the link with no extra cost to you. Thank you!)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: creativity, featured, fiction, inspiration, writing

How to Start A Story: “The Ordinary World” Technique (Video)

Published July 10, 2021 | Last Updated November 13, 2023 By Nicole Bianchi Leave a Comment

I’m excited to share a new video with you today! 

How can you write a compelling opening that captivates readers? In this video, I dive into how to hook readers with the concept of “The Ordinary World” from Joseph Campbell’s story structure “The Hero’s Journey”. Discover five ingredients for powerful openings whether you’re writing a fiction or nonfiction book, a screenplay, or a short story.

I hope you enjoy the video! It would be awesome if you could give it a thumbs up and leave a comment. Do you have any other story opening tips to add to my list?

Also make sure to subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already!

I’ve just started making YouTube videos and really appreciate your support. I hope the video inspires you with your writing. Thanks for watching! 

**RECOMMENDED RESOURCES**:

  • 📚 The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler: https://amzn.to/3jY8LLH (affiliate link)
  • 📚 My video on The Hero’s Journey: https://youtu.be/yYSTz1H6buc
  • 📚 My email newsletter: https://nicolebianchi.com/newsletter/

Some of the above links might be affiliate links. Thank you for helping to support the blog!

Filed Under: creativity, featured, fiction, inspiration, video, writing

A Flock of One Hundred Birds (Short Story)

Published May 15, 2021 | Last Updated May 15, 2021 By Nicole Bianchi Leave a Comment

I have something a little different to share with you today: a new short story! When the spring weather arrives here in North Carolina, I always feel more creatively inspired. So here’s a spring gift for you:

A Flock of One Hundred Birds (A Short Story)

“If it hadn’t been for the war, he might never have met her. It happened on one of those nightmarish evenings when above ground the city rocked with bombs while below ground crowds of people huddled together in subway stations converted into air raid shelters. He stood alone in the wavering electric light and scanned the surrounding faces. His eyes searched for a friendly one that would allow him to exchange a few words and forget the worry that his apartment building might soon be replaced by a giant crater. Then he saw her…”

I hope you enjoy the story!

Filed Under: creativity, featured, fiction, writing

How To Use “The Hero’s Journey” in Fiction and Nonfiction Writing (video)

Published April 24, 2021 | Last Updated November 13, 2023 By Nicole Bianchi 1 Comment

I’m excited to share a new video with you today! 

It’s all about the fantastic story template called the Hero’s Journey. In this video, I look at how you can use this template for both fiction and nonfiction to make your writing more compelling and captivate your readers.

I hope you enjoy the video! It would be awesome if you could give it a thumbs up and leave a comment. Have you used the hero’s journey before or will you use it in a future piece of writing? Also make sure to subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already!

I’ve just started making YouTube videos and really appreciate your support. I hope the video inspires you with your writing. Thanks for watching! 

**RECOMMENDED RESOURCES**:

  • 📚 Christopher Vogler’s book The Writer’s Journey (affiliate link)
  • 📚 How to Come Up With Story Ideas (Video)
  • 📚 Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller (affiliate link)
  • 📚 How to Use the Hero’s Journey to Write Blog Posts (Article)
  • 📚 My Website Copywriting Course

Some of the above links might be affiliate links. Thank you for helping to support the blog!

Filed Under: blogging, copywriting, creativity, editing, featured, fiction, inspiration, writing

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Hi, I’m Nicole! I help creatives, business owners, and writers take their writing and copywriting to the next level and grow their online audience. I’m also a published writer of essays and short stories. As a Christian, I seek to follow in the tradition of artists like Johann Sebastian Bach, dedicating all my work Soli Deo gloria.
Find out more about me here.
•••
“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.”
– Psalm 45:1

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