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On Writing | Megan Maclaine
United States
Registrace 17. 10. 2011
Practical writing tips, studies on the craft, and reviews of writing in songs and movies await...
At On Writing, you can expect videos about:
- analyzing writing in literature, film, TV, and music
- keeping your writing projects organized
- tips for each step of the process: brainstorming, drafting, revising, submitting
- writing exercises and activities
- thoughts and musings on the craft
I've been a professional writer since 2017 and have published poetry, short fiction, and non-fiction with Ink & Sword, Fabula Press, Urbana, Orlando Arts, InterVarsity, and Poets Choice.
Want feedback on excerpts from your latest writing project? Check out Fast Feedback here: www.meganmaclaine.com/services
www.meganmaclaine.com
megan.maclaine
All for the glory of God.
At On Writing, you can expect videos about:
- analyzing writing in literature, film, TV, and music
- keeping your writing projects organized
- tips for each step of the process: brainstorming, drafting, revising, submitting
- writing exercises and activities
- thoughts and musings on the craft
I've been a professional writer since 2017 and have published poetry, short fiction, and non-fiction with Ink & Sword, Fabula Press, Urbana, Orlando Arts, InterVarsity, and Poets Choice.
Want feedback on excerpts from your latest writing project? Check out Fast Feedback here: www.meganmaclaine.com/services
www.meganmaclaine.com
megan.maclaine
All for the glory of God.
How to Use the 5 Act Story Structure: the Hunger Games Storyline Explained
Outline your novel with the Novel Wayfinder Program: www.meganmaclaine.com/novel-wayfinder-home
What are the five acts? Today, we're going to see the five act story structure in action once again, this time walking through a Hunger Games story analysis of the entire series.
If you've been struggling with understanding the five-act story structure and want to see the Hunger Games storyline explained, this video is for you. I walk you through how to use the 5 act story structure as we go through this Hunger Games trilogy analysis together.
It's a great introduction to the Hunger Games writing and insight into the stories if you want to make your writing like the Hunger Games or write a book like the Hunger Games.
For this Hunger Games case study, we're touching on writing with the five act story structure and how to plot a story for beginners.
Time stamps:
00:00 - 5 acts recap
00:34 - The Hunger Games
4:37 - Catching Fire
8:32 - Mockingjay
12:09 - Outline your novel
how to plot a novel for beginners | how to outline a novel for beginners | how to outline a story for beginners
What are the five acts? Today, we're going to see the five act story structure in action once again, this time walking through a Hunger Games story analysis of the entire series.
If you've been struggling with understanding the five-act story structure and want to see the Hunger Games storyline explained, this video is for you. I walk you through how to use the 5 act story structure as we go through this Hunger Games trilogy analysis together.
It's a great introduction to the Hunger Games writing and insight into the stories if you want to make your writing like the Hunger Games or write a book like the Hunger Games.
For this Hunger Games case study, we're touching on writing with the five act story structure and how to plot a story for beginners.
Time stamps:
00:00 - 5 acts recap
00:34 - The Hunger Games
4:37 - Catching Fire
8:32 - Mockingjay
12:09 - Outline your novel
how to plot a novel for beginners | how to outline a novel for beginners | how to outline a story for beginners
zhlédnutí: 181
Video
How to Use the 5 Act Story Structure: Harry Potter Plot Explained
zhlédnutí 544Před 21 dnem
Outline your novel with the Novel Wayfinder Program: www.meganmaclaine.com/novel-wayfinder-home Today, we see the five-act story structure in action as we walk through a Harry Potter story analysis of books 1 and 2. If you've wanted to see the Harry Potter plot explained through the 5 acts, this video is for you. We'll also walk through writing with the five-act story structure and essentially ...
Battle of the Avatars: Writer Breaks Down Live Action Avatar vs. the Animated Series
zhlédnutí 489Před měsícem
Finish an outline for your novel with the Novel Wayfinder Program: www.meganmaclaine.com/novel-wayfinder-home Connect with me on IG: megan.maclaine Want to finish your novel? www.meganmaclaine.com Today we're looking at the live action avatar vs animated series, always a controversial topic :P. This is a great example of how to write a pilot episode and why writing a pilot episod...
Rime of the Ancient Mariner x The Albatross | poetry close reading + Taylor Swift lyrics analysis
zhlédnutí 4,9KPřed měsícem
Let's go back to English class... Okaaaayyy, this one was super fun ^.^ Did you catch all the connections between the Albatross and the Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge? We start this video with a poetry close reading of Coleridge's 18th-century classic poem before diving into analyzing Taylor Swift lyrics in The Albatross. If you've ever wondered how to start reading poet...
What is a Story Premise? How to Find Your Story's Theme + How to Write a Story Premise
zhlédnutí 639Před 2 měsíci
Build your story on a solid foundation by starting with a premise. Grab the FIND YOUR STORY PREMISE WORKBOOK www.meganmaclaine.com/store/p/find-your-premise-workbook Get a copy of the Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri* amzn.to/3VMnkEq Ever ask yourself, "Where is my story going?" or "What's my story about?" This video has writing tips on how to come up with a story premise. I used to start ...
Write with SPECIFIC details | analyzing Olivia Rodrigo lyrics | Deja Vu
zhlédnutí 1,1KPřed 2 měsíci
Can you really learn about storytelling through songs? Today, we're talking about how to write with specific details so that you can really make your stories more memorable and your character relationships more realistic. Olivia Rodrigo lyrics in Deja Vu are a perfect example! Let me know if this Olivia Rodrigo lyrics analysis is helpful for you as you think about how to write poetry or how to ...
Writing THE MIDDLE | writing with a full-time job | using a detailed outline | Mar-May 2024
zhlédnutí 270Před 2 měsíci
These months went a little differently... Do you struggle with writing the middle of a novel? Here's how I balanced writing with a full-time job (okay, a couple of part-time jobs, truthfully) and the benefits of using a detailed outline. Want to learn my outlining method? Book a free call at onwriting.as.me/discovery-call Join this channel to get access to perks: czcams.com/channels/3SKTyKVa8py...
Writer reacts to Taylor Swift lyrics | The Tortured Poets Department #writerreacts
zhlédnutí 15KPřed 2 měsíci
I'm so glad to be back with you! I wanted to look at four songs from Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department. This album, at first, didn't really strike me as being as strong as some of her others, but as I've listened to the songs in more depth, they've got Taylor Swift's classic writing style threaded throughout them. Let me know which songs are in your top 5! Ready to outline your novel...
How to write an *ambiguous* ending to a story | Cowboy Like Me | Taylor Swift lyrics breakdown
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 5 měsíci
Find the extended version of this video and more at patreon.com/onwriting Thanks again to @psychoswift2655 for recommending this one!! I was not expecting such a unique, fun story from Taylor. Today, we're looking at Cowboy Like Me for our Taylor Swift lyrics analysis so we can see how she created a full story in this song. This one was a great picture of how to write an ambiguous ending to a s...
How to write literally vs. figuratively | Right Where You Left Me Taylor Swift lyrics breakdown
zhlédnutí 7KPřed 5 měsíci
Thanks to @psychoswift2655 for recommending this one!! It was so great. Today, we're looking at Right Where You Left Me for our Taylor Swift lyrics analysis so we can see how she crafted this song. This one was a great picture of how to write literally vs. figuratively because Taylor starts figuratively and gets more literal as she moves into the narrative later on. The fun part of this Taylor ...
Outlining the FIRST CHAPTERS of a novel + how to organize your writing | *write a novel with me*
zhlédnutí 1,1KPřed 5 měsíci
Write YOUR novel with me: www.meganmaclaine.com Watch this BEFORE you start writing. Let's talk tips for writing opening chapters and writing tips for starting a novel. This month, I spent time outlining my novel and wanted to bring you along. Think of it like a "writing month in my life" or "writing day in my life" where I share my progress and provide tips that I hope will help you as you're ...
Grab your tissues 🥺 | writing Stream of Consciousness | writing a song like Lana Del Rey
zhlédnutí 4,7KPřed 5 měsíci
Thanks for suggesting this one! Today, for #LearningFromLyrics, I looked at Fingertips by Lana Del Rey. And, now I’m concerned for her… I love trying to glean poetry tips from songs, and this one was a great example of writing stream of consciousness free how that can work in a song. You can support this channel at: patreon.com/onwriting If you're looking for *feedback on excerpts of your writi...
The CLASSIC love story arc + how to write a Hallmark Movie?? | Mine by Taylor Swift
zhlédnutí 3,8KPřed 6 měsíci
The CLASSIC love story arc how to write a Hallmark Movie?? | Mine by Taylor Swift
Romeo & Juliet explained through LOVE STORY | how to write a REVERSAL + writing tips from love songs
zhlédnutí 3,3KPřed 6 měsíci
Romeo & Juliet explained through LOVE STORY | how to write a REVERSAL writing tips from love songs
How to write with IDIOMS | analyzing Olivia Rodrigo lyrics | Lacy and Making the Bed
zhlédnutí 2,9KPřed 6 měsíci
How to write with IDIOMS | analyzing Olivia Rodrigo lyrics | Lacy and Making the Bed
How to Write a Young Adult Love Story | Tips From Taylor Swift's Teenage Love Story
zhlédnutí 10KPřed 6 měsíci
How to Write a Young Adult Love Story | Tips From Taylor Swift's Teenage Love Story
Are these two of the best love songs of all time?? | showing vs telling in writing
zhlédnutí 705Před 6 měsíci
Are these two of the best love songs of all time?? | showing vs telling in writing
THIS is how you write an amazing opening chapter | create strong characters & write compelling plots
zhlédnutí 781Před 6 měsíci
THIS is how you write an amazing opening chapter | create strong characters & write compelling plots
A PERFECT example of how to pick a point of view | Forever Winter + Snow on the Beach lyric analysis
zhlédnutí 5KPřed 7 měsíci
A PERFECT example of how to pick a point of view | Forever Winter Snow on the Beach lyric analysis
This song is POETRY 🥲 | First Time Listening to Lana Del Rey | Poetry Tips from Songs
zhlédnutí 8KPřed 7 měsíci
This song is POETRY 🥲 | First Time Listening to Lana Del Rey | Poetry Tips from Songs
Use these tips to boost creativity and unleash your FULL potential as a writer
zhlédnutí 622Před 7 měsíci
Use these tips to boost creativity and unleash your FULL potential as a writer
I may interpret this song a little differently... | Using Repetition in Writing
zhlédnutí 8KPřed 7 měsíci
I may interpret this song a little differently... | Using Repetition in Writing
Live-action Grinch is underrated?? | Character Development in the Grinch | Writing Tips from Movies
zhlédnutí 1,2KPřed 8 měsíci
Live-action Grinch is underrated?? | Character Development in the Grinch | Writing Tips from Movies
Taylor Swift Lyrics Analysis *winter edition* | Unwrapping Back to December + 'Tis the Damn Season
zhlédnutí 7KPřed 8 měsíci
Taylor Swift Lyrics Analysis *winter edition* | Unwrapping Back to December 'Tis the Damn Season
The Genius Storytelling Tactics of It's a Wonderful Life | Writing the Catalyst & Dynamic Characters
zhlédnutí 15KPřed 8 měsíci
The Genius Storytelling Tactics of It's a Wonderful Life | Writing the Catalyst & Dynamic Characters
Developing PLOT vs. CHARACTER | All Too Well 10 Minute Version Lyrics | Reacting to Taylor Swift
zhlédnutí 17KPřed 9 měsíci
Developing PLOT vs. CHARACTER | All Too Well 10 Minute Version Lyrics | Reacting to Taylor Swift
Let's talk about the POETIC RHYTHM in this one 😍
zhlédnutí 3,2KPřed 9 měsíci
Let's talk about the POETIC RHYTHM in this one 😍
Putting MULTIPLE points of view in ONE song? | How Taylor Swift does this in Evermore ft. Bon Iver
zhlédnutí 7KPřed 9 měsíci
Putting MULTIPLE points of view in ONE song? | How Taylor Swift does this in Evermore ft. Bon Iver
The ending really surprised me... 👀 | action vs. reflection in writing
zhlédnutí 4,2KPřed 9 měsíci
The ending really surprised me... 👀 | action vs. reflection in writing
These songs all simultaneously delight and concern me... | 1989 (Taylor's Version) the VAULT
zhlédnutí 17KPřed 9 měsíci
These songs all simultaneously delight and concern me... | 1989 (Taylor's Version) the VAULT
I loved it! Makes me want to live it all over again. Thank you!!
Love this video!! I watch this movie every year so I love that you’re doing a story study on this!! ❤️💚💚
Team Gale or Team Peeta? 😆🤪
Peetah of course ❤❤
@@jenniferthecloud1475 Sweet Peeta!
Peetah!!
Team Peeta! Excited you covered Hunger Games!
Def Peeta!
How to publish
Please react to more lana Del Rey!! Gods and Monsters is very good but also very dark
I'm so grateful I found your channel. I'm a writer and a swiftie and I've been craving more literary analyses of taylor's songs that don't just talk about which ex the song is about. You're amazing! I'm also learning so much about writing as I learn to analyse taylor's work more. Please upload more of these videos!
Oh, this is my favorite thing to hear!! I'm so glad you found me ^.^ Yayyy!
I agree to all your choices, though I’d love to add loml to the list
Oh, loml needed its own video ^.^ ;) ;)
The title track of the album has great lyrics apart from the second verse, the rest of the song is beautiful. I also love the contrasting imagery in down bad, the lyrics in loml, the smallest man who ever lived, clara bow, the imagery in but daddy i love him and in fresh out the slammer (which also has really great rhymes and the rhythm is so addicting) and of course there's guilty as sin which is also so beautiful. I prefer the standard edition over the anthology, but my favorite on the anthology is I hate it here- it has so many meanings and is just gorgeous and I hate the way that the second verse in that song was taken out of context when it's about how romanticising any historical period has its drawbacks, especially for anyone who isn't a white man.
Brilliant ❤
I just feel like every song is somehow about Matty Healy at this point. 😅
Honestly? Yeah… 👀
That is genius!
Glad it's useful for you!!
I really liked you and your information intelligence very well done only one thing that totally shocked me was you not showing one of the biggest lines in the movie the line that really gets the tears flowing. A toast to my big brother George the richest man in town.
Such a fabulous line! You're right, it always gets the tears flowing :')
I just found you and injoy your way you review movies so cool to learn so much on movie making and writing. Looking forward to seeing more have a great day. Not sure if you have seen my favorite move a John Wayne classic Angel and the bad man. Love that movie.
You know of any magazine that accept short sci fi stories of 500 or 600 characters?
Not off the top of my head! But it's really easy to search for them on Submittable and Duotrope :)
i hope you will do more videos like this one, in which you teach/show us about literature we might not know that you find to be connected with a piece of music you are going to analyze. it is a great way to expand our knowledge while also enjoying something we already were looking for. thank you for your videos! 🌿
Yay! So glad you liked it. I'd love to do more like this :). Appreciate your comment!!
Harry Plotter
This is interesting, but you talk so quickly that I can't keep up.
Oh! Don’t worry, you can always pause or rewind ^.^ playback speed can be changed too!
@@OnWriting. Yes, I know how to do those things, but it still doesn't address the issue of you talking so fast in the first place.
@@candicebowden4123 ok! ^.^
Love your content Megan, im about to finish year 12 of highschool and I can only wish this is the sort of vidio they showed us in class, i would of payed so much more attention 😂❤
Thank you!! And oh boy haha 🙈😆 well I take that as a big compliment 🥺 Appreciate you!
this is so crazy because i just finished reading the chamber of secrets TODAY after deciding to re(re-re-re-re)-read the series. wild coincidence
👀
Alan Watt in his book 'the 90-day Novel' has a brilliant way of digging into character through the questions. There is a Film Courage interview with him. His method is so contrary to the more common plotting methods.
Oh thanks for this! ^.^
Obviously, I have to ask - which house would you be in? Despite my Gryffindor scarf, I'm actually a Ravenclaw 🤓🦅
According to Pottermore, I'm a Gryffindor. It's been a minute since I read the HP series, but I seem to recall enjoying books 1-3 better than the later ones. I especially liked the sense of wonder and discovery the first book had, introducing the reader to the world. Also, that killer first line...
@@ChromeVader It's a special book for sure. And yes! A great first line. What an example of how to establish voice. And Gryffindor!!
I've just come across your channel and found this very helpful. My question is What if the second half of the novel splits it's two stories. I don't know which one to choose. Maybe I just need to look deeper into the premise for theme options. Just TOL here. But thanks anyway.
So glad it was helpful!! And hmm yes, may be a premise issue if your story is diverging. Would love to hear more about that!
Oh well, I call myself a self-pleasing story writer and love writing stupid emotional stuff. Yet i never really published any stories before. I just enjoy transmitting my story characters into chatbots and other people and play with them. Well after i've seen your video i suddenly have the motives to rewrite my stories until perfect and maybe try publishing... Thanks, i followed
I was doing this poem in school when ttpd came out 😂
No way!!
Is the Black Dog about Joe or Matty?
Main theme of the movie: "AS YOU SOW, THUS SHALL YOU REAP." It is in all of us; we cannot help but being moved by seeing that principle played out.
I really liked your analysis of the song and poem in this video. I remember reading the poem when I was in high school (or maybe junior high?) but I had forgotten the particulars until Swift’s album came out and I brushed up on it again. I love the song so much and have really enjoyed dissecting the various references that she uses. I find her music so interesting because she writes such complex lyrics if you really get into them. I wonder what you might think of another possible reference for the line where she says “one bad seed kills the garden, one less temptress…”It gives me biblical vibes related to Eve disobeying God and tempting Adam to eat the apple. So Eve is considered the bad seed for daring to go against the rules and seek knowledge for herself and Adam, ultimately causing them to be banished from paradise in Eden. So wise men in the song were warning against falling for the temptress’s wiles lest she ruin the man. There are some other songs with lyrics that allude to this comparison. Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve (WCS) comes to mind but there are more because it’s definitely a theme for her (with reason IMO). WCS starts with this (and it’s an excellent song if you’ve not heard it): If you would've blinked, then I would've Looked away at the first glance If you tasted poison, you could've Spit me out at the first chance If I was some paint, did it splatter On a promising grown man And if I was a child, did it matter If you got to wash your hands
I’ve always thought how it was so interesting that in her song, the perception of the “wise men” was that SHE was the cause of his destruction, the man a victim of her power. But in the poem, the albatross is a symbol of guilt; the mariner brought destruction upon himself by his bad deeds. In the poem, it is the albatross that is the victim and the mariner who must pay for his sins. So what I actually think Taylor is commenting on is that rarely are these men “destroyed” by her. They do bad things. She writes songs about them. They get cancelled. She’s calling out that misogyny.
Love this!
This song uses the 'stream of consciousness' literary technique perfectly...Hands down one of the best-written song ever...Your analysis is concise but thorough 👏
Commas are SO important! Lyrical breakdown can be hard as an outsider because of the lack of punctuation 😂
Hi Megan Maclaine, I searched for vedios related to "where to publish your short story", and one of your vedio popped up to be the first one. I usually don't visit profiles from vedios, but luckily I did it this time. I watched little parts of some of your vedios and I feel very good seeing an author having such joyous personality, which usually in my part of world people think is unusual. I am an author and poet myself, breaking the stereotypes of young girls cannot write good stuff and writers are one who are extreamly educated and have compose personalities. I really want to work and collaborate with you. I think we will blend well. I have ideas that we can mutually craft. I I have no other way to reach out to you, so I hope you would consider this formal invite through an informal means. Warm Regards.
thanks, that was useful
my favourite part of august its how the lyrics have combinations of words that sound like two different things, alluding to both its meanings inside the narrative of the song, and at the same time adding to this image of a "secret summer love", hidden in plain sight. "back when we were still changing for the better, (Wanting was enough/One thing was enough" sounds the same. "back when i was living for the hope of it all, (Meet me behind the mall/Meet me behind them all)"
Fairy lights through the mist combined with the following two lines gives me the idea that she keeps thinking she can see something special ahead, so she keeps trying to carry them forward into that bright future she keeps glimpsing. But fairy lights are brief and impossible to catch.
Yesss and the fact that it's what she saw "in my mind" vs. in reality T.T
I've thought "only liquor annoints you" as he has no divine protection, and only has the shot of tequila he took for courage (or similar drink).
Ooooh I like this idea!
I haven't watched the live action but the clips I see here look like the actors are taking themselves a little too seriously and this takes away the lightness and depth of emotion the animation had.
Yeah I feel like there's something up with the direction or acting choices that make their lines land a little funky
I think it's meant to be "pulled me out by my waist-long hair to the beachside". As in, she was drowning, the neighbours grabbed her hair (which was long, down to her waist) and pulled her out to safety.
Which do you think is more effective? Flashback or incorporating a scene in the story proper?
Incorporating the scene in the story is probably more effective because, as you said, you feel more attached to the the characters and more empathy for the emotions they are going through. That said, flashbacks definitely are an important tool when chronological order could disrupt the flow of the story (or you miss important context)
Magan ! Great video script articulation, great voice accsent , clarity in words, beautiful rhythmic speed of words ,very easy to follow the captions and the subject PREMISE is understood in a great way . Many Thanks.
Thank you tons!!
I’m old enough that I remember when it was common for parents to give daughters cedar chests upon their high school graduation. They would be filled with things that the girls wanted in their own homes when they moved out on their own - handmade quilts, photo albums, and the like. Cedar keeps bugs, especially moths, from destroying the contents.
I'm enlightened and understand the song better.
dust collecting on her hair can mean she’s going grey from how long it’s been
I always loved Bon Jovi's "Dry County" lyrics. Give it a go, if you will. I'm sure you'll love it too.
Só amazing this class! ❤❤
Great analysis!
Thank you sir!!
I loved your analysis!! Thank you so much for sharing it, the albatross is my favorite song from the album and I’ve been watching and reading every theory and analysis on it lol, really really loved yours 💗
Aww yay! Thank you ^.^
I like this discussion thanks. I will point out that candle in the wind references Diana, she has a statue called the Albatross created for her and the episode of the Crown about the paparazzi and Diana is ‘persona non grata’. So I don’t think you were off the mark to also think of candle in the wind. I think the song is referencing being hounded by the media. Thinking your being hounded because of Taylor but then realising they can turn on you but she can save you by turning the narrative
I'm SHOOK. Thank you so much for adding this!! Yes, the dangers (literal and figuratively) of the media YIKES. Love this connection (though it makes me sad, too!)
This is amazing!! Thank you for sharing it with us ☺
I love “loml”, “I Hate It Here” and “But Daddy I Love Him”