How to Use Motifs to Support Your Writing

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

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[@TKHaines]

I like your string motif.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you!

[@opollitico]

so excited for this 🥳🙌

[@andreannelavoie660]

I've never really though about motifs before, so thank you for this introduction! After hearing your explanation, I think I might be using motifs accidentally in my story... For instance, I've mentionned ice creme three time in my WIP, and in each time it was in the context of my MC's fatherly/mentor relationships. Maybe it's a motif for love/caring/trusting? idk

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

They’re definitely something you can do by accident! ☺️ you just might as well do them on purpose too! That sounds like a motif to me ☺️

[@prafullavyas7649]

Excellent examples

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you!

[@darkbluematter1753]

Good video. 👍 I like the idea of motifs but didn't really know much about them or how to make them work.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

They can appear subconsciously or by accident sometimes too I think :)

[@opollitico]

you rock, Kieren!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

NO U ☺

[@opollitico]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting compromise we both do!! So grateful for this vid, cheers mate

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

@@opollitico ok, agreed ☺️ Thanks for watching it!

[@DawnFire05]

I’m working on my first novel, and I definitely need to use a motif in it. It’s a tragic romance, and one of my characters I represent through roses, and the relationship in general I represent through fire and a burning rose. My character loves roses, grows them, and he smells of roses as well. He also has fire tattoos up his arms since he is the burning rose, and I like to use subtle fire related dialogue throughout the story. But it takes place in an apartment in the city, not really any chances to just have roses or a fireplace or something going on in the story. I’m still trying to figure out how to harken to fire and roses whenever I want to bring up the imagery in the story. Not quite there yet with it. Other symbols I have in my story are music/rockstars and superheroes, oh man I really chose some difficult things to work into a story for my first book 😂

[@johnparnham5945]

In my book Hide and Seek. My Main character 10-year-old Emily, when she is trying to work things out in her mind, I say that the wheels in her head were turning and I have used that several times. I hadn't heard about motifs but it seems that I was using one already. I may use motifs in my writing again after watching this video.

[@ryancasey1879]

Love this idea. Really need to apply this more.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you :) Hope the novella's going well!

[@ryancasey1879]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting So far so good! I'm handwriting my story this year, so that is generating an interesting new perspective on the month! :) but loving this concept so far!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

@@ryancasey1879 Ooh, never tried handwriting anything! I'd imagine it feels quite different to just quickly typing.

[@ryancasey1879]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting Definitely less distractions. Only handwriting because of it being a smaller story. But even though I've done Nano several years, I'm still finding my groove with it. Always learning and adapting new ways of approaching the month. 🙂

[@dacrewordsmith]

Another excellent video KW! Really enjoy the way you breakdown elements of story telling like this, and I admire your courage to use your own work as an example. Engaging and inspiring. Thanks again.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thanks mate, sometimes showing how not to do things is more effective, but occasionally I'll give myself a bit of credit :D

[@JoeyPaulOnline]

You always explain things so well, I do love these videos!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thanks so much :) Hope your NaNo stuff is going well!

[@Rose-kh8ot]

Has anyone ever told you that you have a really great narrator voice?

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thanks! I’m actually not a fan of my voice in the slightest 😂

[@Rose-kh8ot]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting You're crazy!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

@@Rose-kh8ot No disputing that!

[@KammiLutz]

Another great video! I'll have to go back through my writing and look for motifs.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

They're honestly something that can happen by accident fairly often, you'll probably find you have them :) But good to be aware of them anyway.

[@qine6559]

Love this video topic!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you! It's something that can definitely add something to writing! :)

[@qine6559]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting yes, and it's kindof a refreshing topic too. Not that much reflected upon among authortubers

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

@@qine6559 Oh good! Glad it can hopefully be useful!

[@laurabesley7095]

Great video! I'm not sure I use this as much as I could so will definitely give it a try!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thanks Laura! Bit of an old video now but glad it could still be useful 🙂

[@laurabesley7095]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting In fact, I'm using snow as a motif in the short story I'm writing!

[@mr.purple7816]

Can you do a “Write like” James Ellroy video. He has a very unique writing style.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

You're actually not the first person to suggest James Ellroy 🤔 I'll read some of his work and see what I can do for future videos!