Use RPGs to Bounce Your Characters Off Real(ish) People
Dungeons and Dragons has experienced a resurgence in the last few years and its reputation is at least 50% less dorky than it was...
When Your Hero Needs to Feel the Pinch
Creating dramatic tension in your story requires you to put your character in some kind of physical or emotional jeopardy, and that requires a...
Structure is a Thing, but It’s Not the Only Thing
Writers are bombarded with advice on structure. Three-act structure, Seven Steps, 22 Steps, the Hero's Journey--you can't swing a cat without hitting Save the...
Sometimes, You Can Skip the Oxford Comma
In a guest post on Janice Hardy's blog, Dario Ciriello discusses how punctuation can help you create a more flowing narrative, and how meter...
What’s in a Character Name? Sometimes, the Success of Your Story
The naming of things is important. God gave Adam the task of naming the creatures of the world. Magical beings withhold their true names,...
Variety is the Spice of Conflict
Conflict is at the heart of every story. It's what drives the plot, highlights the stakes, and increases tension. It's the main reason readers...
Worldbuilding Should Reinforce Character and Plot
In their newest episode, the Writing Excuses hosts start a new series on worldbuilding. They talk with guest Fonda Lee about her process, which...
Re-Thinking the Passive “Was”
This editor admits: the overuse of the passive "was" in fiction is one of our biggest pet peeves. In fact, it's our major bone...
“Don’t ‘Yee-Haw’ Me!”: On Writing Competent Dialect
The use of dialect in fiction is an oft-debated subject. While its foes are adamant it should never be attempted, an equal number of...
Your Character Should Spend Very, Very Little Time Alone
The Writers Write blog shares 35 quotes about creating characters, taken from some of the top writers in the business. A few of our...
