Compelling Drama Exists Between Light and Dark
In an article for Lit Hub, Stacey D'Erasmo examines characters who rest in the difficult place between hero and villain, the complicated protagonists that...
Writing Great Minor Characters
In a post on Writers in the Storm, Ellen Buikema offers advice for helping your minor characters make the most of their screen time....
Use Beats to Set Tempo in Dialogue and Action
A common lesson in theater is learning how to break down a script into small components - beats - so that the actor can...
Capturing Deep Emotions
In a post on DIY MFA, Virginia Hartman says that writing about past hurts and trauma can be cathartic and can help others experiencing...
Your Characters’ Voices Should Play Together Like an Orchestra
In a post on Writers in the Storm, Lynette Burrows offers advice for turning your characters' dialogue into a symphony. "Are your characters two-dimensional? Do...
When to Show Your Characters’ Thoughts
In a post on Writer Unboxed, Dave King offers advice for knowing how much is enough when portraying your characters' inner lives. "When do your...
How Far Will You Go For Your Research?
In a post on Writer Unboxed, Barbara Linn Probst shares some incredibly - and possibly crazy - things writers have done in the name...
Why Dialogue Should be at Least Half Subtext
In a guest post on Jane Friedman's blog, DiAnn Mills discusses the art of subtext and how to use it in fiction. "Subtext refers...
What is Sensory Logic?
In a post on Killzone, PJ Parrish suggests that understanding the hierarchy of the five senses can help create more logical and therefore immersive...
Guilt and Shame Shape Story
In a new post, Kristen Lamb examines how shame, regret, and guilt shape story. "Guilt is a tricky bugger, even in real life," she...
