Yes, You Can Improve Your Writing with Practice
If you're following this blog, you likely want to learn to improve your writing. We do, too. But what's the best way to go...
The Secret to a Strong Plot? Make Trouble for Your Character
In a conversation published in The Writer, writing coach Jamie Morris and writing professor Ryan Van Cleave discuss various aspects of plot, including their...
Tips for Writing Natural but Fictional Dialogue
Writing fictional dialogue can be tricky, because the writer must walk a fine line between portraying how real people talk without transcribing verbatim. Most...
Worldbuilding: Not Just for F&SF
In a guest post on the A Writer of History blog, Mike Kanner talks about worldbuilding for historical novels.
Kanner says his worldbuilding focuses on...
What Makes a Script a Spike Lee Joint?
As writers, we strive to develop a unique voice, to express ourselves in ways that are expressly our own. One method for achieving this...
Use Movie Magic to Open Your Scenes
C.S. Lakin continues her series on using cinematic techniques in your writing with a discussion on how to open your scenes. "By following these three...
What’s Your Character’s Skill
We all want our characters to stand out a little from the crowd, especially our protagonists. Our heroes should contrast with their supporting cast...
In Books, No One Can Hear You Flush
When the audience heard a toilet flush on All in the Family, it was a seminal moment for television. In the before days, producers...
Causation Drives Character and Plot
In a guest post on Jane Friedman's blog, writer and book coach Harrison Demchick how to use cause and effect structure in character-driven fiction.
"Causation...
Your Twist Can Be Both Surprising and Inevitable
In their latest podcast, the Writing Excuses continue their discussion of the promises we make our readers with genre, structure, and beginnings. In this...
