Rivals, Bullies, and Frenemies: Tips for Developing Multiple Kinds of Opponents
Conflict is at the heart of every story and integral to every element. If your protagonist has no opponent - human or otherwise -...
The Secret Power of Failure
Most novels chart the journey of a protagonist towards a worthy goal and culminate in their success, usually after experiencing great difficulty or tragedy....
Your Villain Needs Humanity, History
Creating a one-dimensional villain is a cardinal sin of writing. While readers love to root against a bad guy, they need to feel more...
Enhance Your Worldbuilding By Understanding Anthropology
In an interview with the Creative Penn podcast, Michael Kilman discusses how writers can use anthropology — the study of human cultures — to...
A Great Fight Scene Happens Inside Your Character’s Head Too
Good craft work will make or break a fight scene. Bad writing can leave a physical conflict flat on the page, while superior work...
Middles and Conflicts with M.I.C.E. Structure
In their latest podcast, the Writing Excuses hosts examine the MICE elements (Milieu, Inquiry, Character, and Event) in the context of the difficult middle...
Petty Slights or Systemic Violence: Vengeance Writing Can Help You Vent,...
Writers often joke about the role revenge plays in their writing. "Don't piss me off," they'll say, "or I'll kill you off in my...
How Much Honesty Can Your Writing Stand?
In a post on Writer Unboxed, Jim Dempsey writes about giving a colleague feedback on stories that fictionalize real people and events. The colleague...
The Value of Research: Reimagining Historical Figures
Writers of historical fiction often discover interesting tidbits to flavor their novels or events that alter the direction of their plot. Sometimes, they learn...
Why Historical Mysteries May Require Careful Research
Writing historical fiction presents creative challenges distinct from other types of fiction. Adding genre elements - such as a mystery - can complicate your...
