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...
Don’t Preach: Craft an Emotional Experience When Writing Big Topics
In a post on Writer Unboxed, Kathryn Craft discusses the challenges of tackling important issues in your writing, while avoiding preachiness. Instead, Craft urges...
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...
When Do You Know It’s Time to Cut Your Losses?
The sunk cost fallacy is a theory of human nature that says people will continue to invest in something - financially or emotionally -...
Wait – There are SIX Types of Edits?!
Writers who don't like to edit their work - or who don't even bother trying - may be shocked to learn there are not...
