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...
Your Novel’s SWAG: MacGuffins
The Maltese Falcon. The plans for the Death Star. The money in Pulp Fiction and Psycho. The Ark of the Covenant, sought by Nazis...
Caitlin Starling: Listen to Your Critique Partners but Don’t Be Afraid...
Sometimes, the story in your head isn't what comes out on the page. That's what makes early readers and feedback so important, as Caitlin...
Andrew Martin on the Fine Line Between Autofiction and Autobiographical Fiction
During a conversation with Lit Hub Radio's Thresholds podcast, Jordan Kisner, author of the new essay collection Thin Places, discusses the difference between autobiographical...
