Know Your Enemy…and Beat the Crap Out of It
Writing fight scenes between two human characters is difficult enough. We've all marveled at the way action movie protagonists can take massive amounts of...
Tips on Recovering from a Writing Break
Lately we've shared advice on determining when it's time to take a break from your writing and what you can do with that time...
How to Crack into a Character’s Head
Sometimes writers are lucky enough to have a character (or three) arrive fully formed in our heads. We know their wants and desires, their...
Your Story World Can Benefit From Small, Unlikely Connections
Otters aren't merely nature's adorable sea puppies; they also might be helping to fight climate change, according to an article from the BBC. "Sea...
Here’s Your Permission to Take a Break
Productivity goals. Word count challenges. NaNoWriMo. Five books a year. Write one, submit one. As a writer, you'll be forgiven if you feel like...
The Joys of Big Casts
Writers are often told not to feature too many characters in their novels. You'll find it hard to keep track of them all. Readers...
Watch Out for Unnecessary Redundant Words
In a post on Killzone, writer and writing coach James Scott Bell says writers should be wary of "gilding the lily" - over-explaining or...
Using Fear as a Weapon and a Hill to Conquer
Fear: a vital element for thriller and horror fiction, but also an emotion commonly found in stories of all types. Mastering the expression of...
Bring Your M.I.C.E. Together for a Satisfying Story
In the latest edition of their podcast, the Writing Excuses hosts have their final discussion about the M.I.C.E. (Milieu, Inquiry, Character, and Event) elements...
“The Writer You Are is Enough.”
In an interview with Lit Hub, Ruth Ozeki (A Book of Form and Emptiness) shares some of the best advice she's received about the...
