Of Course, I Didn’t Listen
During an interview with the Write the Book podcast, author Gary Miller (There's No Way to Do It Wrong!: How to Get Young Learners...
To Angst or Not to Angst?
In the newest edition of their podcast, the Writing Excuses hosts examine the fourth element of the M.I.C.E. (Milieu, Idea, Character, and Event) Quotient:...
The Rules of Magic Realism
A headline on Electric Lit promises a "master class on magic realism" and the lengthy article by Marie-Helene Bertino delivers. Bertino eschews definitions and...
Don’t Send Your Readers Up the Down Staircase
Outside the Harry Potter novels, writers need to avoid creating rooms and buildings with interiors that couldn't possibly exist. In a post on Writer...
How to Use Plot Twists to Keep Readers Guessing
You don't need to write mystery novels or thrillers to leverage a good old-fashioned plot twist to throw your characters and readers off-course. And...
Candles Are Not the Answer to Writing Burnout (But Dogs Might Be…)
In an article for the Script Lab, Kathleen Laccinole offers advice on what to do when you feel burned out by your writing. "Writer’s burnout...
Does Your Character Have to Choose to Play by the Rules?
Discussing another example of the "hand in your badge and gun" moment that is pivotal to stories following the "hero's journey" path, Steven Pressfield...
Early Planning Stops Story Problems Later
As always, we begin with our usual kvetching about applying too much prefab structure or - god forbid - percentages to your novel. If...
Use Setting to Reveal Character, Theme, and Change
In a post on Writer Unboxed, Barbara Linn Probst offers good advice on choosing the right details to include about your setting. You never...
Hell – and Conflict – Is Other People
Conflict is a key element to creating tension and showing character change over the course of your story. Some conflict is easy - even...
