Story Structure: The Magic Bullet that Nearly Killed Me
Matthew Quirk, author of the newly-released 'Dead Man Switch,' talks about the secret code of storytelling he learned from screenwriting.
Open to Inspiration: How Your Own Family History Can Feed Your Fiction
By Alex Segura
Acclaimed crime/mystery novelist Alex Segura talks about finding inspiration for his next book in his own family's Cuban history.
Making A Murderer: How Good Storytelling Made It So Damn Compelling
By Peter Derk
In:
Character, documentary, Legal, Making A Murderer, Netflix, Plot, Steve Avery, Structure, Television, True Crime
'Making A Murderer' was a fascinating story, but good storytelling made it truly excellent.
Five Situations Horror Characters Get Themselves Into (and What Would Happen in Real Life)
Among the lessons you will learn: Karma's a bitch, don't piss off serial killers, and never under any circumstances enter a basement.
The Age of the Unoriginal Idea
In an era where every story is recycled, how do we as writers strive for originality?
Storyville: Writer’s Block—Where It Comes From, and How to Break Through
Information on where writer's block comes from, and how to fix it.
Brainstorm Your Next Novel with Fiasco - Part 2
We come back to our work in progress, ready to fill in some details about our fictional town and its inhabitants.
Abandoning Linearity and Enabling Shuffle Mode: How to Write Out of Sequence
By writing out of sequence, you no longer have to force yourself to write the boring bits. You are always writing the fun chapters. The scenes that remind you why you’re a writer in the first place.
Brainstorm Your Next Novel with Fiasco - Part 1
Having some trouble with your novel WIP? Not sure how to connect the dots or how to fill out that character roster? I’m here to help.
8 Ways to Outline a Novel
I go into several methods for outlining longer pieces, including free-write summary, skeletal summaries, "snowflake" summaries, visual outlines, and more.
Storyville: Writing a Novel Without Plotting it Out
Tips on how to write a novel without plotting it out.
Storyville: Death in Fiction
In:
American Psycho, Character, Death, Jack Ketchum, John Steinbeck, Narrator, Plot, Storyville, Theme
Death in fiction — who, what, when, where and why.
Storyville: Kill Your Darlings—How 'Game of Thrones' Can Change Your Writing
We can learn some valuable lessons about plotting, characters, and expectations from watching (or reading) 'Game of Thrones.'
Storyville: Three Essential Books On Writing
In:
Character, Craft, Dialogue, Jeff VanderMeer, Plot, Stephen King, Storyville, Structure, Theme, Voice
Three essential books on writing by Stephen King, Donald Maas and Jeff VanderMeer.
UPDATED WITH WINNER - LitReactor's Flash Fiction Smackdown: January Edition
New year, new rules. This month, write about something "new" in 14 words or less.
Storyville: Dissecting "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oates
In:
Character, Joyce Carol Oates, Literary Devices, Plot, POV, Research, Setting, Short Stories, Storyville, Structure
One of the most talked about, published and taught stories, I dissect "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oates.
Updated With Winners: LitReactor's Flash Fiction Smackdown: September Edition (...and another chance to win Chuck Palahniuk's new book!)
Get another chance to win one of three copies we are giving away of Chuck Palahniuk's next book Doomed by writing a metaphor for Purgatory in 25 words or less.
Joshua Mohr and Anisse Gross Talk Plot
By Joshua Mohr
LitReactor instructor and 'Fight Song' author Joshua Mohr talks writing plots with The Rumpus film editor Anisse Gross. You should probably listen.
7 Things Dungeons & Dragons Taught Me About Storytelling
A nerdy confessional where I go back through some tabletop RPG experiences that taught me valuable storytelling truths.
Life-Changers and Soul-Crushers: 3 Books I Feel Blessed to Have Read & 3 I Wish I Could Obliterate from My Memory
Let the debates begin! Three books that made me want to be a better writer and better person, and three books that made me want to gouge my eyes out.
Storyville: Dissecting "Fireflies"
In:
Analysis, Character, Dissection, Plot, POV, Research, Setting, Short Stories, Storyville, Structure
Dissecting my story, "Fireflies," I shine a light on my first attempt at magical realism — craft, process, and structure.
UPDATED WITH WINNER - LitReactor's Flash Fiction Smackdown: March Edition
Two sentences. 25 words. Flash!
