Storyville: The Intersection Between Plotting and Pantsing
Finding the intersection between plotting and pantsing.
Storyville: Unreliable Narrators
What is an unreliable narrator and how can it affect your writing?
Storyville: Building Up Your Horror Story Before You Tear It Down
Tips on how to build up your horror story before you tear it all down.
Storyville: What Makes Your Stories Uniquely You?
Tap into the formative experiences that made you and apply them to your fiction.
Storyville: Story Dissection — "In His House"
Richard dissects his epistolary horror story, "In His House."
Storyville: What Do You Have the Authority to Write?
Experience vs. research: What stories are yours to tell?
Storyville: Advanced Storytelling Techniques
Tips for how to execute some advanced storytelling techniques.
All Hail the Slasher: The Rise and Legacy of an Iconic Subgenre of Horror
Freddy. Michael. Jason. How did slasher films dominate the horror genre in the 70's and 80's? Let's examine the rise of the subgenre and it's legacy as pure cinematic experience.
Storyville: Sympathy for the Devil
In order for your bad guys to truly resonate, we need to care about them, and feel strong emotions. Even if that emotion is hate.
Storyville: Horror Story vs. Horror Novel
How do you know if your horror project is a story, novella, or novel? Some quick tips.
Storyville: Eight New, Mashed Up Sub-Genres
Some new hybrid narratives to breathe life into your writing.
Storyville: Young Protagonists—MG vs. YA vs. Adult
Some advice for writing young protagonists for Middle Grade, YA, and adult fiction.
Storyville: Leaving Room for the Reader in Your Fiction
Thoughts and advice on how to leave room for your readers when writing fiction.
Storyville: Playing With Point of View
Perspective and point of view in fiction is often slippery and elusive.
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.
Storyville: 10 Ways to Fool Your Readers
Ten tips for the best ways to fool your readers.
Storyville: Writing a Novel Without Plotting it Out
Tips on how to write a novel without plotting it out.
Storyville: Writing About Taboo Subjects
When writing about taboo subjects, be careful how you do it.
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.
Storyville: Fiction As Film—Writing Scenes That Are Visual
How can your fiction be as visual and engrossing as a film? Here are some suggestions.
Storyville: 15 Unconventional Story Methods
Here are 15 unconventional methods of telling a story. Why not stretch yourself?
Storyville: Ten Ways to Avoid Cliches and Stereotypes
Ten tips to avoid clichés and stereotypes in your fiction.
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.
This is Not a Checklist: How to Write a Story
In:
flashback, Info dumps, List, Narrator, Plot, POV, subtext, tense, unreliable narrator, world-building
Some things to have taken into consideration while writing your story. Not rules, just after-the-fact guidelines.
Storyville: Story Dissection - Maker of Flight
In:
Character, Character, Craft, editing, Plot, Plot, POV, POV, Setting, Setting, Short Stories, Storyville, Voice, Voice
Richard dissects another of his short stories, this time, the contest winning, "Maker of Flight."