On Writer's Constipation, The Sophomore Slump and Zombies
By Dana Fredsti
Author Dana Fredsti talks about the trials and tribulations of writing the sequel to her hit book, 'Plague Town,' and all the anxiety and lessons that came with it.
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.
Flash Fiction: The Zorro Circle of Storytelling
Flash fiction can help writers answer vital questions: How can you identify which words to cut? How can you use subtlety to increase the power of your prose? And what's at the heart of a story?
The Art of the Content Edit: 10 Ways To Make Sure You're Doing It Right
By Rob Hart
The proofreading phase is when a book gets pretty--but the content edit is when you really bring the story home. Here's how to do it right.
Storyville: Narrative Hooks
In:
Character, Craft, Dialogue, Literary Devices, Narrative Hooks, Plot, POV, Setting, Storyville, Structure
Writing a great narrative hook isn't easy, but it's one way to grab your audience and never let them go.
Storyville: The Horror of Editing and Revision
In:
editing, fiction writing, Grammar, Plot, Revision, Rewriting, Storyville, Structure, Vocabulary, Workshop
It's been said that the difference between a good writer and a great writer is editing. So let's hop to it.
Storyville: Endings, Twisted and Otherwise
A beginning, a middle, and an end. Let's talk about the end. Make it resonate.
Transition As Metaphor
Incorporate these principles to not only transition smoothly from scene to scene, but to add a new layer of metaphor for the manipulation of meaning and theme.
Is This Your Card? How Michael Chabon Uses Suspense in Literary Fiction
A study of how Michael Chabon uses Suspense in literary fiction to keep the reader reading and to move the story forward.
Storyville: Writing Horror Stories
What does it take to write a terrifying story? Every tool in your writer's toolbelt.
The Problems of the Disassembled Narrative
Just because it's popular for writers to create stories with non-linear narratives, it doesn't mean it's always a good idea. More often than not, in fact, it's a recipe for disaster.
Ten Obvious Truths About Fiction
Ten obvious truths about fiction and its relationship with your readers.
Write What You Don’t Know
Of all the rules that apply to fiction writing, perhaps none is more misleading than the common, banal adage that you should “write what you know.”
Down With The Double Tap! (Why You Shouldn't Space Twice After Sentences)
By Rob Hart
Many of us were taught we should insert two spaces after a sentence, but it's the appendix of typography; it serves no purpose and we'd be better off without it. Here's how to break the habit.
The Changing Character
Does a character have to “change” during the course of a story? Do they have to evolve? Or can they continue behaving the same as always, even at the end of the narrative?
Putting An End To Plot Conveniences
Writers are often faced with the predicament of writing themselves into a plot corner. We know where our stories are supposed to go, but the plot becomes an impasse to resolution instead of a gateway.
That’s So Meta: Writing A Story About Writing A Story
In:
Cervantes, Craft, Dave Eggers, Don Quixote, Literary Devices, metafiction, Narrator, nonfiction, Plot, POV, Structure
When narrators escape--a discussion of metafiction.
On Dialogue Tags: Why Anything Besides 'Said' And 'Asked' Is Lazy Writing
By Rob Hart
Expressive dialogue tags are the mark of lazy writing, because they break one of the cardinal rules--they tell instead of show. This is why 'said' and 'asked' are all you ever need.
The Art Of The Rewrite
A true rewrite is not just editing, proofing or copy-editing, but a complete re-imagining of the work. Here’s a four-part process to fortify writers with a successful re-writing plan that works.
When To Show, When To Tell
Maintaining action is paramount in fiction, but sooner or later we’ll need to deliver expository details for our stories to make sense. So, how do writers engage while providing character depth?
Out of Order: A Discussion of Nonlinear Narrative Structure
In:
Craft, Jennifer Egan, Literary Devices, Little Red Riding Hood, Memento, NaNoWriMo, Narrator, Non-linear, Structure
A Discussion of Non-linear Narrative Structure
Don't Leave Me Hanging...
The ending is the most important part, and as a writer you should want to write a spectacular ending because, hey, you did a heck-of-a-lot of work on the beginning and middle parts.
Talking Shapes: The Rebel, the Follower, and the Witness
Take a look at your work. Are you writing a classic rebel-follower-witness story? If not, what kind of myth are you creating? This essay takes up the mythic patterns prominent in our culture and provides great examples.
Killing Time: Part One
In:
Structure
Several methods exist in fiction for showing the passage of time--from subtle to not-so-subtle. Here, Chuck glosses various approaches while highlighting his preferred method.
