Jessica Jones vs. Sansa Stark: Rape Culture in Entertainment, and Why We Should Talk About It
By Leah Rhyne
In:
A Song of Ice and Fire, Character, Comics, game of thrones, Jessica Jones, Literary Devices, Marvel, Rape, Theme
Trigger warning: We are going to talk about rape, and our reactions to the loss of innocence vs. the thirst for revenge.
Fiction Shmiction: The Complex Question of Writing as Activism
If we're all creating a broader social narrative and constructing damaging roles, does that mean we should portray the world as it should be rather than as it is? Tough question. Let's unpackage it.
Writing 'The Other'
When does writing about The Other stop being an exercise in understanding and become something exploitative?
Storyville: Love Instead of Death—Writing With Heart
Replace death with love, in your writing, and see what happens.
Storyville: Writing About Taboo Subjects
When writing about taboo subjects, be careful how you do it.
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.
Shelving a Fear of Romance
Trade romance sales make up the largest share of the U.S. consumer book market, yet they carry a lot of negative associations. Does romance deserve a second chance?
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.
Different Ways to Tell the Truth: A Primer on Creative Nonfiction Subgenres
There are many ways to tell a true story--here are just a few.
The Pen and the Sword: Ten Books That Instigate Conflict and Promote Peace
Books are not always innocent creations. Time and again, the written word has helped to both inflame and resolve human conflicts.
UPDATED WITH WINNER: LitReactor's Flash Fiction Smackdown: October Edition
I dare you to scare me. 25 words. 2 sentences. Endless opportunity for horror and pre-Halloween fright.
The Devil That You Know: Literature's Evil Archetype
Old Nick has left his stamp on literature ever since men began putting pen to paper. Whether literally or figuratively, nearly everyone has a demon or two waiting to jump onto the page.
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.
The Safety of Transgression versus the Risk of Honesty
Being deliberately transgressive is the safest move a writer can make.
10 Stories We Never Need to See in Workshops Again
A list of the some of the most predictable, clichéd storylines that somehow continue to appear in fiction workshops again, and again, and again.
Ghostly Doppelgangers, Bell-Ringing Goblins, and More Cranky Old Rich Jerks: Get in the Holiday Spirit With Some Lesser Known Dickens
Can't get enough Dickens at Christmas time? Check out his lesser-known holiday-themed works.
Storyville: Happy, Not Sappy
It's not easy to write a happy story that is not melodramatic, but here are some tips on how to get there.
Understanding the Objective Correlative
One way to embed a central theme in a story is with the use of a literary device commonly referred to as the Objective Correlative.
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.
Splat Goes the Hero: Visceral Horror
By Jack Ketchum
Jack Ketchum on violence, pain, and the importance of not looking away.
The Spiraling Narrative
Plots shouldn't unfold with cause-and-effect insomuch as careful repetitions of symbolism and theme. Here's one way you can do this without forcing the story to wear symbolism on it sleeve.
