8 Ways to Outline a Novel
By Robbie Blair
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
By Robbie Blair
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!
UPDATED WITH WINNER: LitReactor's Flash Fiction Smackdown: February Edition - Now, with New Rules!
New Rules: 25 words. 2 sentences.
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.
Info Dumps Aren't Evil
By Erik Wecks
Writers are often told to avoid information dumps at all costs, but this can leave a story feeling clipped and lacking necessary description.
The Joys and Perils of Self-Fictionalization as Portrayed in Four Films - or - Why We Write
Four movies that blur the line between artists and their art.
Five Plot Devices That Hurt Your Writing
A list of common storytelling devices writers employ that usually cause far more harm than good.
Dramatic Situation Vs. Dramatic Scene: Win the Fight Against Poor Form
There is a symbiotic "formal" relationship between situation and scene. A clearly defined dramatic-situation enhances the tension of your scenes, and more scenes ensure deeper exploration of premise.
10 Reasons Your Screenplay Sucks (and how to fix it)
In:
Character, Cliche, Dialogue, Grammar, INT/EXT, List, Plot, screenwriting, Syd Field, Top 10, Voice
What makes a reader hate a screenplay on sight? Here are 10 pet peeves - and fixes.
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."
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.
App-tacular: Writing on Phones, Smart Phones, and Tablets
In:
cell phone novels, facebook novels, Plot, twitter novels, writing apps, writing on smartphones, writing on tablets
We're moving on from the land of computers to writing on tablets and smart phones. Here are a few ways that writing is happening with these new implements.
