8 Writing and Researching Tools You Might be Ignoring
When it comes to writing and research, some really useful tools are hiding in plain sight. Here's a list of my favorites.
Reality in Fiction: The Invisible Signature of Your Favorite Authors
The role of real events in fictional stories is an unavoidable aspect of an author's signature voice—and even the authors themselves don't know where the line between the two is drawn.
Storyville: Letting Film Unblock, Inspire, and Add Depth to Your Fiction
Tips on how film can help unblock, inspire, and add depth to your fiction.
Storyville: Living Vicariously Through Our Fiction
Some thoughts on how and why we live through our stories and protagonists.
10 Things Every Horror Writer Should Read
By Repo Kempt
Given the limited amount of reading time in our lives, it's important not to waste time consuming material that won't help us progress and develop.
Storyville: Reading Broadly to Write Better
In order to write deep, layered, original fiction you MUST read broadly.
Instead of Joining a Book Club This Year, Subscribe To a Literary Podcast
In:
Harry Potter, LeVar Burton, List, New Yorker, PODCASTS, Reading Rainbow, Research, women authors
Make it your New Year's Resolution to find and read more books through the literary world's secret weapon: podcasts.
Storyville: Method Writing
What is method writing, and how can it help breathe authenticity into your work?
Storyville: What the 'Best Horror of the Year' Anthology Can Teach Us
There is a lot we, as authors, can learn by reading the Best Horror of the Year anthology.
Why You Shouldn't Ignore Religion in Your Fiction
Religion is a huge part of life. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn't ignore it in your fiction.
Bearskin: A Fast Read 20 Years in the Making
The story of a fifty-four year old’s debut novel. Twenty-plus years of writing, revising, letting it sit, then rewriting and re-revising some more.
Writing the Crime Scene: Blood
By Repo Kempt
A guide to writing realistic crime and horror fiction when your manuscript involves blood.
Research Isn't Writing
Research is important, but you don't want to become a researcher. Learn how to research as a writer instead of writing as a researcher.
Storyville: Activities to Feed Your Dark Creative Soul Around Halloween
A few ideas on how to tap into your inner darkness, as we approach Halloween.
Using The *Big* Words: Five Tips On Making Jargon And Tech Work For Your Writing, Rather Than Against It
By Mike Cooper
With his new heist novel "The Downside" on shelves now, Mike Cooper offers some tips on how to prevent tech-heavy prose from making your story screech to a halt.
Writing the Crime Scene: Murder or Suicide?
By Repo Kempt
In:
Crime, Crime Fiction, detective, Forensics, Murder, Research, Research, suicide, Writing the Crime Scene
Writing a crime scene where a murder is made to look like a suicide? Here's a guide to doing your research and getting the forensic details right.
Storyville: Young Protagonists—MG vs. YA vs. Adult
Some advice for writing young protagonists for Middle Grade, YA, and adult fiction.
Inspiration vs. Influence: Using What We Know
In:
Cormac McCarthy, Ernest Hemingway, homage, Inspiration, Research, Resources, Terror in a Texas Town, Weezer
A discussion of how writers take, steal and borrow content, and why.
Storyville: The Proper Use of Violence in Fiction
Violence in fiction—when to use it, and when to avoid it.
Cannibalizing Yourself: 9 Reasons You Should Mine Your Life for Ideas
Strange experiences, new situations, and faraway galaxies are all great, but sometimes looking inside yourself and revisiting your memories is the best thing you can do for your writing.
Writing the Crime Scene: Mental Illness
By Repo Kempt
Psychopathic kilers, depressed cops and neurotic detectives. Mental illness is a recurring staple of crime fiction. Here's a guide to doing your research and getting the details right.
Storyville: Writing Compelling Dust Jacket Copy
Tips for writing compelling dust jacket copy that makes the back of your book sing.
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.
