Storyville: The Symbolism of the Four Seasons
Some tips on how the seasons can service your story.
Storyville: From Baseline to Variation—How to Set and Expand Expectations
How to set the baseline and then take your readers somewhere else entirely.
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.
Happy Birthday To Georgette Heyer, the Salty Godmother of Regency Romance
Heyer said of her own writing in the 1940s, “I think to myself I ought to be shot for writing such nonsense," but her self-deprecation undermined her wit and substantial body of bestselling work.
Telling the Story of a Pandemic and the Future of Now
How do you write about the ‘now’ in a time of ongoing global crisis?
Storyville: What Do You Have the Authority to Write?
Experience vs. research: What stories are yours to tell?
Curious not Confused
By Joshua Isard
Finding the right amount of information to include in a story can be a difficult task for any writer.
Storyville: Turning Your Obsessions Into Fiction
Some tips for turning your obsessions—good and bad—into powerful stories.
Storyville: Finding Original Locations to Set Your Horror Stories
How can you find original locations to set your horror stories? Here are a few ideas.
Storyville: Pacing and Depth in Short Fiction vs. Novels
Thoughts on the differences between novels and short stories, specifically when it comes to pacing and depth.
What Reviewing Nonfiction Taught Me About Writing Fiction
Reviewing nonfiction taught me a few tricks that helped improve my approach to writing fiction.
Storyville: Living Vicariously Through Our Fiction
Some thoughts on how and why we live through our stories and protagonists.
Storyville: Method Writing
What is method writing, and how can it help breathe authenticity into your work?
Dialogue: The Number One Mistake Newbie Writers Make
There's no lack of online advice about how to write dialogue in fiction. But there’s one issue I see over and over in the dialogue of newbie writers, and I have yet to find one post that tackles it.
Storyville: Horror Story vs. Horror Novel
How do you know if your horror project is a story, novella, or novel? Some quick tips.
The World in the Skull: A Story’s Environment
By Jeff Noon
Part 9 of Jeff's 10 part series on the writing of his new novel, "A Man of Shadows."
Storyville: Leaving Room for the Reader in Your Fiction
Thoughts and advice on how to leave room for your readers when writing fiction.
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: Manipulating Your Readers
How do you manipulate your audience? Here are a few tips.
Storyville: 15 Unconventional Story Methods
Here are 15 unconventional methods of telling a story. Why not stretch yourself?
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.
Storyville: Dynamic Settings
Setting is one of the most important aspects of your story; don't overlook it.
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.