Narrative Detour: Rediscover Your Novel
By BH Shepherd
A fun exercise to help you push forward when writing your novel becomes a slog.
Storyville: Finding Hope in Dark Fiction
It's possible to put hope in your dark fiction, quite possibly leading to a more satisfying experience.
Why Coming of Age Crime Stories Work So Well
The movie adaptation of 'The November Criminals' reminds us that coming of age crime stories are the best kinds of stories.
Storyville: Eight New, Mashed Up Sub-Genres
Some new hybrid narratives to breathe life into your writing.
Beneath the Terminus Stone: Borderlines as a Theme
By Jeff Noon
The final installment of Jeff's 10 part series on the writing of his new novel, "A Man of Shadows."
A Madman Scattering Dust: Time as a Theme
By Jeff Noon
Part 4 of Jeff's 6 part series on the writing of his new novel, "A Man of Shadows."
Return of the Son of Twilight Zone: Dusk as a Theme
By Jeff Noon
Part 3 of Jeff's 6 part series on the writing of his new novel, "A Man of Shadows."
A Head Full of Tropes: Finding New Life in Dead Ideas
In:
Angela Slatter, Catherynne Valente, Jess Walters, Kelly Link, Paul Tremblay, Stephen Graham Jones, Theme, Vampires, Werewolves, zombies
Some horror tropes refuse to die. And that's a good thing.
Storyville: The Proper Use of Violence in Fiction
Violence in fiction—when to use it, and when to avoid it.
Storyville: Great Titles—Hooking Your Readers
Some ideas on how to hook your readers with your titles.
Storyville: Writing a Story or Novel Based on One Emotion
Tips, advice and process for writing a story or novel based on one emotion.
8 Prescient Dystopian Shorts—in Short, We're F*#&ed!
In:
Adam Troy Castro, Black Mirror, Dystopia, George Orwell, Harlan Ellison, Joanna Russ, Lucy A Snyder, Martin Amis, Ray Bradbury, Theme, Ursula K. Le Guin, Utopia
Some dystopian tales to remind us to be careful what we wish for-—Heaven on Earth is just the B-side to End of Days.
Words Mightier Than Bullets: Tarantino on Story
By BH Shepherd
A look at the theme of storytelling throughout Quentin Tarantino's filmography.
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
By Robbie Blair
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.
