Chuck Palahniuk's 2014-2015 Essays
In:
Abstracts, Character, Dialogue, Grammar, Literary Devices, Narrator, Objects, Phrases, Plot, POV, Research, Rewriting, Structure, Verbs, Voice, Word Play, Workshop
Chuck surprised us all with a new batch of essays for 2014 & 2015! There is no exact timeline on how these will roll out, so just keep an eye on the site.
Notes on the Craft
In:
Dialogue, Literary Devices
Concrete, practical methods for improving your writing.
36 Writing Essays by Chuck Palahniuk
36 exclusive craft essays on writing you won't find anywhere else online. The knowledge here is equivalent to what you'd get in an MFA program.
10 Things Wrong with All My First Drafts
By Jay Wilburn
In:
Rewriting
No first draft is perfect. We all have bad habits and bad habits show up a lot. Here are 10 things Jay Wilburn seems to find in all his first drafts.
Writing Horror in a Post-Covid World
How do you write dark fiction in a post-Covid world? Be a phoenix, rising from the ashes.
What I Learned From Writing "A Return to Spring"
By Gabriel Hart
In:
Research
Think about all the stories that fall under radar, which sculpted your town into the place it is today.
Science Versus Faith in Fiction
By Peter Derk
Is science an overused tool in writing? What do you stand to gain by adding faith to your fiction?
Nothing New Under the Mistletoe - 40 Versions of "A Christmas Carol" You Should Check Out
In:
Theme
I love "A Christmas Carol", and I thought I'd seen every version out there—I was wrong.
Storyville: Body, Mind, and Soul—Adding Depth to Your Stories
Using the concept of body, mind, and soul, you can create a deeper experience with your stories.
On Using Personal History As Fiction
The international best-selling author and MasterClass teacher discusses the basis of all fiction.
That Time I Ran a Virtual Literary Festival (and Lived to Tell the Tale)
By Leah Rhyne
In:
Live Reading
Many literary festivals went virtual in 2020 (& likely will do so for the first part of 2021). This is a first-hand account of why my organization did it, how we did it, & how we (barely) survived.
Storyville: How Long Should Your Story Be?
In:
Structure
Is there enough meat on the bone to support your word count? It depends on a number of variables.
Storyville: 10 Tips on How to Be a Good Critique Partner
In:
Workshop
Advice on how to be a good critique partner, no matter what the situation.
Meandering, Wrecked, and Random: My First True Understanding of Narrative Structure
In:
Structure
Davidson finds her debut novel, "Sybelia Drive", over the course of 20 years of wandering.
Five Things to Keep in Mind for a Great Opening
In:
Voice
The first line. The first paragraph. The first page. The first chapter. They all matter. A lot. Here are some things you should keep in mind to get them right.
Storyville: Foreshadowing in Fiction—How to Set the Stage
In:
Literary Devices
Tips on how to use foreshadowing to write layered stories with powerful emotion.
Conjuring Strength Through Poetry: Battling the Slasher Movie in Your Head
In:
Poetry
Horror poetry reaches out into the darkness in hopes that understanding the shadows will shed light on our fears.
Showing and Telling, and Trusting the Reader
By Joshua Isard
We all know the cliche, "show don't tell," but it's still a common issue with young writers. That's where trust comes in.
Storyville: Why Denouement is So Important to a Satisfying Story
In:
Structure
Advice on how to make your denouement really shine.
A History of Live Readings Featuring Max Booth III
In:
Live Reading
I am lonely and miss performing for people. Let's take a trip down memory lane.
Storyville: Universal Truths Can Help Your Readers Relate
Examples of how to use universal truths in your fiction.
Using Plain Language in Speculative Fiction
By Joshua Isard
In:
Phrases
Employ language that allows the audience to believe your characters believe what is happening.
"Cursed": The Road to Redemption Starts with Strong Roots
In:
Character
The Weeping Monk is by far one of the most compelling characters in Thomas Wheeler and Frank Miller's 'Cursed', and is a prime example of how to craft a redemption arc.
Storyville: Tips, Tricks, and Thoughts on Reprints
In:
Research
Why should you get your stories reprinted? It can help your career!
How To Read Between The Lines of Your Rejections
By Lisa Bubert
In:
Rewriting
What are those pesky rejection letters actually telling you?
