Getting It Right: Accuracy, Truth, and the Fudge Factor
By Ed Sikov
In:
Research
A guide to the responsibilities of biographical writing and how to get around them.
Drag it Out: How to Use Extended Metaphors for Maximum Effect
In:
Literary Devices, Similies
A discussion of successful extended metaphors and how to create your own.
The Long & Winding Road: Part 1- Writing The Novel
The 1st in a series chronicling my experiences with my novel, including finding an agent and submitting to publishers. Part 1 details writing my novel and my first partial request from "ideal agent"
The Path To Publication Part 3: When Is Done, Done?
By Rob Hart
In:
Rewriting
In this installment, I discuss why I haven't been able to meet the self-imposed deadline I set for myself last month!
Autobiographical Fiction: Using Your Real Life To Craft Great Fiction
In:
Plot
When crafting fiction from your real life, tread lightly and follow these tips.
Writing in the Negative
In:
Literary Devices
Sometimes the most compelling elements of a story are the ideas and themes that are hinted at but aren't placed directly on the page.
Get Off The Dang Computer: The Benefits Of Hands-On Research
By Rob Hart
In:
Research
The internet is a great resource--but it's not the best one. To really understand how the world works, you have to get out there and experience it for yourself. That's what produces good writing.
Storyville: Where Do You Get Your Ideas?
Where do you get your ideas? Turns out, you can get them just about anywhere. But the best stories tap into your personal experiences and emotional truths.
The Myth of Writer’s Block
In:
Literary Devices
An understanding of how the human mind operates proves that a temporary lack of creative ideas is not the result of “writer's block,” but the result of something else entirely.
The Period Part 2 - Dot Dearth: Postponing The Period On Purpose
In:
Grammar
A continuation of last month's discussion of short sentence lengths. This month we'll explore the merits of the very long sentences.
20 Common Grammar Mistakes That (Almost) Everyone Makes
In:
Grammar, Vocabulary
A list of some of the most common grammatical errors that routinely make it into print.
Change the World: Write Your Manifesto
You are a writer— an artiste! A creator of beauty and meaning. A cultural commentator. A revolutionary! It's about damn time you wrote your manifesto!
Write What You Don’t Know
Of all the rules that apply to fiction writing, perhaps none is more misleading than the common, banal adage that you should “write what you know.”
The Period Part 1--Lots o' dots: How frequent and deliberate use of the humble period can create maximum impact.
In:
Grammar
It may not seem like much, but that diminutive punctuation symbol at the end of your sentence has a lot of power. This article will focus on how to use the period to create different effects.
Storyville: Research and Duotrope
In:
Research
An in-depth analysis of Duotrope.com, one of the best websites for submitting and tracking your writing.
“Scuse me while I kiss this guy.”: Malaprops, Puns, Spoonerisms, Eggcorns, and other hilarity-inducing word mix-ups.
Words are flexible and a writer can have a lot of fun using these devices.
Down With The Double Tap! (Why You Shouldn't Space Twice After Sentences)
By Rob Hart
Many of us were taught we should insert two spaces after a sentence, but it's the appendix of typography; it serves no purpose and we'd be better off without it. Here's how to break the habit.
Writing Effective Dialogue
Writing authentic, compelling and engaging dialogue is one of the most vital yet misunderstood challenges of the writing process.
The Changing Character
Does a character have to “change” during the course of a story? Do they have to evolve? Or can they continue behaving the same as always, even at the end of the narrative?
Merits of Other Mediums: Going Beyond Books to Improve Your Craft
Many authors will tell you that reading and writing is the key to improving your work and getting published. In this column we examine the merits of three mediums OTHER than books.
The Art of the Live Reading
In:
Live Reading
Why is live reading important and how do you do it? LitReactor tackles the subject.
Putting An End To Plot Conveniences
Writers are often faced with the predicament of writing themselves into a plot corner. We know where our stories are supposed to go, but the plot becomes an impasse to resolution instead of a gateway.
That’s So Meta: Writing A Story About Writing A Story
When narrators escape--a discussion of metafiction.
On Dialogue Tags: Why Anything Besides 'Said' And 'Asked' Is Lazy Writing
By Rob Hart
Expressive dialogue tags are the mark of lazy writing, because they break one of the cardinal rules--they tell instead of show. This is why 'said' and 'asked' are all you ever need.
