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.
Hashtag Haiku: #funwithshortforms
Take a break from all that serious writing to play with a couple short forms--one old, one new.
The Art Of The Rewrite
A true rewrite is not just editing, proofing or copy-editing, but a complete re-imagining of the work. Here’s a four-part process to fortify writers with a successful re-writing plan that works.
Storyville: The Journey of "Rudy Jenkins Buries His Fears"
In:
Research
The journey of a single short story can be a difficult one. Track "Rudy" on his epic voyage.
“I tell the truth, even when I lie.”: A Discussion of Unreliable Narrators
Can your narrator be trusted?? Reliable narrators are the norm, but unreliable narrators are great to read and fun to write.
When To Show, When To Tell
Maintaining action is paramount in fiction, but sooner or later we’ll need to deliver expository details for our stories to make sense. So, how do writers engage while providing character depth?
Strong Words: Pumping Up Your Writing With Better Vocabulary
In:
Vocabulary
Flexing your vocabulary muscle makes your writing better, stronger, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
Writing Sentences With Impact
A guide to writing more active, more immediate, more powerful sentences that will grab your reader’s attention and make them remember what you’ve written.
Storyville: Cover Letters and Bridging the Gap
In:
Research
Once you've got a story written, how do you send it out into the world?
Sixth Sense Settings: Writing Rich, Descriptive Scenes
Incorporating tone/mood into your settings for realistic descriptions that keep your reader hooked.
Write Characters In A Representation-Free Zone
Many writers eschew compelling characters in favor of mannequin tropes that serve as props for preexisting social messages, or characters a reader can “relate to.” Here’s why it’s always bad writing.
Out of Order: A Discussion of Nonlinear Narrative Structure
A Discussion of Non-linear Narrative Structure
Storyville: Finding Your Voice
Embarking on the quest to find your very own literary voice
Don't Leave Me Hanging...
The ending is the most important part, and as a writer you should want to write a spectacular ending because, hey, you did a heck-of-a-lot of work on the beginning and middle parts.
An Exquisite Corpse: Tips for Brainstorming your National Novel Writing Month Plot
In:
Plot
How to Generate plot ideas for your NaNoWriMo novel.
