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.
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.
![In Search of "The End" with Tex Thompson](https://litreactor.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/class-small-promo/images/store/05_-_tex_thompson_july_30th.jpg "In Search of "The End" with Tex Thompson")
