Dialogue: The Number One Mistake Newbie Writers Make
There's no lack of online advice about how to write dialogue in fiction. But there’s one issue I see over and over in the dialogue of newbie writers, and I have yet to find one post that tackles it.
Storyville: What the 'Best Horror of the Year' Anthology Can Teach Us
In:
Research
There is a lot we, as authors, can learn by reading the Best Horror of the Year anthology.
Clarity vs. Experimentation: A Letter To Myself
By Peter Derk
Does your work have a worthwhile story underneath the experiment? In other words, are you going to pay off the work a reader does to understand what’s going on?
Feedback Loop: Revisiting Autobiographical Fiction
In:
Literary Devices
In which Taylor revisits her 2012 article about autobiographical fiction and nearly twists herself into a knot trying to explain what the hell she actually meant, if anything...
Storyville: Finding Hope in Dark Fiction
In:
Theme
It's possible to put hope in your dark fiction, quite possibly leading to a more satisfying experience.
Why You Shouldn't Ignore Religion in Your Fiction
Religion is a huge part of life. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn't ignore it in your fiction.
Good Oral: Telling Stories Out Loud
By Peter Derk
In:
Live Reading
Read this before you jump on a stage and launch into your best story.
Three Exercises for Improved Character Development
If you want your characters to be as deep and nuanced as your narrative, here are three things you can do.
Engage Your Readers By Putting Them To Work
By Joshua Isard
As writers, then, we want to ask our readers to do the right kind of work, the kind that helps them engage with our stories as much as possible.
10 Things You Didn't Know About Noah Webster, the Inventor of American English
In:
Grammar
Happy 260th Birthday to the man whose name is synonymous with “Go Look It Up!” (Which is the pre-cursor to today’s “Google It!”)
Is Crosstalk Killing Your Feedback?
By Peter Derk
In:
Workshop
What is crosstalk, and how is it ruining your workshop?
7 Ways to Prepare for NaNoWriMo Right Now
In:
Character
Want to write a novel but don't know where to start? NaNoWriMo 2018 might be the perfect opportunity — here's 7 ways you can prepare for it now.
Analyzing the Three-Act Structure in Tolkien's 'Fellowship of the Ring'
In:
Structure
To celebrate the publication of The Fellowship of the Ring on July 29, 1954, we’re looking at how Tolkien used an enduring story structure to create an enduring trilogy.
Folding Real-Life Detail into a Fictional Narrative
In:
Character
Is there an ethical line when it comes to incorporating real-life details into fiction? And if so, where does that line exist?
5 Essential Character Traits For Ourselves, Not Our Creations
By Joshua Isard
In:
Character
It’s important to develop the kind of personal character that’ll help us get through everything the writing life throws our way.
10 Tips to Help You Write Believable Dialogue
In:
Dialogue
Dialogue can make or break a novel. Here are some pointers to help you write better dialogue.
Taking the Stage: How Storytellers Saved My Ambition to Write
The story of how I fell into a hole with my writing career, and the strategy I developed to climb back out.
When To Utilize An Ensemble Cast and How To Do It Well
By Joshua Isard
Would your story benefit from multiple POVs? And does it have the scope to sustain them?
Writing Emotions Effectively
By Repo Kempt
In:
Character
A guide to portraying emotions in your fiction.
Bearskin: A Fast Read 20 Years in the Making
The story of a fifty-four year old’s debut novel. Twenty-plus years of writing, revising, letting it sit, then rewriting and re-revising some more.
Storyville: Creating Tension in Your Fiction
How do you create tension in your fiction? Here are some tips.
Make Your Characters More Interesting With Lies
By Peter Derk
Ask yourself: When's the last time I had one of my characters tell a real whopper?
When it's Okay to be Uncertain
In:
Literary Devices
A look at when uncertainty can make fiction stronger.
Don't Go Back: Avoid Spinning Your Wheels on Old Stories
In:
Rewriting
While it's tempting to revisit old stories that never quite got off the ground, it can be harmful to your progress as a writer.
The Three Times Your Novel is Finished
In:
Rewriting
Ask an author how long it took them to write a book, and the answer is always different. Here are three times a novel is finished, and how they each relate to author mindset.
