How to Show and Tell in Your Writing
When writers show and tell, they do more than just flatly report on what's happened in the narrative line of the story.
How to Improve and Inspire Your Writing: 7 Books That Will Pave the Way
Of the many excellent books on the art and craft of writing, here are seven to inspire you.
How to Begin Your Novel — and Why Beginnings Are Important
The beginning of a story is crucial. It can make the difference in gaining the attention of a prospective agent, acquisitions editor, and ultimately the reader. So, how do you start? Here are some suggestions to help you find your beginning.
Fiction, Memoir, and the Machine of Story
If you're finding that your narrative's energy is flagging, try pinpointing your protagonist's defining characteristic. Here's how that can help your story.
Show, Don't Tell: Writing 101 for Fiction and Memoir
What “Show, Don't Tell” really means: how to write fiction or memoir that keeps your reader engaged.
The Power of Place in Story
If place wields such power, why do we sometimes relegate it to a secondary role when writing story?
TMI Is Not Your Friend
The devil is in the details: thoughts and pointers for keeping your writing TMI-free.
How Reading Improves Your Writing
If we want to hone our craft, we need to expose ourselves to the work of excellent writers.
What Makes a Good Story?
Everyone loves a good story. We all know one when we read one. But what makes a good story?
Writing the First Sentence
When you fill a blank page with your first sentence it can feel like a minor miracle. From nothing: something. From too many ideas about how to begin your essay, novel, nonfiction book, you home in on one and make your initial authorial decision. You may change that first sentence dozens of times, but by...