Invocation of the Muse: Cultivating Inspiration for Serious Writers
The idea of a Muse, inspiration, spirit, or genius, is present in any civilization in which great literature exists. When we read […]
Story Structure
Think of story structure as the skeleton of your tale. We all have different lives, different styles, different appearances. But for the […]
How to Write a Logline
A logline is the first chance your screenplay gets to make an impression. After months of outlining, writing the rough draft, and […]
How to Start a Story: Crafting Openings That Captivate
In the best stories, the reader’s attention keeps in sync with the rhythm of the prose. It’s like a snowball rolling down […]
Morning Pages: A Daily Habit to Boost Creativity
“Morning pages” is the term coined by Julia Cameron in her work The Artist’s Way used to describe the habit of sitting […]
Getting Past Writer’s Block: Causes and Proven Cures
Writer’s block can feel like a brick wall in your mind. The words stop flowing and the page seems impossible to fill. […]
What is the “Story Circle”? A Practical Breakdown
In simple terms, storytelling consists of three things: the beginning, middle, and end. However, this basic structure can often hide extremely complicated […]
The Writing Process: Learning to Trust the Work
Writing is an act of magic. Out of thin air you’ve conjured something and put it onto the page. People come up […]
The Importance of Character Flaws
Without flaws, characters may be admirable, but they don’t feel real. Humans are complex and contradictory. We’re all naturally flawed in some […]
Writing Effective Antagonists: Craft Conflict that Matters
It may sound dry, but at the heart of every story is an argument. The theme (or dramatic question) is played out […]