Parallelism: Crafting Meaning in Repetition
There’s no rhythm without some repeated notes. Certain literary and rhetorical devices are so ingrained in how we speak and think that […]
The Dark Night of the Soul
The “dark night of the soul” is that moment in a story where all seems lost. It is the biggest challenge your […]
What is “In Medias Res”?
Some stories drop you straight into the middle of chaos in the first scene, giving little to no explanation. This might feel […]
High Fantasy vs Low Fantasy
All stories have some magic in them. On one end of the spectrum, you have stories spanning across galaxies with space wizards […]
The Art of Narrative Misdirection
Misdirection — the art of strategically concealing and revealing information — is one of the most potent literary tools that can enrich […]
The Tragic Hero
Tragic heroes are like a falling star, burning, hurtling to their doom, but are a sight to behold all the same. They […]
Setting: Establishing the World
Setting isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a signal, cueing the reader how to read what comes next. Before a character speaks a […]
The Antihero Explained
Stories are not always about morally spotless heroes, nor should they be. Truly compelling protagonists have flaws that affect their choices and […]
How to Write a Hook
When you’re at the bookstore surfing for a good read, you’re often trying to get a sense of the tone and texture […]
What is a Hook?
Try to recall your favorite story. How did it begin? What were the first words? If the first lines of a book […]
Symbolism in Storytelling
Does the word “symbolism” give you unwelcome flashbacks to your high school English classes? The idea is foreign when we first hear […]
How to Write an Effective Synopsis
Previously, I unpacked the theory behind synopsis writing, explored the mechanics of what makes a synopsis work, and defined its purpose. A […]
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
It may sound dry, but at the heart of every story is an argument. The theme (or dramatic question) is played out […]
Your Writing Guide to “Show, Don’t Tell”
I suppose everything is easier said than done. The same is true for writing. It’s one thing to say a person is […]
Mastering the Anti-Villain
In storytelling, we have heroes and villains, but where do anti-villains fit in? Who are they, and why have they become so […]
What Makes a Protagonist?
When you think of your favorite movies or books, what’s the first thing you think of? Is it the setting, the twist […]
Writing Monologues That Matter
Most of our everyday speech happens in dialogue — in conversations. You might talk to yourself from time to time, but odds […]
