How to “Kill Your Darlings” Without Killing Your Voice
“Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.” – Stephen King Of […]
What is an Allusion? How to Enrich Your Story with Meaning
Stories become richer when they wink at the world beyond their pages, and that’s exactly what an allusion does. By dropping hints […]
Understanding Rhetorical Choices: Technique, Tone, and Purpose
Rhetorical choices shape not just what we say, but how we make people feel and think. Every speech, story, or written argument […]
What is a Motif? A Writer’s Guide to Recurring Meaning
Motifs are one of the best literary devices you can have in your writer’s toolbox. Essentially, a motif is a recurring element […]
Novel Genres: Top 9 Fiction Categories
When talking about your writing project with a friend, one of their first questions will likely be “What is the genre?” To […]
The Unreliable Narrator: All You Need to Know
Usually when you open a book and you’re embarking on a new adventure, you believe what the narrator tells you is true. […]
The Hero’s Journey: A Structure Template
It’s a tale as old as time. The protagonist is torn from their ordinary life and sets off to face a challenge. […]
How to Write Dynamic Characters
Creating memorable stories begins with creating memorable characters—those who struggle, adapt, and ultimately transform. While some characters find their strength in sticking […]
The Keys to Allegory: Building Symbolism That Lasts
An allegory is like taking a step back in an art gallery to analyze a painting in its entirety. Characters become like […]
Coming of Age: 2 Main Story Elements
Coming of age is never easy. You might have been the popular kid in school, armed with academic excellence, physical prowess, and […]
How to Use Mannerisms Effectively
You’ve created a character. You’ve crafted their backstory, motivation, and physical features, but maybe they still feel wooden to you. What can […]
Epigraph: A Clue to Your Story
Before a story begins, you can include an epigraph to signal your protagonist’s dilemma, the tone, and even foreshadow the ending with […]
Rhetorical Devices: The Art of Arguing
In the modern world where the town square is a digital place and the zeitgeist is a worldwide phenomenon, we don’t practice […]
Literary Devices: A Writer’s Palette
Literary devices are the various techniques writers employ to create stylistic effects, convey deeper meaning, evoke emotion, and enhance the overall impact […]
How to Write a Flashback: Techniques for Powerful Storytelling
Flashbacks are one of the most powerful tools you can use to reveal the deeper layers of a character’s life. They allow […]
What is Foreshadowing? Planting Clues for a Powerful Payoff
Foreshadowing is a key element in creating a satisfying conclusion to a story. This is the craft of planting quiet promises in […]
Harness the Power of Dramatic Irony
A powerful way to shift the perspective of your audience is to employ dramatic irony. This literary device lets the audience see […]
How to Create Situational Irony
Situational irony is something we’ve all experienced: an unexpected outcome or an outcome that’s the opposite of the intention. We get to […]
