Extended Metaphors: Turning Simple Comparisons into Lasting Impact
Metaphors are one of the first additions to our writing toolbox, usually paired with the simile in our high school English class. […]
What is a Thematic Statement? Examples and Writing Strategies
Your story’s thematic statement is the central argument that drives your narrative. Writers sometimes obsess over their plot to the point that […]
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 […]
Active vs Passive Voice: Choosing Power or Perspective
Understanding when and how to use active vs passive voice isn’t just a matter of grammar; it’s a matter of storytelling. The […]
Understanding Tone: Secrets to a Strong Narrative Voice
Creating tone in your writing provides a texture to the work. It’s the emotional coloring that shapes how a reader feels, interprets, […]
How to Outline Your Novel in 5 Steps
Each writer has their own process. Some writers (often called pantsers) believe that outlining their novel limits their creativity, while others require […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Epilogue: Extending Theme Beyond the Last Page
Just when you thought a story was done, sometimes there’s still room for an epilogue. Stories often end with a moment of […]
How to Write a Synopsis that Grabs Attention
A synopsis might sound like just another item on your never-ending to-do list, but it’s actually one of the most powerful tools […]
Getting Notes – Ten Things to Consider
I got an email this morning from one of my students who just received a pile of notes on her work-in-progress and […]
The Imperative for Dramatic Conflict
A director told me once that if you put two actors together in a scene without directing them or staging the scene, […]
Why We Go on Retreat
For years, my students had been asking me when I was going to take them on a retreat. Frankly, I’d been […]
