Active vs Passive Voice
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”
“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?
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?
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 […]
How to Call on Your Muse
The idea of a Muse, inspiration, spirit, or genius, is present in any civilization in which great literature exists. When we read […]
“Does my story need an Epilogue?”
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
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 […]
