What is Creative Writing? How to Shape Ideas into Art
Creative writing invites writers to move beyond facts and formulas, using imagination and craft to shape ideas into compelling stories. Even though […]
How to Outline a Dramatic Opening
Structurally, a dramatic opening functions as a hook. Emotionally, it needs to do more than just attract attention. When an opening scene […]
“Save the Cat” Story Structure: A Screenwriter’s Practical Guide
One structure model designed specifically for screenwriters is Blake Snyder’s “Save the Cat!” If you’ve been in one of my workshops, you’ll […]
Hyperbole: When Exaggeration Strengthens Story
Hyperbole is how we speak when ordinary language isn’t big enough. Do you remember your first heartbreak? Even though you knew it […]
Master Character Arcs for Compelling Storytelling
Do character arcs matter? Here’s an important lesson to remember: No matter how elaborate your plot is, if your reader doesn’t care […]
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 […]
Script Format 101: Writing for the Screen and Stage
In a previous article, I went over formatting requirements for screenplays. These techniques can also help set up a sound foundation for […]
What is a Prologue? How and When to Use One
Occasionally, tucked somewhere between an introduction, epigraph, and dedication, a book might have a prologue. This is the story before the story. […]
Stream-of-Consciousness Writing: Tips for Creative Expression
There’s rhythm in prose. The rhythm might be intentionally terse, like a Charles Bukowski novel, or dense and languid like the work […]
Mastering Story Arcs for Stronger Storytelling
Ever since humans have been able to communicate, we share stories, weaving the tapestry of our shared existence. These stories differ wildly […]
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 […]
Round Characters: Techniques to Create Depth in Character Arcs
If you’ve ever fallen in love with a character who jumped off the page and felt so alive that you missed them […]
Screenplay Format Made Simple: Tips & Essentials
Getting your screenplay format down right matters more than you might think. You could write the most brilliant story ever conceived, with […]
Worldbuilding: A Step-by-Step Writer’s Guide
Crafting a compelling story comes with several responsibilities. You are in charge of creating the plot, the characters, the prose, the dialogue, […]
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 […]
How to Write Dialogue that Sounds Authentic
Writing dialogue can be intimidating, even for the most experienced writers. Sometimes the words feel clumsy and unnatural, or we find ourselves […]
Fridging: When Trauma Replaces Character Development
The “fridging” trope was named after a specific incident in a Green Lantern comic (vol. 3 #54). The titular hero comes home […]
Mastering the Three-Act Structure for Stronger Stories
In his book, Poetics, Aristotle laid the foundation for story structure by stating that all stories must have a beginning, middle, and […]
