What is Juxtaposition? Using Contrast to Deepen Your Story
The best way to flesh out something is by showing what it isn’t. If that sounds like a paradox, you’re feeling the […]
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 […]
The Power of Diction: Writing with Intention and Impact
The diction you use in your writing is a choice you’re always making, whether subconsciously or not. Writers trade in language. Diction […]
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, […]
Analyzing the 3 Types of Irony
Irony is a comparison which reveals an incongruity. That comparison might be between events and understanding, a statement and fact, or the […]
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 […]
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 […]
