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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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Brenda Ford
2024 Tuscany Winner “From the moment I arrived in Tuscany, its beauty inspired me as much as the bravery of my fellow […]
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 […]
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 […]
What is a Novella? Key Characteristics Explained
Some of literature’s greatest stories aren’t in novel form at all, but a different kind of prose. Rich characters like George Milton […]
The Snowflake Method of Outlining
Writing a story can sometimes seem overwhelming. Think of your favorite books. You can tell when a writer has put a great […]
Storyline: Marrying Plot to Theme
Every screenplay is built around a single invisible force that holds everything together. You may not notice it on first viewing, but […]
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Personal Narratives: Shaping Real Life into Compelling Scenes
All writing carries something of the writer within it, but few forms are as intimate as the stories we tell about our […]
How to Write an Effective Synopsis
Previously, I unpacked the theory behind synopsis writing, explored the mechanics of what makes a synopsis work, and defined its purpose. A […]
What is a Novel? Definition, History, and Key Characteristics
We use the word novel casually, as if it simply means “a long story,” but a novel is defined by more than […]
