by Andrea Lundgren   Sometimes when we write, our main characters aren’t all that unfamiliar. They may not be “us” exactly, but they might be fictional versions of ourselves—the people we’d like to be, sharing part of our own psychological makeup. This one might have our sense of adventure, that one our fondness for… Read More Unpacking Characters That Aren’t Like You

  by ARHuelsenbeck   In my file cabinet I have a thick folder packed with negative responses, many dating back to my freelance writing days in the 1990’s—my dreaded rejection slips. The big joke in my circle was that I’d eventually have enough rejection slips to wallpaper my house (actually, I probably do).

    by Laura Peters   When it comes to a page-turner, we like the idea of something that is in-between reality and fiction. When we consider the enduring appeal of Kafka or Thomas Pynchon, the notion of the conspiracy theory is one of those devices that straddles the balance. Conspiracy theories can be real… Read More Conspiracy Theories in Fiction to Inspire Your Page-Turner

  by Lizard is Writing   Anonymous asked: “Hi Lizard! I have an idea for a writing piece I want to do. I have characters, a majority of the plot, and a brief outline of the ending. The only thing is, I don’t know how to begin in a way that isn’t overwhelming to the… Read More Why Writers Use Multiple Points-of-View

  by Daniella Levy   Poet and blogger Trish Hopkinson reposted an article I wrote about rejection and the value of hope. That article was a sort of precursor to this blog, and it made me feel very warm and fuzzy to see it popping up again. I got some really lovely responses to it… Read More How to Not Strangle People Who Are More Successful Than You

  by ARHuelsenbeck   Whether you write fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, rhetorical devices are among your most useful tools. Use them, and your writing will have specificity, emotional impact, color, and memorability.