Creative Writing: Seven Elements of a Great Story
Creative writing is rewarding, fun, and at times, frustrating. Many writers think it would be exciting to get a great novel published but don’t know [Read More]
story
How to Start a Story: 10 Ways to Get Your Story Off to a Great Start
Perhaps you’ve heard the old publishing proverb: The first page sells the book; the last page sells the next book. I’m convinced there’s a mammoth [Read More]
The Science of Story Ideas: How to Awaken Your Brain’s Creative Superpowers
The brain is not only designed to think, it loves to think—and there are specific ways you can summon and maximize your brain’s ingenuity to [Read More]
Do You Have a Story Concept, or Just a Cool Idea?
I do a lot of brainstorming with writing clients. (At the risk of sounding immodest, I am a champion brainstormer. If there were an Olympic [Read More]
Cliffhangers: How to Write a Story Your Readers Can’t Put Down
It’s no secret that the time-tested method of using cliffhangers at the end of your chapters or scenes is a sure-fire way to make that [Read More]
How to Create Tension in a Story: 8 Simple Steps
Understanding how to create tension in a story is key to writing a gripping, ‘I’ll just read one more page before bed’ read. Here are [Read More]
Surprise and Suspense: How to Make a Story Suspenseful
Let’s say you have two favorites that bring you the most consistent and satisfying ice cream experience. Let’s say they are a deep, dark, intense [Read More]
6 More Creative Ways to Strengthen Your Story Idea
The same thing happens to me all the time with my writing and the works of Stephen King. I love Stephen King, but the man [Read More]
10 Fun Story Starters and Idea-Generating Activities for Writers
You wrack your brain, pulling, stretching, trying to extract an idea—one simple germ of a thought to get your writing adrenaline pumping—but nothing comes. Don’t despair [Read More]
4 Steps for How to Turn an Idea Into a Story That Rocks
Bar none, my favorite part of the writing process is the conception stage. That magical moment when an idea comes to me like a surprise [Read More]
What If: A Guide to Story Generation
Some folk have no problem with story ideas; they’re full to the brim with them. I’m not one of those and, though I’ve lived a [Read More]
Structural Language Is The Foundation Of A Great Story
Writers are wordsmiths. Everyone knows that. Writers pick and choose words, wrap them around each other, and use them to create parallel worlds to the [Read More]
Without Characters You Have No Story
I’ve read a lot of books in my 64 years on this earth and I’m here to tell you, without strong characters you have no [Read More]