Chuck Palahniuk's 2014-2015 Essays
In:
Abstracts, Character, Dialogue, Grammar, Literary Devices, Narrator, Objects, Phrases, Plot, POV, Research, Rewriting, Structure, Verbs, Voice, Word Play, Workshop
Chuck surprised us all with a new batch of essays for 2014 & 2015! There is no exact timeline on how these will roll out, so just keep an eye on the site.
Notes on the Craft
In:
Dialogue, Literary Devices
Concrete, practical methods for improving your writing.
36 Writing Essays by Chuck Palahniuk
36 exclusive craft essays on writing you won't find anywhere else online. The knowledge here is equivalent to what you'd get in an MFA program.
Donald Maas and The Emotional Craft of Fiction Writing
By Cina Pelayo
Take your readers on an emotional journey that will stay with them even after the final page is turned.
What Reviewing Nonfiction Taught Me About Writing Fiction
Reviewing nonfiction taught me a few tricks that helped improve my approach to writing fiction.
Tweak Those Boring, Stereotypical White Dude Characters
By Peter Derk
In:
Character
I hate to say it in this context, but you can do better.
Storyville: Letting Film Unblock, Inspire, and Add Depth to Your Fiction
In:
Research
Tips on how film can help unblock, inspire, and add depth to your fiction.
How to Approach the Second Draft of Your Novel-in-Making
In:
Rewriting
As C.J. Cherryh wrote, “It is perfectly okay to write garbage — as long as you edit brilliantly.” Here are five tips on how to approach the second draft of your novel-in-making.
Beyond the Comfort Zone: Writing Outside Your Box
By BH Shepherd
In:
Poetry
An exploration of how writing in unfamiliar genres and formats can help you grow as a writer.
Stop Being Lazy and Write Different Types of Characters
Stereotypes are played out. It's time to get REAL and write people the way they actually are.
Storyville: How Travel Can Inform Your Writing
In:
Research
Tips on how travel can inform your fiction.
13 Reasons Why Your Novel Sucks At Diversity
In:
Character
A list of thirteen egregious offenses committed while creating diverse stories, coupled with solutions writers can adopt to approach race or any other minority status with sensitivity and respect.
Revisiting Old Works-in-Progress: 5 Ways to Make the Most Out of It
In:
Rewriting
Just because a story is old doesn’t automatically mean that it’s terrible. Here are five tips on how to make the most of an ancient manuscript that you might have once forgotten in a drawer somewhere.
The Top Three Things Your Character Needs
By Cina Pelayo
In:
Character
Want to write memorable characters? You're going to want to give them these.
So You Want to Write Women
In:
Character
Writing women sounds easy... until you have to make them realistic. How does an author craft female characters that real women can relate to?
Two Truths and One Lie: How to Use Real Experience to Write a Story
In:
Structure
Formulating a three-act structure by recycling traumatic memories.
Storyville: Living Vicariously Through Our Fiction
Some thoughts on how and why we live through our stories and protagonists.
Is It Really Such A Bad Thing To Give The Audience What They Want?
Fan service is seen as a four-letter word, but that doesn't mean it's actually a curse.
Writing a Novel With Save the Cat!
By Cina Pelayo
The Cat has had its way with the screenplay, and now it has turned its sights on novels.
What Joy Williams and Denis Johnson Can Teach Us About the Art of First Sentences
By Elle Nash
Some lessons from two masters of the sentence.
5 Lessons Fiction Writers Can Learn From Video Games
If you're a writer who likes games and needed an excuse to play more, here it is.
How to Write Edgy Fiction Without Being Obnoxious
In:
Abstracts
Edgy fiction is difficult to pull off - and requires a depth and understanding of history, literature, and yourself. It's not about repeating what's been done before. It's about expanding it.
The Great Game of Balancing Character and Plot
It's no secret many "Game of Thrones" fans were disappointed in the final season. But what lessons can writers take away from it?
10 Things Every Horror Writer Should Read
By Repo Kempt
In:
Research
Given the limited amount of reading time in our lives, it's important not to waste time consuming material that won't help us progress and develop.
10 Tips for a Superb Reading
In:
Live Reading
Reading your work in public matters. A lot. Here's how to do it right.
