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.
Are Functional Relationships Ever Interesting In Fiction?
By Peter Derk
In:
Character
Bumper stickers are the right place for "I love my wife." Novels are the place to tell the truth.
Writing Tips From the Don Winslow Universe
Certain writers demand to be read, and doing so is a class to all who do. Don Winslow is one of them.
2020 Hindsight: 10 Years Worth of Grammar Advice
In:
Grammar
It's a new decade! Let's look back on 10 years of giving grammar advice.
Storyville: Ending 2019 with a Bang
In:
Research
Some tips for how to end 2019 and set up 2020 for writing success.
Craft A Cozy Mystery In Three Killer Steps
Crafting a mystery series can be fraught with peril, but tackle these three questions and you’re guaranteed to unlock what lies at the heart of the terror.
Storyville: Using Your Family to Tell Dark Stories
Some tips on using the people around you to provide depth, meaning, emotion, and authority in your stories.
Her Dark Materials: Raising Inner Demons To Craft Complex Villains
In:
Character
An analysis of Mrs. Coulter in the recent TV adaptation of "His Dark Materials" shows writers how to craft complex villains.
Have you Wished Ishmael Beah a Happy Birthday Today?
In:
Voice
This is a literary name everyone should know.
Storyville: Using Rituals to Make Your Stories More Believable
In:
Research
Some tips on how to use ritual, ceremony, and witchcraft to make your story more believable.
All Hail the Slasher: The Rise and Legacy of an Iconic Subgenre of Horror
In:
POV
Freddy. Michael. Jason. How did slasher films dominate the horror genre in the 70's and 80's? Let's examine the rise of the subgenre and it's legacy as pure cinematic experience.
Dyslexic Author is my Favorite Oxymoron
In:
Word Play
Why would anyone with dyslexia try to be a writer? Ask Anne Rice, Richard Ford, or sit down and let me tell you my story.
Storyville: Finding Original Locations to Set Your Horror Stories
In:
Setting
How can you find original locations to set your horror stories? Here are a few ideas.
Storytelling: This Ain't Church
In:
Theme
Always be passionate about what you believe, but write in a way that give readers the benefit of the doubt.
Tackling the Issue of Consent in Fiction
In:
Character
This article offers authors strategies for exploring the darker side of sex with safety and consent in mind.
8 Writing and Researching Tools You Might be Ignoring
In:
Research
When it comes to writing and research, some really useful tools are hiding in plain sight. Here's a list of my favorites.
Storyville: Pacing and Depth in Short Fiction vs. Novels
In:
Setting
Thoughts on the differences between novels and short stories, specifically when it comes to pacing and depth.
Be Childish Because It’s Robert McCloskey’s Birthday
In:
Voice
Timeless literature begins with the youngest readers.
Reality in Fiction: The Invisible Signature of Your Favorite Authors
The role of real events in fictional stories is an unavoidable aspect of an author's signature voice—and even the authors themselves don't know where the line between the two is drawn.
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.
