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.
Storyville: How Long Should Your Story Be?
In:
Structure
Is there enough meat on the bone to support your word count? It depends on a number of variables.
Storyville: 10 Tips on How to Be a Good Critique Partner
In:
Workshop
Advice on how to be a good critique partner, no matter what the situation.
Meandering, Wrecked, and Random: My First True Understanding of Narrative Structure
In:
Structure
Davidson finds her debut novel, "Sybelia Drive", over the course of 20 years of wandering.
Five Things to Keep in Mind for a Great Opening
In:
Voice
The first line. The first paragraph. The first page. The first chapter. They all matter. A lot. Here are some things you should keep in mind to get them right.
Storyville: Foreshadowing in Fiction—How to Set the Stage
In:
Literary Devices
Tips on how to use foreshadowing to write layered stories with powerful emotion.
Conjuring Strength Through Poetry: Battling the Slasher Movie in Your Head
In:
Poetry
Horror poetry reaches out into the darkness in hopes that understanding the shadows will shed light on our fears.
Showing and Telling, and Trusting the Reader
By Joshua Isard
We all know the cliche, "show don't tell," but it's still a common issue with young writers. That's where trust comes in.
Storyville: Why Denouement is So Important to a Satisfying Story
In:
Structure
Advice on how to make your denouement really shine.
A History of Live Readings Featuring Max Booth III
In:
Live Reading
I am lonely and miss performing for people. Let's take a trip down memory lane.
Storyville: Universal Truths Can Help Your Readers Relate
Examples of how to use universal truths in your fiction.
Using Plain Language in Speculative Fiction
By Joshua Isard
In:
Phrases
Employ language that allows the audience to believe your characters believe what is happening.
"Cursed": The Road to Redemption Starts with Strong Roots
In:
Character
The Weeping Monk is by far one of the most compelling characters in Thomas Wheeler and Frank Miller's 'Cursed', and is a prime example of how to craft a redemption arc.
Storyville: Tips, Tricks, and Thoughts on Reprints
In:
Research
Why should you get your stories reprinted? It can help your career!
How To Read Between The Lines of Your Rejections
By Lisa Bubert
In:
Rewriting
What are those pesky rejection letters actually telling you?
Storyville: Advanced Writing Workshop Tips, Tricks, and Techniques
In:
Workshop
Applying edits, pushing yourself, and writing to a specific market. Some additional tips to help you survive the workshop environment.
Why The Punisher Has No Place In The Police Department
By BH Shepherd
In:
Character
A brief explanation of why it is inappropriate for police officers to incorporate the Punisher's symbol into their uniforms.
What Tools Do You Use to Edit Your Manuscripts?
By Cina Pelayo
In:
Grammar
Do you use any editing softwares to perfect your writing? Here is a sampling of tools available.
Storyville: Advanced Storytelling Techniques
Tips for how to execute some advanced storytelling techniques.
Welcome the Characters Who Show Up Too Early and Stay Too Late
Sometimes the most pivotal characters need to be conjured and coddled into the story, under the shadow of misstarts and dead-end plotlines.
Conflict Without Violence: How to Add More Depth To Your Fiction
Violence is fun. But finding other ways to resolve conflict can improve your writing, and turn an average story into one with depth and intrigue.
