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: 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.
Storyville: Turning Your Obsessions Into Fiction
Some tips for turning your obsessions—good and bad—into powerful stories.
All Stories Are Existential
By Joshua Isard
The word existential may have, in some contexts, devolved into an epithet for things that seem deep or important, but that’s not really what it means.
How to use Family Dynamics to Bring Your Characters To Life
By C.S. Humble
In:
Character
For author C.S. Humble, one of the most reliable narrative materials to build a story with is family.
Storyville: Writing a Compelling Novel Synopsis
In:
Plot
Tips and trick for writing a compelling novel synopsis.
What Writers Can Learn From Watching The NFL Draft
Will this article finally bring Sports Twitter and Writer Twitter together? Will the Dolphins draft Tua? Can writers really learn writing tips from watching the NFL Draft?
Maybe: The Empathy-Building Writing Prompt
By Peter Derk
In:
Character
Want to write and live with empathy? Maybe there's a way.
Storyville: Using a Chorus in Your Fiction
In:
Literary Devices
Tips and tricks for using a chorus in your fiction.
Storyville: The Duality of Strong Emotions
In:
Character
Love vs. Hate. How to employ the duality of strong emotions to improve your fiction.
