Essays on Literary Devices

By Peter Derk

In: Comedy, Literary Devices

Withholding gets a bad rap from lazy mysteries and lousy thrillers. But it's a great comedy writing tool.

By Richard Thomas

In: Literary Devices, Narrative Hooks, Storyville, Structure

If you think the only hook to your story or novel is the first line, then boy do I have some news for you.

By Richard Thomas

In: Literary Devices, Storyville, Structure

Using the concept of body, mind, and soul, you can create a deeper experience with your stories.

By Richard Thomas

In: Abstracts, Character, Literary Devices, Storyville, universal truths

Examples of how to use universal truths in your fiction.

By Richard Thomas

In: Fight Club, greek chorus, Literary Devices, Storyville

Tips and tricks for using a chorus in your fiction.

By Taylor Houston

In: Autobiography, Literary Devices, Memoir, Non-Fiction

In which Taylor revisits her 2012 article about autobiographical fiction and nearly twists herself into a knot trying to explain what the hell she actually meant, if anything...

By Justin Hunter

In: action, Dialogue, Exposition, Literary Devices, show don't tell

"Show, don't tell," they say. But telling is necessary. It's just a matter of doing it right. Hide your exposition through action.

By Fred Venturini

In: leftovers, Literary Devices, Pilot, pilot breakdown

The Leftovers pilot is packed with literary flourishes that carry throughout the entire series. Fred Venturini breaks down the techniques that power one of the best shows on television.

By Leah Rhyne

In: A Song of Ice and Fire, Character, Comics, game of thrones, Jessica Jones, Literary Devices, Marvel, Rape, Theme

Trigger warning: We are going to talk about rape, and our reactions to the loss of innocence vs. the thirst for revenge.

By Chuck Palahniuk

In: Chelsea Cain, Literary Devices, Mark McGurl, Phrases, Syd Field, Word Play

An essay about why the vocation of writing can sometimes feel shameful, and how to own that shame and then eventually conquer it.

By Taylor Houston

In: List, Literary Devices, Literary Devices, lyrics, Music, Poetry, songwriting

Songs are poems, too. Or, the article in which I mention Katy Perry, Yeezy, Ezra Pound, Dante, and Flight of the Concords.