BR How to Tell a Story
This book assumed that a book-length product, novel or non-fictional narrative was the end goal. Although I am most interested in short stories, most of the discussion was easily applicable to my goal.
Category: Fiction
Short Story Craft
Writing craft elements that I learned through practicing these last 10 years. Wanting to arrange in my mind, that means writing them.
Short Stories Surprise
Short stories can illuminate psychological truths without the effort to the writer or the reader of a full-length novel.
Speed of a Novel. Middlemarch
More action with shorter sequels is the rule in commercial fiction these days, but I mustn't forget that the sequels must be full enough to make the skein of actions sensibly linked.
Novel Form
Novels require suspense about the outcome between a determined person and a formidable obstacle. If the story cannot be cast in that shape, then another mode of telling the story is required
Distance. Insight into Show, Don’t Tell
John Gardner in The Art of Fiction described a very useful addition to the discussion about point of view (POV). He called it distance. Distance is a measure of emotional nearness presented to the reader.…
People Like Stories
What drives people to read stories? Readers want to escape or they want to learn.
Dialog in Fiction
Dialog in Fiction I stumbled across a lode for creating realistic dialog in a surprising book. Before I get to that, let me just highlight some key elements that dialog in fiction must perform. Convey…
Words Precise and Metaphors
Use words precisely and you communicate your meaning directly to the reader.