Five Popular Stories With Conflicts That Are Too Difficult
If a conflict is too difficult for the hero, its resolution will be unsatisfying.
Analysis: Page 3
How Bigotry Ruined Magic: The Gathering’s Characters
War of the Spark's missteps makes its storyline both cliché and offensive.
Interview With the Vampire Shows the Strengths and Weaknesses of Adaptation
The movie isn't always worse than the book.
What The Black Company Teaches Us About Dark Stories
Audiences expect more from stories that feature distressing subject matter.
The Climaxes of Marvel’s Phase Three, Part 2
Will these final films improve, or will Marvel's tradition of shoddy endings continue?
Six Pointless Deaths in Spec Fic
If a death doesn’t add anything to the story, then it’s a mistake.
Building Crescent City: How Maas Remixed Old Tropes
Hey there, friend, do you feel like joining some vampires for a night out on the town?
Six More Stories That Don’t Understand Power and Privilege
Misunderstanding oppression in fiction can do real-world damage.
The Mixed Climaxes of Marvel’s Phase Three, Part 1
Can Marvel's next series of climaxes avoid mediocrity?
Building Mars: How Red Rising Flubs Class Conflict
Misogyny, toxic masculinity, and confusion over class struggle make this book an insulting letdown.
Star Trek Series Finales From Worst to Best
Long-running series must face the challenge of meeting expectations and providing closure.
The Villains of Each Buffy Season, From Worst to Best
Buffy runs the gamut on villains, from the highest highs to the lowest lows.
The Good and Bad Climaxes From Marvel’s Phase Two
Despite its spotty track record, Marvel manages to present a mixed bag.
Building Earthsea: How Le Guin Laid a Shaky Foundation for Her World
Despite a novel and diverse setting, Earthsea suffers from sexism and a lack of planning.
The Terrible Movie Climaxes From Marvel’s Phase One
Marvel consistently demonstrates how to create an utterly lackluster climax.
Umbrella Academy Shows Us Why It’s Important to Plan Your Powers
The characters’ powers are all over the place, and it damages the story.
Five Stories With Anticlimactic Endings
When the climax is a disappointment, the whole story suffers.
Six Consequences of Poorly Thought-Out Magic Systems
If your magic system is confusing, other aspects of the story might not even matter.
The Nine Star Wars Movie Climaxes, Compared
Lessons from the Star Wars climaxes can be applied to your own work.
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