The Three-Act Structure Is a Mirage
A structure no stronger than a sand castle.
Latest in The Writing Process
How Useful Are Pixar’s Rules of Storytelling? Part 2
Emma Coats strikes again!
How Useful Are Pixar’s Rules of Storytelling? Part 1
Pixar's rules for writing a story... sort of.
How Useful Are Michael Moorcock’s Ten Rules of Writing?
An author who isn't afraid to share his opinions.
Episode 375: The Story’s Middle
How much of a story is middle, anyway?
Originality Is Dead. Long Live Novelty!
Writing is hard enough without asking people to meet outdated standards.
How We Can Beat Defensiveness
To improve our work, we have to admit it can be improved.
Why Sequels Don’t Erase Mistakes in the First Book
Each book in a series should be judged on its own merits.
Episode 368: Romanticism
A 19th century artistic movement, in MY writing? It's more likely than you think!
How Useful Are Jonathan Franzen’s Ten Rules for Novelists?
Genre critic vs. literary author!
How Writing Instructors Forgo the Most Vital Fiction Lesson
A gut feeling for stories isn't enough.
Episode 359: Metaphors and Similes
We're in the “similes are metaphors” camp.
Keeping Readers Happy With Your Novel Series
If you want to hook readers, you'll have less freedom to make changes.
Q&A: Do You Have Any Tips for Writing Interactive Fiction?
Submitted by Ronald,
answered
How Useful Are Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing?
Writers love to offer lists of rules for writing, especially if they’ve got a book to promote.
Episode 348: Process Advice
We know how to write, but do we know *how* to write?
Episode 347: Narrative Premise
Telling a story is one thing, but how you tell it is another.
Five Movies Critics Loved but Audiences Hated
Do audiences have no taste or are critics elitist snobs?
How Useful Are Neil Gaiman’s Eight Rules of Writing?
As a successful writer, he must have something useful to tell us, right?
Why You Shouldn’t Write a Masterpiece
Your magnificent novel in progress could be holding you back.
A Perspiring Writer