Cover illustration by John Anthony Di Giovanni (widened)
Your Story Needs Tension, Not Violence
Create excitement on your own terms.
Latest in Tone
Five Stories With Clashing Choices
Like a tug of war in the plot.
Q&A: Can an Abusive Antagonist Get Away With Their Misdeeds?
Submitted by James,
answered
The Four Ways to Create a Bittersweet Ending
Character karma doesn't stop us from creating complex and nuanced stories.
How to Avoid Writing a Bait-and-Switch Story
If you don't know what expectations you're setting, readers may feel cheated by your end.
How to Create a Mysterious Atmosphere
Unless you use restraint with fantastical elements, you'll lose the aura of mystery.
Episode 337: Tone, Mood, and Atmosphere
Some character deaths are gruesome while others are slapstick comedy.
Five Stories That Suffer From Muddled Atmosphere
Clashing themes and inconsistent tone can ruin a great story.
Episode 325: Ending Lines
What is that last line even for?
Five Problems Caused by Tone Mishaps and How to Fix Them
Clashes between story elements, mood, and atmosphere result in tone problems.
Five Stories Sabotaged by Their Tone
Both dark and comical elements can hinder a story.
David vun Kannon