Let’s talk about what suspense is. Sure, yes, we know what it is in a “I know it when I feel it” kind of way, but if we want our stories to ...

Try-fail cycles are the key to writing engaging prose because they structure conflict in such a way that it creates suspense. Try-Fail Cycle...

Just as characters have internal and external goals so there are internal and external stakes. Inner Stakes versus Outer Stakes As I’ve ment...

This is Part Three of a mini-series. This part can be read on its own, but if you would like to read the first two parts they are here:   Go...

[ This is Part Two of a mini-series on good storytelling. This part can be read on its own, but if you would like to read Part One it is her...

First, a caveat. In the following I say things about ‘all X,’ for example, ‘all main characters,’ but of course statements like that are gen...

My Dad was an amazing storyteller. Because of him, I’ve spent a lifetime thinking about stories, thinking about whether there’s something th...

NaNoWriMo is coming to an end. We can see the finish line. If you're making your word count goal, awesome! Go you!! If you haven...

“ Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, consta...

Ever had a day where it feels like you need to do twelve zillion things? That’s the way I’ve felt for the past few days and, as a result...