All articles on our blog, whether part of our Writing Advice Column or something else:)
Mystery novels have long captivated audiences with their intricate plots, suspenseful twists, and the inevitable, satisfying revelation. A key element that sustains this allure is the use of red herrings – misleading clues or pieces…
Fantasy literature is a realm where the boundaries of reality are stretched, and the extraordinary becomes commonplace. Within this expansive world of magic, mythical creatures, and epic quests, the role of the protagonist takes…
Romance novels have captivated readers for centuries, evolving through the years while maintaining the core elements that define the genre–love, emotional connection, and the journey of two individuals toward a happy ending. At the…
Historical fiction novels offer a unique blend of education and entertainment, bringing to life the events and people from the past. Central to these stories is the protagonist, whose journey not only captivates the…
Introduction: A Timeless Fascination Time travel has long been a captivating theme in science fiction novels, intriguing readers with the possibility of journeying through the past, present, and future. As a literary device, it…
The Stuff Series Are Made Of By Karen S. Wiesner “The disease of writing is dangerous and contagious,” Abelard famously said to Heloise. So, too, can a book series become a relentless obsession: It’s…
Historical fiction has the power to transport us to bygone eras, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the past and experience the lives of people who lived in a different time. While the genre…
In the enchanted realms of paranormal fiction, where ghosts whisper secrets and werewolves prowl beneath the moon’s glow, dialogue serves as the invisible tether that binds readers to the otherworldly narrative. Beyond mere conversation,…
Psychoanalyst Ernest Jones, in his 1951 classic nonfiction book On the Nightmare, labels the vampire the most “overdetermined” of monsters in terms of its psychological roots–and, we might add, in terms of its richly…
Mystery The essence of a mystery lies in the intellectual exercise of piecing together clues. The genre hinges on the ‘whodunit’ question, engaging the reader in a cerebral pursuit to solve the puzzle before…
The “cozy” mystery features an amateur sleuth who is usually a woman. The sleuth is likeable, smart and earnest, and they go about life with a good sense of humor. She’s rarely a detective or…
WHERE DO WE FIND OUR HEROES? By Deborah Nolan With Valentine’s Day on the horizon I thought it would be a good time to talk about what makes a romantic hero. The heroes in…
Writing: World Building, not just for genre writers By Will Greenway Overview When we see the term “world building”, many writers tend to associate this concept with genre fiction, specifically science fiction, fantasy, and often…
Dynamic Beginnings (2 of 2) By Will Greenway If you read the material on Dynamic Beginnings and the 8 rules for starting a novel or short story, this article contains additional “starter” tips and some…
