Essay #3 of 3 Every writer knows the frustration of a great idea that fizzles out–stories stalling without clear progression, stakes, or emotional depth. However, with intentional structure and development, even the simplest concept can grow into something powerful. FROM CONCEPT TO CAPTIVATING NARRATIVE “Not Drowning but Waving” by Sam F. Hutchins, published on June […]
Avoiding Stories That Go Nowhere Read More »
Essay #2 of 3 Flash fiction isn’t just about brevity; it’s about delivering a complete, impactful experience in a small space. Many writers confuse slice-of-life vignettes with flash fiction, but the key difference lies in their intentional focus. While slice-of-life lingers on a moment or mood, flash fiction presents a narrative arc: a story that
The Art of Focus: Slice-of-Life V. Narrative Arc Read More »
Limited Series Part 2 I’m gathering dust at my usual booth, taking a break from the midnight bazaar after reuniting the kid with his parents. I contemplate how long I can keep doing this—saving folks—as I chow down on a combo of onion rings and a soggy mushroom Swiss when a kid bolts
Essay #1 of 3 A powerful story isn’t just a sequence of events; it’s a journey. At the heart of that journey lies the shift moment–the turning point where something changes. The change could be an unexpected revelation, a character’s emotional breakthrough, or a sudden reversal of expectations. This shift transforms a story from a
The Shift Moment: How to Transform a Static Scene Into an Unforgettable Experience Read More »
Limited Series Part 1 My stall at the midnight bazaar wasn’t hard to find. All you had to do was walk past countless other derelicts pawning family heirlooms or renting themselves out as a companion to talk to. To fuck. To play therapist. The smell of deep-fried illegal meat and contraband cigarette smoke
Somewhere in the Lunar Wilderness Read More »
Essay #3 of 3 in the Series on Action, Danger, and Emotional Writing Emotion is the bedrock of our human experience. In writing, emotion builds a scene, holds a reader’s attention, and creates a memory for readers that lingers beyond the final lines. Neither writers nor characters can fake emotions: they are the truth of
Emotional Writing: Learn the Secret How-Tos From Two Masterful Authors Read More »
Kaiel rocketed into space, his flight invisible in the night. Not quite invisible. A missile, silent in the thinning air, ricocheted off Kaiel’s ship and exploded in a blitz of hot metal. His spacecraft cartwheeled; time trickled to a stop, flattening his life-beat to a halt. His spaceship juddered,
Psychological and physical danger increases a short story’s tension and deepens the reader’s connection to the characters. Simple tactics like setup and stakes can make danger authentic and prime emotional responses in readers. INSERT THE FORBIDDEN Danger is psychological (emotional) or physical (environment) and triggers a range of emotions in narrators (and readers), like anger,
Thirty-six hours into the malpractice review, they finally ask the question that matters: Would I have done anything differently? I stare at the MRI showing Sage Cohen’s glioblastoma, wrapped around her temporal lobe like a dark star collapsing. The imaging was clear, the path obvious. And still, she hemorrhaged on my table.
Do your story’s action moments lack drive, relevance, or emotion? Do you worry your action language doesn’t inspire urgency? Great action writing takes time and practice. Begin by focusing on character goals, theme and setting, and language to make your action moments pop. CHARACTER GOALS IMPACT ACTION WRITING Character goals give life to your action
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