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
Turn your writer’s brand into a recognized voice on social media. Focus your conversation on topics unique to you and connect authentically to build followers and establish readership of your work. WAIT! I’M PRIVATE; I DON’T USE (OR LIKE) SOCIAL MEDIA Our digital world is not going away. Now more than ever, millions turn to social
Your Writer’s Brand and Social Media Read More »
Your writer’s brand is like a signature–unique. Through your brand, you enter a compact with readers, telling them what to expect from your work or online engagements. Your brand separates you from thousands of writers vying for attention in a crowded industry and establishes trust and influence among followers and loyal readers. WHAT IS A WRITER’S BRAND?
YOUR WRITER’S BRAND: What It Is, What It Looks Like, and How to Develop Yours Read More »
Three-part Essay Series on Branding and Social Media, Publishing Essay #1 March 12, Essay #2 March 17, and Essay #3 March 24 A brand is a promise and value created for those using a product or service. For example, customers value Yeti’s superior coolers, drinkware, and bags and the brand’s focus on the outdoors and
Intrepidus Ink: Brand Identity Read More »
At the massive, open-air pulga, a man could get his car windows tinted, save his eternal soul, and lose it again—all in one place—while a soundtrack of Ranchero and reggaeton blared from every stall. Jared didn’t need snakeskin boots or chicharrones. But he’d pay anything to see his daughter again. A
La Perla de Gran Precio Read More »
My bike’s brakes squealed; the wind blew away the sound, and browny yellow leaves battered me. The windows of her house watched me as I clamboured off and leaned the bike into the hedge–they were black and hungry and staring, like the eyes of a monster, ready to gobble me up. I pulled
As soon as Carna steps into the lift, her pager notifies her of a job on the other end of the galaxy. The pay would cover her rent, but should she choose to accept the run, the cosmic bike courier would, as the ad promises, have to make it all the way across
A Galaxy Run in 30 Minutes or Less Read More »
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