Archive:

The Writing Craft

A Guest Blog from Stephen King—Yes, that Stephen King

January 19, 2024

Okay, let’s get a few things straight right from the top: This is going to be a very long post, but I’m not going to apologize for it because: 1—I need to brag about how I know Mr. King; 2—I promise it’ll be content-rich; 3—You’re going to learn Voice merely by osmosis, beyond what he’s […]

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How to Write a Prologue for Your Novel

January 15, 2024

Do you start your novel with a Prologue? Or do you dive right into Chapter One? The choice can determine whether readers are drawn in or never get past the first page. I lean away from a Prologue whenever possible. When I do use one, it’s only because there’s backstory the reader cannot do without. […]

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Literary Devices and How to Use Them in Fiction

February 13, 2023

As novelists, our job is to create a story that captivates readers from the get-go. Literary devices such as metaphor, irony, backstory, et al, can help readers better understand, feel, or see a greater meaning to a piece of writing. But with many literary devices to choose from, how do you best use them? Subtly. […]

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