I’ve been reading a novel (nameless here forevermore) that I’m pretty sure is meant to be an allegory. The characters are flat, they commit highly improbable actions, and the only backstory we get on them is in the form of interminable stories-within-stories that don’t illuminate anything about their personality. Reviews have called this author a genius, so I guess I’m wrong. But I don’t enjoy it at all. I have to make myself keep reading because the book was a … Read More »

Twyla Tharp said, “Metaphor is the lifeblood of all art.” That is, for our art to come alive it must relate to our readers in a comparative way that is important. The experience of reading is an empathetic one — the reader should feel a connection. That connection is made through metaphor. This is where much of our joy of reading comes from. I believe that the best way to do this is to invite your reader in amongst the … Read More »

You’re getting better at writing scenes. You’ve learned to include brief bits of action that come before, between, or right after dialogue. Called “beats,” these actions can serve as speaker attribution so that tags such as “said” are not necessary. But they also have purposes beyond the merely mechanical. While I would never suggest you get stuck on finessing beats in your early drafts, I encourage you to focus on them during revision. The way you handle beats can enliven … Read More »

Details breathe life into a story. The senses are awakened and heightened, transporting the reader into the world created by the writer. But there’s another, powerful purpose to small details that brings an added dimension to a story. Don’t Overdo If you choose to give an enhanced role to a small detail, choose wisely and don’t go overboard with the number of details you emphasize; it will overwhelm and frustrate your readers. Enhance one or two, and let the rest … Read More »

We all know that writers fall into one of two groups: the Plotters, who lay their entire story out methodically in advance, often using a formal outline; and the Pantsers, who fly by the seat of their pants, letting the story unfold as they write, perhaps with the aid of a few notes. Neither method is better than the other. It depends on the personality of the writer — some people are orderly and want to be in control. Others … Read More »

I don’t know about you, but with all this social distancing I’m finding it difficult to get close to some of my writing. A little trick I sometimes have to play on myself these days is to simply concentrate on just one literary technique at a time. Just one, so I don’t get overwhelmed whether I’m revising or writing something new. And one of my favorite literary devices to play with is personification. Personification is a power-wielding giant, because it … Read More »