A Writer’s Guide to Pacing Fiction
It’s something many writers, especially those at the beginning of their career, don’t think a lot about—but make no mistake, good pacing is absolutely one of the most crucial elements […]
When Writer’s Block Strikes: Finding Inspiration
At long last, I’m back from another hiatus, all settled into my new apartment. And I’m aching to write. To that end, this last post in collaboration with the Ice […]
Writing Death and Grief
Few topics are as complex, emotionally rich, and broad as death and our extremely varied reactions to it. Many, many, if not most fictional stories somehow touch on mortality, and […]
All About Subplots
In my opinion, any good story of significant length needs at least one subplot. Secondary plots serve to add complexity, increase tension and impact, underscore the main plot, and generally […]
Where and When: Mastering Setting
This is the fourth post in a series of five on the elements of storytelling, in collaboration with the Ice Colony Podcast. Having gone in-depth on character, plot, and dialogue, […]
Antiheroes: Bad, but Not TOO Bad
Antiheroes are, generally speaking, bad boys (and girls!) with rough exteriors and a multitude of flaws, but good hearts. What separates likable villains from antiheroes is, at the end of […]
Literary Locations in New York City
For writers and bookworms—New York City is quite possibly the best place in the world to read and write and pay homage to great literary minds. From bookstores to writer-friendly […]
Writing Addiction in Fiction
As a writer of emotional, character-based stories, there are few topics I find more rich and complex than addiction. There’s so much potential for both tragedy and redemption, and people […]
Using the Enneagram for Character Development
I am straight up obsessed with personality typing, and have become a particularly big fan of the Enneagram in recent years. Used by counselors and companies all over the world, […]
Historical Fiction: Tips & Resources
I’ll never understand people who find history boring. It’s all like one ridiculous, bloody, passionate soap opera and it’s real. I find it fascinating to imagine long lost lives just […]
Fictional Trauma Narratives
I absolutely love writing trauma in fiction. It’s been an intense interest of mine since I majored in psychology in college, taking several classes on the effects of trauma in […]
Writing Sibling Relationships in Fiction
Can’t live with them, can’t live without them…but in my experience, it’s mostly can’t live without them. I have one little sister, and we’re incredibly different. Our relationship has always […]