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Fiction

The shadow side is not just a tool for creating engaging characters—it’s a reflection of what makes us human.

3 min read

Harnessing Your Shadow Side

In an illuminating discussion, authors and writing coaches Kate Riordan and Anissa Gray, both from The Novelry, cover the profound topic of using...

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Mastering metonymy and synecdoche isn't just about understanding definitions – it's about developing an eye for meaningful relationships

2 min read

Metonymy and Synecdoche: A Writer's Guide

The art of substitution in writing creates layers of meaning that can elevate prose from mundane to memorable. Two of the most powerful tools in this...

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Hauntological writing offers a rich framework for exploring contemporary anxieties about time, memory, and lost possibilities.

2 min read

Hauntological Writing

Hauntological writing emerges from the intersection of memory, lost futures, and cultural ghosts. For writers seeking to master this distinctive...

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Reverse chronology resonates because it mirrors how we often process life—by looking back.

3 min read

Untelling: Writing Stories in Reverse Chronology

Reverse chronology—often referred to as "untelling"—is a narrative technique where events unfold backward in time, challenging traditional...

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Writing ancestral fiction is a profound act of exploration, reflection, and storytelling.

3 min read

Ancestral Fiction: Writing as a Collective Across Generations

Ancestral fiction is a rich and complex literary approach that intertwines the threads of history, identity, and collective memory. By embracing the...

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Minimalist fiction teaches us that silence can be deafening.

3 min read

Fiction Where Silence and Space Do the Work

In a world overwhelmed by noise, minimalist fiction stands as a quiet rebellion. It's an art form that proves the old adage: sometimes less isn't...

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The charm of found footage fiction lies in its immersive storytelling and the active role it assigns to audiences.

5 min read

Found Footage Fiction

Found footage fiction has become a popular genre, especially in literature and film, offering a unique narrative experience by weaving together...

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By transforming nature into a character, eco-fabulism not only brings attention to environmental issues but also encourages empathy and introspection.

4 min read

Eco-Fabulism: When Nature Becomes the Hero or Villain

Eco-fabulism is a unique literary and artistic genre where nature takes on a central role—either as a savior or as a force of destruction. This genre...

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In the world of hyperbolic fiction, the sky's not the limit – it's just the beginning!

3 min read

Hyperbolic Fiction: When Exaggeration Becomes an Art Form

As far as literary techniques go, hyperbolic fictionis a genre that pushes the boundaries of reality to their absolute limits. This article reviews...

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Linguistic constraints, such as writing with only one vowel or creating palindromic stories, offer writers unique challenges that can spark creativity and lead to unexpected narrative discoveries.

3 min read

Creating Linguistic Constraints: Writing Entire Stories with Only One Vowel or Using Palindromes

Linguistic constraints offer writers a unique challenge and readers an intriguing experience. This article explores two specific constraints: writing...

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Monologue fiction offers writers a unique canvas to explore character depth, narrative voice, and the intricacies of human thought.

2 min read

Monologue Fiction: Writing Entire Stories as Soliloquies

In the vast landscape of literary techniques, monologue fiction stands out as a unique and powerful form of storytelling. This article explores the...

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Both pastiche and parody offer creative ways to engage with famous styles, but they serve very different purposes.

4 min read

Pastiche vs. Parody: Blending and Bending Famous Styles

In literature, film, and art, the lines between pastiche and parody are often blurred. Both forms of creative expression borrow from or imitate...

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A woman with glasses reading a book.

3 min read

Start Thinking About Your Writing Strengths

It's time to flip the script on how writers approach their craft. For far too long, the writing community has been stuck in a rut of self-doubt,...

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A woman smiling and writing in pop art style.

5 min read

Tips for Beating Creative Resistance

It's time to talk about the elephant in the room, the one thing holding you back from unleashing your inner creative genius: resistance.

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A teenage boy writing in a book in pop art style.

5 min read

Writers and Vision Boards: Visualize Success

Attention all you writers, dreamers, and goal-chasers out there! Listen up because we're about to dive into the wonderful world of vision boards and...

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A child reading a book in pop art style.

4 min read

Don’t Sleep on Writing Bedtime Stories

If you're itching to learn how to write a bedtime story that'll knock the socks off your readers and send them drifting off to dreamland with a smile...

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A man frowning in pop art style.

2 min read

To Friend or Not to Friend: Frenemies Throughout History

Hold onto your hats, folks, because we're about to dive headfirst into the dynamic world of frenemies! These enigmatic relationships, which straddle...

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Four-panel pop-art style of four women, one in each panel, with various expressions of surprise on their faces.

3 min read

Unwanted Exits and Narrative Shifts: Crafting Compelling Fiction

In fiction writing, the art of keeping readers engaged is a delicate dance. Unwanted exits and narrative shifts are pivotal in shaping the reader's...

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bizarro fiction

3 min read

Bizarro Fiction 101: Beyond the Weird for Weird's Sake

Bizarro Fiction, a relatively new genre often likened to the cult section in your video store, has been a niche of literary experimentation.

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verbal irony

4 min read

Examples of Verbal Irony

Verbal irony, often mistaken, is an element that likely permeates your speech without your conscious awareness.

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Pop art style image of woman with brown hair in a science fiction scene.

3 min read

Navigate the Enigmatic Realm of Slipstream Fiction

Ah, slipstream fiction. Much like speculative fiction, it lives in that nebulous territory between literary fiction, science fiction, and fantasy....

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kick off events

2 min read

Kick-off Events

In writing fiction, or even performance art, it's essential to understand the role of a kick-off event – that opening scene that sets the stage for...

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kill the cat

1 min read

Save the Cat! Plot Beats

Okay, so when it comes to storytelling, we've got this thing called a "story beat," and it turns out there are two different flavors to it, each...

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houseplant

2 min read

Unearthly Chronicles: Writing 'The Diary of a Sentient Houseplant

Creative writing has always been a realm of endless possibilities, and sometimes, the most captivating stories sprout from the most unexpected seeds...

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cryptic crossword clues

2 min read

Cryptic Crossword Clues and Creative Writing

Cryptic crosswords are the enigmatic gems of the puzzling world, where words become intricate puzzles waiting to be unraveled. But have you ever...

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surreal story

2 min read

Surreal Serendipities: Finding the Extraordinary in Everyday Coincidences

Let's pause and explore the enchanting world of serendipity, where chance encounters and seemingly trivial coincidences lead to extraordinary...

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minotaur pop art style

3 min read

Conversations with the Minotaur and Other Enigmatic Beings

Deep within the recesses of myth and legend lies a realm where reality and imagination intertwine. In "Whispers of the Labyrinth: Conversations with...

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imaginary friend pop art style

2 min read

Did You Have Imaginary Friends?

Imagination is a wondrous force that has the ability to create entire worlds and characters from the depths of our minds. It's a tool we often...

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bigfoot pop art style

5 min read

A Literary Exploration of Urban Legends

Urban legends, those chilling tales whispered in hushed tones around campfires and shared in late-night conversations, have a peculiar way of...

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