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Story Skeleton—To the Lighthouse
March 16, 2024
But does this count as plot? Doesn’t plot require a protagonist? Doesn’t plot require an inciting incident, an arc, and a climax?
- Story Skeleton
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Inside Job: Transforming Characters Through Internal Conflict
March 14, 2024
If you give your protagonist an internal conflict, they will feel authentic to the reader, and you will create an essential connection between reader and protagonist that is at the heart of all engaging stories.
- On the craft
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Story Skeleton—Wuthering Heights
March 11, 2024
In the character of Heathcliff, Brontë proves that a protagonist doesn’t have to be likable for readers to follow them; they just have to be interesting.
- Story Skeleton
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- 2 comments
Do you need to hire an illustrator for your picture book?
March 04, 2024
If your artistic skills extend only to drawing stick people, don’t fret!
- Little Darlings
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Storm Watchers Descend on Tofino (the retreat was a success!)
March 01, 2024
We loved it so much, we’re already looking ahead to next year.
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We are taking a hiatus from writing contests
February 29, 2024
Yes, it's true. We're taking a break from hosting contests.
- Contest updates
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Clash of the Query Letters 2024—1st place
February 14, 2024
"I was a medical student when I lost my ability to fall asleep."
- Contest updates
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Clash of the Query Letters 2024—2nd place
February 14, 2024
"But staying focused while being so close to Oliver—with his smouldering glances and surprising sparks of tenderness—is harder than Scarlett thought."
- Contest updates
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Clash of the Query Letters—3rd place
February 14, 2024
"Crossing The Wilds on a bicycle with her baby in tow, Ina battles tornados, wild ostriches, and kidnappers."
- Contest updates
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Book reviews for Immersion and Emotion: The Two Pillars of Storytelling
January 27, 2024
"This is my new favourite craft book."
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On the Beaten Path: How to Use Beats in Fiction
January 17, 2024
Honor the tiny beat and it will carry the weight of a whole character for you.
- On the craft
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- 2 comments
Story Skeleton—Bel Canto
January 13, 2024
Patchett writes about something that is very hard to make interesting: the triumph of goodness over evil. Her tricks: the use of tension, and the transformation of character.
- Story Skeleton
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