It must be exhausting to constantly be told that how you use an author’s toolkit depends on what story is being told, but it’s something that needs to be turned into a mantra. Many key elements tell the reader where, how, why, and when the story takes place. In particular, the when of the story… Read More
The Five Points of View: which one is right for your next book?
The process of crafting a novel demands a long list of writing skills; viewing it from multiple angles is just one of them. With five styles of point of view, authors have a bevy of options to choose from, but this can also be a bit overwhelming. How can you tell which is the right… Read More
Pluperfect: putting the past in the past
The word pluperfect is reminiscent of the sound effects that come out of a bad guy when Adam West’s Batman hits them. In actuality, pluperfect is the shortened version of a longer Latin phrase (for all you language geeks: plusquamperfect) which means “more than perfect”. It might be simpler to call it past perfect or… Read More
Active vs. Passive: the voices of storytelling and how to use them
One of the most foundational blocks of grammar and writing is also one of the most often debated: Active vs. Passive voice. Undoubtedly, it’s been some time since any of us deliberately considered the differences between the two, or even the naming convention of them. Their uses are often contested. Most teachers, writers, or blogs… Read More