Novel
Anti-Hero Characters: Writing the Unheroic Protagonist
Want to learn more about how to write an anti-hero? Consider taking our private class with Gloria Kempton. The anti-hero (or antihero) archetype is a popular feature of modern books and movies, and for good reason. Anti-hero characters are often lonely or isolated individuals, who experience ethical dilemmas typical of modern day society. As both…
Read MoreForeshadowing Definition: How to Use Foreshadowing in Your Fiction
Foreshadowing is a clue in the text that hints at events to come. Have you ever woken up with an unsettling feeling, and then something terrible happens later in the day? Or, has your boss ever hinted at the great work you’re doing, then offered you a promotion a couple months later? When this hinting-and-happening…
Read MoreWhat is a Foil Character? Exploring Contrast in Character Development
A foil character, or character foil, is a character whose actions and traits contrast those of another character—often the protagonist. The foil character is like a white background against a subject in a photograph: it allows the complexities of another character to shine forth, because the reader sees more vividly how one character’s actions and…
Read MoreWhat is Magical Realism in Literature? Exploring El Realismo Mágico
What is magical realism? Imagine a woman discovers she can cry fabric (instead of water), so she starts a clothing business where she knots her tears into dresses. This odd blending of the magical and the mundane constitutes the elements of magical realism, a wonderful genre for writers of all paths. Magical realism authors populate…
Read MoreHow to Write a Graphic Novel: 5 Major Tips for Writers
About the Author: Cristian S. Aluas is professional artist and author of It’s a Living: Surviving as a Freelancer in the 21st Century, and has online courses on cartooning techniques at MasterpieceArtSchool.com Although the term “graphic novel” is only 40-some years old, this form of storytelling has exploded in popularity. Chances are you were assigned…
Read MoreWhat is Conflict in a Story? Definition and Examples
There is no character arc, deeper meaning, or satisfying ending without conflict in a story. Everything we love about fiction hinges on a protagonist wanting something that he or she cannot have, and doesn’t know how to get. If you’re looking to tell moving, relatable stories yourself, you must learn how to create conflict in…
Read MoreJuxtaposition Definition: What is Juxtaposition in Literature?
Juxtaposition occurs any time a writer places multiple ideas or images next to each other, without drawing a clear relationship between them. It is, in other words, the art of encouraging inference, because juxtaposition encourages the reader to draw their own conclusions about the relationships between different things. Juxtaposition is a wildly underrated tool in…
Read MoreLearn to Write! 8 Tips on Learning How to Write
Learning to write is a process, one that requires consistent hard work and determination—and perhaps some magic! But, as with any other skill, it’s important to work hard on the right thing. Instead of providing a list of pointers on how to learn to write for general purposes, this guide will offer eight key tips…
Read MoreSatire Definition: How to Write Satire
If there’s any genre of literature designed to make fun of humankind, it’s satire. In both prose and poetry, writers have employed satirical techniques as far back as Ancient Egypt, utilizing the conventions and elements of satire to write about our follies. Satire writing has become more popular in recent years. This is partially due…
Read MoreProtagonist Definition: How to Create the Perfect Protagonist
If you’re writing any kind of fiction, from a short story to a screenplay, your story has a protagonist. This is the character or characters around whom the story centers. Without a well crafted protagonist, the rest of the story falls short, so careful consideration of a story’s protagonist(s) is crucial to effective storytelling. In…
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