Craft and Creativity
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Newest Features
On Messy Characters
In fiction, the best characters are at least a little messy. Sometimes, they have a lot of problems. Sometimes, they’re just plain awful people—people we never want to meet in real life. Yet, somehow, on paper, we find ourselves loving them regardless, flaws and all. How is that possible? Great storyteller gives their characters boundless…
Profiles in Craft: Jessie Roy
About the instructor: Jessie Roy is a fiction writer, teacher, and editor whose work has appeared in American Literary Review, The Journal, and Cream City Review. She holds two advanced degrees in creative writing: an MFA from Syracuse University and a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Among many other awards and honors, Jessie has…
On Rewriting “Writing”
“If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.” ―Elmore Leonard Want more craft tips? Be the first to receive our writing advice in your inbox. I chose the quote above because it matches my experience editing people’s work. I work as a writing coach, especially to help people apply for schools or jobs. The main…