Writing Tips
How to Write an Ekphrastic Poem
Ekphrasis is a literary device in which a work of art, usually visual, inspires a piece of poetry or prose. Ekphrastic poetry, then, describes a poem that finds inspiration in…
Read MoreHow to Write a Sonnet Poem
The sonnet is a poetry form that poets have wielded for centuries—from Petrarch and Shakespeare to Marilyn Nelson and Terrance Hayes. These 14-line poems use restrictions of length and rhythm…
Read MoreHow to Become a Writer
Becoming a writer is actually quite easy. Contrary to the stereotype that writers are divinely-gifted recluses or quirky Beatniks, the truth is, anyone who writes is a writer. Yes, including…
Read MoreWhat Else? – How Research Makes Meaning
Since all the essays in my new collection, Shelter and Storm: At Home in the Driftless, incorporate facts I learned from asking experts, reading scholarly works, or rooting around in…
Read MoreSubplots in Fiction: How to Use Them to Deepen Your Story
Maybe you’re drafting your first novel, or just finished. Or maybe you’re in the early stages, working from a novel outline you’re excited about. Regardless of where you are in…
Read MoreSound Devices in Poetry and Literature
Although literature exists on the page, poetry and prose are both sonic artforms, each enhanced by the use of sound devices. Indeed, poems and stories used to be developed as…
Read MoreSymbolism in Literature: What Symbolism Is, and How to Use It In Your Writing
Symbolism describes the use of concrete images to convey abstract ideas. Because this literary device is widely open to interpretation, and because many readers form different relationships to concrete objects,…
Read MoreHow to Write a Love Poem
Love poems have tried to capture the essence of love since the dawn of poetry itself. Because love is a highly personal and variable experience, no two love poets will…
Read MoreThe Importance of Word Choice in Writing
All strong writers have something in common: they understand the value of word choice in writing. Strong word choice uses vocabulary and language to maximum effect, creating clear moods and…
Read MoreWhat is the Oxford Comma? Examples and How to Use It
Anyone who’s been on the internet or listened to Vampire Weekend has heard of the oxford comma. This small, specific punctuation mark has received outsized attention and a meme-like status,…
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