Writing character backstory is easy if the writer follows this three-step plan.

Sep 7, 2007 - Rhonda Leigh Jones

Simak conflates time travel to the Jurassic era, Trolls, Goblins, Dinosaurs, Neanderthals, sabre-toothed cats and William Shakespeare's Ghost in a quietly anarchic way.

Mar 7, 2008 - Colin Harvey

Using multiple protagonists isn't harder than just one, it's easier and it can make your story move faster.

Sep 14, 2010 - Gurmeet Mattu

When used sparingly exposition can control pacing and it can fill the reader in on important events that affect the characters or the plot.

Nov 17, 2011 - Renee Miller

Create magic, bamboozle your readers, and most of all keep them reading.

Oct 6, 2011 - Susan Trollip

A successful synopsis is not a short story version of your book nor or a piece of creative writing. It is a business document. Here is what not to do in your synopsis:

Sep 28, 2008 - Carrie Lewis

Narrative and exposition are often confused. While exposition is useful, it is often unnecessary. Narrative is vital to the plot.

Nov 17, 2011 - Renee Miller

How to find an idea for writing a story for a film, a play or a book.

Oct 25, 2010 - Janice Hally

A brief presentation and how-to on the mental aspects of creating characters in fiction.

Sep 9, 2010 - Patrick Stephens

Fiction writers do extensive research to include details that make their short stories and novels ring true. The writing process includes fact-finding and note taking.

Aug 3, 2009 - Suzanne Pitner

An earlier article explained how to use personality traits to create depth for characters - this is the third of four descriptions of the Myers Briggs Personality Profile

Aug 6, 2009 - Jo Lamb

A collection of 80 unforgettably dazzling short stories illuminates the pages with brevity, controlled precision, and creativity.

Aug 15, 2007 - Mona Lisa Safai

Developing a sense of place is very important to a novel as it adds flavor and color to the plot and characters.

Jan 17, 2008 - Vickie Britton

Great writers learn how to SHOW the complexities of plot and character rather than simply telling it, and in the process create a superior work.

Mar 30, 2007 - Ken Brosky

Start with a true life story, but follow these guidelines to turn it into good fiction.

Sep 14, 2007 - Jennifer Jensen

Writers often get into all sorts of trouble trying to show a character's thoughts. An understanding of deep viewpoint makes the narrative look smooth and professional.

Oct 4, 2009 - Marg McAlister

Use dialogue carefully and it will serve different purposes, developing character, story background, plots and pacing.

Apr 21, 2008 - Jennifer Jensen

SF by Damian Broderick, Robert Reed, Michael Blumlein, Hugo-winner Kristine Kathryn Rusch, new writers Derek Zumsteg and Mary Robinette Kowal, and Steven Popkes returns

Jun 25, 2009 - Colin Harvey

A review of Call of Duty 7 - Black Ops from a military history standpoint.

Dec 2, 2010 - Christopher Eger