Category: Literary Devices & Writing Techniques

October 5, 2017

The Difference between the Right Word and the Almost Right Word

Unlike many other quotes falsely attributed to Mark Twain, “The difference between the right word and almost the right word” is truly a Mark Twain quote. It is also (IMHO) an excellent metaphor to illustrate the vital importance of word choice. Word Choice Makes Writing an Art Like sense of urgency and frame story, word choice can be defined by...

Categories Humor & Wordplay/Literary Devices & Writing Techniques/Quotes, Words, & Phrases Comments: 0

July 25, 2017

Breaking Hyperbole as Writing Inspiration

Breaking hyperbole as writing inspiration is one of the mainstays of creative writing. Especially genres like fantasy and science fiction. And since this tactic is so common, I’m guessing it’s not going to be a totally unfamiliar idea for most writers. That’s why this article isn’t meant to be a treasure trove of new ideas. Although that would be cool. ...

Categories Creative Process/Inspiration/Literary Device Exercises/Literary Devices & Writing Techniques/Writing Prompts Comments: 4

July 20, 2017

Sense of Urgency Is Like a Splinter

It wasn’t until discussing the either or mentality a few months ago that I realized that I had somehow overlooked talking about sense of urgency (In a writing blog – how is that even possible?). Immediately, I put it on my list for later. Today, later is here, and it comes with a simile: sense of urgency is like a...

Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Literary Devices & Writing Techniques Comments: 3

July 18, 2017

Euphemisms for Death Can Be a Bit Disturbing

I’m not a big fan of most euphemisms for death. I understand that many of them come from a time when death (and other unpleasant matters) was not discussed in polite company. That said, with the evolution of language, some of those euphemisms for death can be a bit disturbing. Generally because the phrase is more commonly used for something...

Categories Literary Devices & Writing Techniques/Quotes, Words, & Phrases Comments: 0

May 11, 2017

5 Ways to Use Inspirational Speeches in Your Story

Persuasive speeches are such a strong, traditional way to motivate people that they show up not only in life but also in books, movies, musicals, and more. Here are a handful of examples of ways to use inspirational speeches in your story. How Persuasive Speeches Affect Plots It may seem like an inspirational or persuasive speech has an obvious purpose, and from...

Categories Literary Devices & Writing Techniques/Theatre & Film/Videos Comments: 0

April 20, 2017

People Don’t Listen: 7 Dialogue Tropes to Give Them Away

People don’t listen. You know it. I know it. We’ve probably even heard it but didn’t realize because we weren’t listening. And since we’re so familiar with people who don’t listen, using that idea in our stories adds a lot of realism. That makes these 7 dialogue tropes really handy for giving them away. So handy, in fact, that I’m...

Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Humor & Wordplay/Literary Devices & Writing Techniques Comments: 7

March 30, 2017

A Great Tone Example That’s Funny, Too

From middle schoolers to adults, people have trouble with tone. Especially telling tone from mood. Well, here is a great tone example that’ll not only help you better understand tone but also make you laugh (what a deal!). But, first off, a bit about tone. What Is Tone? Tone – the attitude of a piece (usually the author or narrator’s attitude...

Categories Humor & Wordplay/Literary Devices & Writing Techniques Comments: 0

March 14, 2017

Spelling as a Frame Story: The Alphabet of Death

Spelling as a frame story? The alphabet of death? What on Earth is this twytte talking about?* Frame stories. Sort of. A little. Maybe. Tbh, this article is focused more on a particular type of frame story, which may not even totally qualify as a frame story (I don’t know. You tell me.). But before we get to that, I guess...

Categories Humor & Wordplay/Literary Devices & Writing Techniques Comment: 1

February 16, 2017

3 Types of Appeals as Writing Prompts

What on earth is an appeal? Isn’t that something you do when a trial goes the wrong way? (Kind of, but no). The 3 types of appeals I’m talking about are rhetorical techniques. If you’re unfamiliar with the term rhetoric, think of it as the art of persuasion whether in speech or writing. To use these appeals as writing prompts (or even...

Categories Characterization Exercises/Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Literary Devices & Writing Techniques/Plotting Exercises/Writing Prompts Comments: 2

November 1, 2016

Stupidity Takes the Fright out of Horror

Is it just me, or is it true? Stupidity takes the fright out of horror. Take your generic horror story: an Average Joe, presumed to be relatively intelligent, finds himself (or herself) in the middle of some awful and very probably supernatural danger. Average Joe must then find a solution and/or fight through the situation to either defeat it or simply survive. Throughout...

Categories Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Literary Devices & Writing Techniques Comments: 2