Not Every Story Needs a Neat Ending: How (and Why) to Write an Open-Ended Conclusion
Some stories don’t tie everything up with a bow, and that’s exactly what makes them engaging. An open-ended conclusion doesn’t give all the answers. It leaves space for the reader to wonder, to interpret, and to stay with the story long after they read the last line. While an open-ended conclusion may not be for […]
Why Settings Are More Than Backgrounds, And How to Build Them
Every story unfolds somewhere, whether it’s a small town in Iowa or a hidden planet in a faraway galaxy. That “somewhere” is your setting – both the time and place in which your characters live and act. Good settings are more than just backdrops. They’re responsible for shaping your story’s mood, conflicts, and even your […]
How to End Your Story: Types, Tips, and Examples
Wrapping up a story can be one of the trickiest parts of writing. The ending needs to tie up loose ends and leave a lasting impression on your readers. To limit your time wracking your brain for ways to end your WIP properly, take time to understand what kind of endings already exist, and look […]
The Gray Area: Writing Antiheroes Readers Love
Knights in gleaming armor might catch our eye, and diabolical villains have their own allure, but sometimes the most memorable figures sit somewhere in between all that. They’re the antiheroes – the ones who sway between good and bad, keeping us glued to the page as we wonder what twisted logic or unexpected kindness they’ll […]
Idea Overflow: Keeping Track of and Using Unrelated Inspirations
Ideas often pop up when you’re in the middle of writing something completely different. You might be deep in your novel’s second act when, suddenly, you imagine a brand-new character or setting that has no place in your current story. It’s tempting to shove these stray ideas into your current story and experiment around with […]
From Shadows to Screams: How to Write Monsters
When you think of monsters, what comes to mind? A fire-breathing dragon perched atop a hoard of gold? A zombie staggering through the night in search of flesh? Or maybe it’s something closer to reality, like an outbreak of disease or a man-made disaster. In fiction, monsters are more than just creatures of chaos — […]