Archive

  • Fluff is Good. We Need More Fluff.

    Fluff is Good. We Need More Fluff.

    Ever heard of a film called Sullivan’s Travels? It’s about a movie director who made his fame by making lighthearted comedies. He’s grown discontent with his reputation, and decides to strike out and make a serious picture, one that addresses the ills of society. The plan … goes wrong, to say the least (no spoilers!). Read more

  • Fan Fiction: Not as Bad as It Sounds

    It’s the worst insult you can toss at a writer. It’s the deepest cut, the ultimate condemnation. This reads like bad fan fiction. Amateurish, incompetent, dubious, self-indulgent, outright moronic – these are the connotations those six words carry. Fan fiction is the respite of those who cannot write, but insist on doing so. Taking what Read more

  • Stop Being Bad: The Redemption Arc in Storytelling

    Stop Being Bad: The Redemption Arc in Storytelling

    The story of the redeemed villain is a common and provocative trope in storytelling. It’s always fascinating to witness how a thoroughly evil and vile figure can turn around and repent of their ways. We like to see these tales play out and watch what happens next. It appeals to us. Maybe the villain is Read more

  • Is It Possible to Be Too Ambitious?

    It’s a question worth asking if you’re a writer. We all have big dreams, and big dreams involve big projects, lots of planning, blood, sweat and tears. Writers want to be known, and they want to put out their best possible work into the world. That takes time. And as we are all acutely aware, Read more

  • Hard Times: Facing Down Discouragement

    Hard Times: Facing Down Discouragement

    Feeling down in the dumps? Feeling like nothing you do is right or ever will be? If not, don’t worry, you will. I’ve detected a pattern to discouragement in my life. It likes to come at certain times. I wonder if that’s true for everyone. I find that nighttime is the worst for me. A Read more

  • Stories Talk: Why Dialogue is Important

    We engage in dialogue every day. We talk with people face-to-face. We type emails, send letters, conduct Zoom meetings, send messages via social media. We even talk with ourselves. Any conversation we hold is a dialogue, and wherever there are two or more people (or you and the voice in your head) there is conversation. Read more