When I was young and growing up in Washington, D.C., I was lucky enough to take advantage of the rich assortment of local theatre. While the changing sets and scenery rarely disappointed, it was the language of the plays that…

So you want to join the ranks of great writers, to make your mark by inducing tears, fascination, romance, and even the occasional scream of your readers? Friends and neighbors are crawling out of the woodwork to yell “That’s great!”…

I will never forget the first time I read Edgar Allen Poe. I had a borrowed a book of his short stories from my brother in sixth grade and spent an evening reading The Black Cat, The Cask of Amontillado,…

One of the most vital tenets of fiction is that you can’t write it without a good story. This may seem incredibly simplistic, but the basic fundamental of “the story” cannot be ignored. Even a talented writer will squander his…

Writers are some of the most motivated people in the workforce. Why? Because most of them come home after a long day sitting in front of their computer to do it again for another three or four hours. Sometimes they…

Historical fiction is a genre that has, and continues to be, extremely popular. It can provide an even greater escape than traditional fiction. It is an exercise in balance, research, and care; and is a challenge, but if you love…

Urban fantasy is an offshoot of Fantasy and one that is oftentimes difficult to define, considering its own varying subsets. Despite that, it does possess a number of standard traits. Supernatural beings and regular humans coexist in some fashion, and…

There is no question that in the world of publishing, the novel reigns supreme, with the short story holding court nearby in various thin volumes and collected works. If you are familiar with literary magazines, (and as a writer, you…

Take a mental trip back to elementary school where you learned about the different types of writing. When I was in grade school, I remember separating fiction and non-fiction into “not true” and “true” categories respectively. The definition is not…

Ah, yes, the notorious query letter, the fear of all authors! I know that authors are scrambling under their porches as we speak just from reading the title of this article. So, for the brave few that have decided to…