In the News... Using a Historical Event Keeping it real Historical events can make for some exciting conflict. And the history of today will work in the published novel of tomorrow. Think hard about your location choice. What is in its local history? Or maybe you need your … [Read more...]

On the GPS for your locations If you've created your own locations, they will need names. And if you're using a real location, you may need some specifics, too. Today we decide … [Read more...]

Location, Location, Location... Setting, Setting, Setting Where does your story take place? Are you using real locations for your setting? If you're creating this new world, are you creating a history to go with these places? Are you mixing reality with your fiction? … [Read more...]

Timing is everything...or, Time Period is everything We've spent some time on generalities and characters. We're going to move to setting now. … [Read more...]

Toe-to-Toe... Conflict Rules "The greatest rules of dramatic writing are conflict, conflict and conflict," says James Frey. So what are you to do with that? Literature teachers everywhere teach that there are 4 main types of conflict: … [Read more...]