Show, Don’t Tell: What It Actually Means (And How to Do It Without Losing Your Voice)
Let’s say the quiet part out loud: “Show, don’t tell” is one of the most overused, underexplained pieces...
Derek MurphyAuthor of 35 Articles
studies the art and craft of writing to inspire joy.
Kill Your Darlings: The Love-Hate Ritual Every Writer Needs
Look, I get it—you’ve just penned a line so breathtakingly vivid it makes you want to stand on...
Story Structure: How to Plot a Novel That Won't Make You Hate Yourself Halfway Through
There’s a moment every writer hits—usually around page 50, sometimes earlier—where the shiny new idea fades, and...
Short Story Ideas That Don’t Feel Like Homework: Precision Prompts, Publishing Paths, and All the Grit You Need
If you’ve ever Googled “short story ideas,” you’ve probably landed on a list that reads like it was...
Plot Twists: How to Surprise Readers (Without Cheap Writing)
There’s an art to jaw‑dropping twists, and most writers treat it like a party trick—showing up with...
Writing YA That Doesn’t Talk Down: A No‑B.S. Guide to Crafting Stories Teens Actually Want
I have a confession: for far too long, I approached young adult fiction like it was training wheels for “real”...