From Archetype to Iconic: Crafting Dynamic Characters That Stick
Let’s get one thing straight from the jump: I love a good archetype. I love the brooding exile, the...
Derek MurphyAuthor of 35 Articles
studies the art and craft of writing to inspire joy.
Character Development That Hits Like a Freight Train: Arcs, Flaws, and Why Your Story Can’t Survive Without Them
I’ve thrown more than one book across the room in my time—sometimes because the plot made me weep,...
Chekhov’s Gun, Foreshadowing & the Secret of Tension You Can’t Look Away From
When I was eleven, I wrote a story about a girl who could talk to shadows. I gave her a...
Protagonist vs. Antagonist: Who’s Really Driving Your Story?
Look, I love a great hero. Seriously—I’m all for noble quests and selfless courage and characters who step...
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...
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...