Literary Devices You Should Be Using (But Probably Aren’t)
There are two kinds of writers who talk about literary devices: those who treat them like SAT flashcards, and those...
Derek MurphyAuthor of 35 Articles
studies the art and craft of writing to inspire joy.
How to Write a Novel from Prologue to Epilogue: A Detailed Guide to Literary Stardom
This is an outline that I'll turn into the pillar main content page, I'll update this...
How to Start Your Novel So Readers Can’t Walk Away: 18 First Chapter Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
Ever opened a book “just to skim” the first page and, an hour later, realized you’re fifty pages in...
The Epilogue & Denouement: Ending Your Novel with Lasting Resonance
Finishing a novel doesn’t just mean tying off the final battle or concluding that grand love story. It means...
The Final Battle & Beyond: Writing the Conclusion Your Novel Deserves
There’s a moment in every good book where you can’t blink, can’t breathe. Because the hero is...
The ‘Dark Night of the Soul’ & Why It Works (Second Plot Point)
By this point in the story, your protagonist has fought, struggled, adapted, and failed. They’ve had victories, but they’...