The Writer’s Woodshed

The scene of a tragedy often has a morbid fascination for kids . . . but things look very different in the dark

Follow these guidelines to create a compelling synopsis for agents and editors

7 tips to help you avoid accidentally becoming a writer

4 tips to help you write more convincing characters

Ever had the weird feeling that you’re actually in your story?

Is writing a compulsion, an obsession . . . or do we not have a choice?

Here’s why “showing” helps create an emotional response

Try these simple techniques to kickstart your creativity

These 3 techniques work for the best in the business — so why not try them yourself?

An urban fable

A poem

Good dialogue is crucial . . . and these 3 tips will help make it sing

Give your creativity free rein as you write — because you can always fix it later

Sometimes we see what we want to see…and sometimes we don’t

Fiction: A playful genre mash-up that sheds new light on an old childhood favorite

Clear writing can make the difference between getting your message across and playing to an empty room

Improve your writing and strengthen your plots by staying clear of these clichés

You don’t need fancy speech tags to write great dialogue.

This simple but powerful exercise can help you overcome the dreaded blank page

To keep your readers engaged, focus on one character at a time

Avoid these 5 common pitfalls and grab your readers from the very beginning