structure

I shy away from plot structure that depends on the characters behaving in ways that are going to eventually be explained by their childhood, or by some recent trauma or event. People are incredibly complicated. Who knows why they are the way they are? Rachel Kushner

📯I am pleased to announce the somewhat overdue episode of Two Wayward Writers South📯 In this episode, Rachel and I discuss Kishotenketsu, an Asian storytelling sensibility. Have you ever found your story dragging in the first half? You may be writing in Kishotenketsu! Have a listen, and...

The Craft Challenge last weekend produced some brilliant and evocative settings. Anyone fancy another go? How about an opening that follows a particular structure? Okay, bear with me a moment.. This week, some of my students (an adorable pair of twins and a girl who creates her own worlds)...

So as most of you know Sanderson is probably one of the most prolific fantasy writers these day. I don't know how he does it. Back in the days I binged his course recorded in BU in 2012. And now he is back with the 2025 instalment, repeating some things but always a good refresher. So far 3...

You've heard that infernal (non-)debate, right? Are you a plotter or pantser? Are you someone who plans your story, or do you discover it as you write? I say it's a non-debate because I'd bet the farm that almost every writer employs both strategies, often simultaneously. Every artform has...