story development

For April Fools’ Day: Twelve Famous Bad Calls

I probably have more sympathy than most people for all those editors whom history has come to ridicule for rejecting stories that have now become classics. I freely admit I spent...

Where Do You Find Your Hum?

Where I live, February is the cruelest month.  It’s a good thing it’s also the shortest, because it’s certainly the most depressing.  Even if there’s not a lot of snow,...

First, Next, Then and Finally–Six Questions to Help Tell Your Story Better!

My granddaughter and I were discussing stories the other day.  We thought we might write one together. “But, you know,” I said, trying to reduce the concept of structure to...