The ‘show, don’t tell’ mantra may hold true, but a well-chosen phrase can really pack a punch. Elmore Leonard suggested that characters should ‘audition’ for the reader’s attention early on. But dialogue…Read More

Ever since Taylor Swift broke out with her Romeo and Juliet-inspired hit ‘Love Story’ back in 2008, it’s clear she has been consumed with her love of literature. Not only setting the…Read More

Striking with the ultimate comeback is always satisfying, especially when you deliver it in the moment and not on the way home five hours later. One writer who never faced this issue…Read More

Some of the greatest most creative minds weren’t above a dirty joke or two. Mozart, when he wasn’t composing soaring heart-wrenching music, would tell gags straight from the toilet. And James Joyce…Read More

On Halloween night, I have two traditions. I’m the parent that stays home alone. My son attends a Halloween party with his friends, while my daughter and wife go out trick or…Read More

Sincerity is harder than it looks. You must be honest and open with the reader. Open like a book. But when everything does come together, it can provide a real sense of…Read More

Catharsis is essential to mental wellbeing. Letting it all out is as valid a response as any other, and an emotional story is perfect for doing just that. After all, connecting with…Read More

As soothsayers in contemporary science-fiction, Orwell and Clarke typically get the nod. But one name often overlooked is Philip K. Dick. With many of his paranoid fantasies now commonplace, it’s high time…Read More

What truly terrifies us is what lies within the recesses of our own imagination. It’s the anticipation, and nobody knew this better than Shirley Jackson. So here I’ll look at her most…Read More

Some comedy greats are before their time, while other great comedy flies under the radar. When it comes to female writers, many get overlooked, unfortunately. But here, we’ll try to help rectify…Read More

If it wasn’t for Tolkien, fantasy and gaming would be a whole different landscape. Taking lore for granted now, it’s easy to get lost in an epic fantasy saga spanning countless novels,…Read More

Getting a polite chuckle is easy. Making someone genuinely laugh is hard. Doing this while highlighting a profound truth is harder still. Then, if you really want to go for the hat…Read More

What can you say about the Brontë sisters that hasn’t been said a thousand times already? One of the most important literary families in history, it was not one, but three geniuses…Read More

A hero is only as good as his nemesis, and this is most definitely the case for former FBI agent Alex Cross from James Patterson. Often working against the clock, he’s notable…Read More

William Shakespeare‘s gift for words is no secret. And what a waste his gift would be if he wasn’t finding new and inventive ways to tell people they were jerks? Right to…Read More

It isn’t easy finding books that make us full-on belly laugh. Everyone’s tastes are so different. Here we’ll list some that continue to have us in hysterics. And I know not everyone…Read More

The femme fatale slinks into the PI’s office who then delivers a sarcastic quip. Introducing characters in a world-weary tone is a more than familiar noir trope at this point. And no…Read More

Part of what makes Stephen King so enduring is that you can easily tell you’re reading one of his stories. A horror legend, he’s established a trademark style. From his Castle Rock…Read More

There’s a reason why so many revere Jane Austen, and it’s not all those flowery speeches alone. She understood that creating epic romantic moments is in what’s left unsaid. She also helped…Read More