Author Archives: sdgibson

Two examples of synthesis

Posted on November 20, 2019

Let’s take a look at these two synthesis examples.

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Reading as a writer: “The Wig”

Posted on November 18, 2019

Consider these questions about this story. What did you learn about characterization from the story? Describe power shifts that lead toward the crisis moment. Which fiction writing technique was best exemplified in the story? Why? How might you apply a … Continue reading →

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Revising openings

Posted on November 13, 2019

Consider these opening strategies for the beginnings of stories, but consider them as ways of revising the beginnings of chapters or sections within your novella. They are part of the ever excellent Metro: Journeys in Writing Creatively.

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Toward revision

Posted on November 6, 2019

Consider this exercise from the making of a story by Alice LaPlante: Write about an event in your character’s past without which the current situation couldn’t exist. Write about the current situation from the point of view of a character … Continue reading →

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The mystery in your draft

Posted on November 4, 2019

Consider exercise #197 from The 3 A.M. Epiphany by Brian Kiteley: Embracing the mystery. Write a brief description of something you do not understand about the story or novel you are working on. It is quite likely you’ll begin to … Continue reading →

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I am your draft. AMA.

Posted on November 1, 2019

Consider this Q and A exercise from Brian Kiteley’s outstanding The 3 A.M. Epiphany.

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2250 Names

Posted on October 16, 2019

From the outstanding Metro: Journeys in Writing Creatively by Hans Ostrom, Wendy Bishop, and Katherine Haake, consider this exercise about names.

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