49 Science Fiction Terms Writers Should Know
A lot goes into writing a science fiction novel, and for most of us science noobs, things can get confusing fast, especially when words like technocracy and quantum slip steam get thrown around. So I thought I’d introduce you to some of the science fiction terms and concepts you’ll come across in the genre. I […]
Science Fiction: Putting the Science into Fiction
Science fiction is a genre, unlike many others. It’s grounded in reality but also far-fetched in its technology and content matter. It’s also a young genre that has captured the hearts of millions of people worldwide. Could it have something to do with our innate sense of curiosity? I mean, who here hasn’t thought about […]
Forensics: The Research Tools Every Writer Needs
A staple location in any mystery is the crime scene. You know, the one where cops and forensic scientists take photos and collect evidence. It’s that evidence that helps our detective crack the case. In other words, forensics are integral to any mystery or crime novel. The only problem is that the task of collecting and analyzing […]
How to Write a Blood-Pumping Crime Novel
The crime novel and mystery genre go hand in hand when talking about murder mysteries and detectives. But are they really? Like most literary genres, there are nuanced differences between a detective story or crime fiction. It’s not all about capturing the bad guy, but more about why he turned to a life of crime. It’s these […]
How to Write a Well-Researched Police Procedural
The police procedural is a subgenre of the mystery novel. It has been around since the 1940s, and it’s based on what the police do daily. To say that this is a mildly popular subgenre is a bit of an understatement. It has infiltrated not only the mystery genre but also Hollywood. There are countless TV shows […]
The Suspense Genre: Creating a Nail-Biting Experience
I don’t want to keep you in too much suspense today because we’re saving that literary device for another day, but I did want to talk about the suspense genre instead. This genre is a close cousin of the mystery genre and a sibling to the thriller, and to make things worse, they often get […]
The Horror Genre: How to Scare Your Readers Silly
I’m a sucker for a good plot and an engaging atmosphere, and the horror genre has that in spades. And if I’ve been bullied into watching or reading a horror story, I’ve spent the night tossing and turning at night, afraid to sleep. I hate horror stories for the effect that they have on my […]
How to Write a Suspenseful, Gripping Thriller
The Thriller – a Michael Jackson award-winning song and music video or a beloved genre of twists and turns? Luckily, the answer is yes to both. And the music video contains some of the elements that we enjoy in a good thriller, like plot twists, a fast pace, and tension. Thrillers are meant to thrill […]
The Supervillain: How to Build a Formidable Foe
“I’ve got you now! Mwahahaha!” *five minutes later* “Mwaha-ha-ha. Do you like my laugh?” asked the supervillain. If you haven’t guessed already, we’re talking about supervillains today. They are a proud and noble race that battle it out against our superheroes. Without them causing trouble, we wouldn’t have a story for our heroes and anti-heroes. Because […]
How to Create a Superhero (Part 2): Origin Stories
Welcome to part two of how to create a superhero (you can read part one here)! Last time, we talked about what a superhero is and their amazingly detailed history. Today, we’re looking at putting that history into action. Superheroes are still characters in a story, and like every other character type, they needed to […]
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