by Foster | Writing Q & A
“Show, Don’t Tell” is one of those golden nuggets of writing advice that has become so ubiquitous, so often re-uttered, that it has almost lost its meaning among writers trying to improve. It’s a part of our normal speech pattern at this point....
by Foster | Writing Q & A
With one flurry of keyboard strokes in On Writing, Stephen King set down what has become an ironclad rule for a generation of writers: Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings. It’s...
by Foster | Writing Q & A
Theme is one of the primary concepts in writing effective fiction, yet it is often elusive for writers. Nail your theme consistently throughout a story or book, and you’ll leave a lasting impression on your reader. Without theme, though, your story is just a...
by Foster | Writing Q & A
Little kids the world over and from time immemorial have been graced with the wise advice of their elders. When it comes to getting ahead in life, the counsel usually goes something like: “The early bird gets the worm!”. It’s trite and overused and...
by Foster | Writing Q & A
The use of prologues is one of those discussion points — along with “plot v. pants” and cliffhangers — that can divide a roomful of writers in an instant. Fans of the technique will tell you that a well-written prologue is essential for certain...
by Foster | Writing Q & A
One of the most common frustrations expressed by fans of fiction in TV, movies, and books is the proliferation of the cliffhanger. When a story seems like it’s building to a satisfactory ending and then just STOPS, the reader or viewer is first jolted out of his...
