Writing Craft Gazette

Quick Recap

• An article examined why few writers adopted James Joyce's multi-style approach from Ulysses.
• A post discussed how maintaining story...

Authors embraced stream of consciousness from Ulysses but largely rejected Joyce’s radical multi-style approach.

Three barriers stood out:

• Voice...

Missing writing days triggers guilt, but the real obstacle is reconstructing forgotten plot details, character arcs, and next steps upon return.

-...

The original Toy Story delivers essential craft lessons that still resonate for writers today.

• Efficient character introductions: The opening...

Craft Technique Breakdowns

• 🔥 The Cumulative Sentence: Explains how the cumulative sentence structure builds rhythm, reveals character emotion,...

Two experts spotlight early script killers and fixes:

• Overwritten action lines with camera directions slow readers; fix by using short bursts under...

Historical figures work best as catalysts, not leads, when you peek behind their public personas.

• Stick strictly to sacrosanct facts—dates,...

Aruni Kashyap spent 10 years on his novel because he was terrified writing the ending would make his feared outcome come true in reality. A friend's...

Two upcoming workshops deliver targeted craft training for writers at different stages.

• Screenwriters can join the August 12 SIP workshop in...

Skip the $200–$750 pro formatting fees by handling Kindle and print yourself. This guide shows exactly how.

• Ebook basics: Use EPUB (MOBI is dead),...

The cumulative sentence starts with a complete main clause then adds phrases that layer physical detail before moving inward to emotional truth.

Key...

Screenwriting Craft Discussions

• Rashida Jones & Will McCormack on 'The Invite': Discusses balancing humor and pain in screenwriting...

No significant updates today.

A free July 14 Zoom workshop led by Elaine Turner shows writers how to use creativity and play during revision, applying Anne Lamott’s “dental draft”...

Agent experience reveals why first pages fail fast. Prioritize these fixes:

• Anchor to your protagonist immediately—skip named side characters with...

Hilary Zaid's letter to aspiring writers reframes the craft as communion rather than lonely pursuit, urging us to send real letters to loved ones...

Craft Techniques

• Dialogue Tags Guide: Explores how dialogue tags like 'said' provide clarity and guide emotional pacing without competing with...

The Diversifying Writers Series creates space for writers from marginalized backgrounds to develop and share their stories while centering both their...

MFA grad Kelsey Cox cut an entire POV character two months before deadline after a late check-in showed her draft didn't feel right, instantly sharpening focus and letting her finish strong.

Said works because it stays nearly invisible, letting dialogue carry the emotional weight.

• Flashy alternatives like growled or proclaimed pull...