HOW TO READ MORE (AND ENJOY IT!)

Let’s face it: reading can be a chore. But if you’re a writer, reading is one of the most important steps you can take to level up your craft. If you’re in a reading slump, these tips can help pull you out of your rut and reignite your passion for books.

MASTERING SCENE PACING

Do your scenes stumble or drag? Do they leave your readers in the dust? Discover how to write scenes that flow effortlessly from one beat to another, complete with an example scene breakdown to aid your learning.

WHIP YOUR "AS" INTO SHAPE

If you find yourself reaching for the word “as” every sentence, it may have become a crutch. I’ll teach you the common pitfalls of using “as” and how you can line edit your way to stronger sentences without it.

REPETITION: BEATING DEAD HORSES

Although it has its uses as a literary device, repetition in prose can lead to boring and overexplained writing. Learn how to spot different kinds of repetition (even the sneaky kinds!) and what you can do to fix it.

IS YOUR PROSE BORING?

Have you ever been told your prose is repetitive? Dull? Even boring? Learn these crucial language skills and become an expert on writing varied paragraphs that will keep your readers engaged.

THE PROBLEM WITH STAGE DIRECTIONS

Stage directions aren’t only found in scripts. Learn how to tackle problems with stage directions and remove unnecessary repetition. Your readers will thank you!

BOOK REVIEWS: April '23

The first quarterly book review of 2023! This round-up includes Bath Haus by P.J. Vernon, My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent, Ill Will by Dan Chaon, and Drawing Blood by Poppy Z. Brite. Contains spoilers!

HOW TO READ LIKE A WRITER

Whether you're picking up a book for the first time in years or you read a new book every week, these ten tips will help you hone your storytelling skills while reading the books you already love.

BOOK ANALYSIS: A LITTLE LIFE

Hanya Yanagihara's A Little Life follows the enegmatic Jude through fifty years of life, from his harrowing childhood into his wildly successful adulthood and beyond. This epic tragedy is a both a test of empathy and a miserable lesson in futility.

Contains spoilers!

BOOK ANALYSIS: THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE

Haruki Murakami's The Wind Up Bird Chronicle tells the story of a man trying to uncover his wife's deepest secret. This surrealist nightmare poses far more questions than it answers, and will leave you wanting to curl up at the bottom of a well.

Contains spoilers!

BOOK ANALYSIS: IN THE MISO SOUP

Ryu Murakami's In the Miso Soup is an unsettling look into Tokyo's sex industry. Not for the faint-hearted, it drags the reader on a 'murder-mystery' full of Holden Caulfield-esque rants, hypnosis, and questionable character motivations.

Contains spoilers!

BOOK ANALYSIS: KITCHEN

Banana Yoshimoto's Kitchen tackles grief in two stories: Kitchen and Midnight Shadow. Dazzling, poignant prose highlights the beauty in continuing to live as her characters struggle to cope with their loved ones' death.

Contains spoilers!

BOOK ANALYSIS: OUT

Natsuo Kirino's Out asks the question: what will you do for money? This methodical crime thriller follows five women working the night shift as they unravel in the wake of a murder, weaving in themes of misogyny, obsession, and personal finance.

Contains spoilers!