Good novelists create characters who are complex. unique, and have relatable human needs and feelings. Joyce Carol Oates is one of our best contemporary novelists, and has created a host of memorable ...

The best books on writing tend to be well, if not beautifully, written. But I have found that great books about writing great fiction — such as those by Eudora Welty and E Lily Yu — often contain ...

After 35 years of teaching fiction writing, the prize-winning author shares her wisdom. First tip? Don’t write what you know… I don’t think it’s a bad thing to want to write a first sentence so ...

What are the rules for storytelling in fantasy writing? When thinking about stories, the ultimate test for storytelling rules lies in the world of fantasy and fiction writing. In these magical worlds ...

Fan fiction may not command the same respect as other literary pursuits, but it's a rich mode of expression, says one author who mounts a passionate case for the style. Who is she? Esther Yi is an ...

A police officer's hand in gloves write on a notepad.Jan Hakan Dahlstrom—Getty Images There are some hard ethical questions in the writing of crime fiction. For me, the most difficult one is how to ...