How to Use "Tags" and "Beats" to Elevate Your Dialogue. by Brian Andrews If you think dialogue is something that only happens "inside the quotation marks," then think again. Yes, what your characters say matters immensely, but the savvy author knows...

Subtext 101: What lies beneath (Part 2 of 2) In Part 1 of this post, we compared subtext in a novel to a musical score in a film. Like a theatrical score, subtext does its work in the background—creating mood, tension, and cadence. Without subtext, a novel can feel...

If the craft of storytelling had its own Oscars, you can probably guess which elements would get top billing. Plot would sub in for Best Picture, Character would fit the bill for Best Actor in a male or female role, and narrative would stand in for Best Director....

You’ve just finished watching the latest episode of SEAL TEAM. Your heart is pounding, your adrenaline is pumping, and you say to yourself, “I’ve got an idea for a kickass military thriller, and by God, I’m going to write it.” Hooyah! You’re motivated, you have an...