Plot Articles

"The first page sells this book. The last page sells your next book."  This simple yet helpful saying encapsulates the most significant characteristic of endings: they determine the final state you leave readers in. What state do you want that to be? If it's a...

Fairy-tale happily-ever-afters are fun. Contrary to popular belief, they can even be deep, meaningful, and effective. But they aren’t the only kind of ending you should have in your toolbox.Depending on the story you’re writing, a fairy-tale ending might seem...

By Brandon MillerWhat do character, theme, and tension have in common? They are all results of genuine internal conflict in a story.What is internal conflict? As opposed to external conflict which involves characters battling...

By Gabrielle PollackYour character wants something. But someone else in his world, perhaps a friend or a random stranger, wants the opposite. These incompatible goals define them as the protagonist and antagonist. They both can’t...