How do you turn good writing into great writing?
With stories that engage, thrill, and surprise your reader.
That create drama right on the sentence level.
How do you keep readers hooked moment by moment?
In this episode, I’m sharing 3 little known techniques to turn good writing into great writing.
These are techniques I learned from my MFA advisors and teachers — techniques you likely haven’t heard of…
Until now.
This episode will transform the way you write, and give your story an edge.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Episode at a glance:
[02:24] 1. But Constructions
This is one of the easiest and most fool proof ways to inject conflict right on the sentence level. Just add a but to any declarative sentence to introduce contrasts, juxtapositions, surprise, and reversals in reader expectation.
[08:23] 2. Split Moments
This is where the character is engaged in an action and pulls out from the moment at hand and looks at the story of his life. It’s a smart, seamless way to slip in essential character backstory.
[11:57] 3. Progressive Disburdenment
This is when an emotional burden or package of reality is put forth progressively over the course of the story, not put on fully in the middle or the end. It’s a great way to keep readers curious and leaning in sentence by sentence.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Jesus’ Son: Stories by Denis Johnson
Female Trouble: Stories by Antonya Nelson
Letting Loose The Hounds and Other Stories by Brady Udall
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