The Name Crafter

For decades, the literary world was dominated by two extremes: the cold, detached irony of Postmodernism and the brutal, "everything-is-terrible" grit of Grimdark . But as we move through 2026, a seismic shift has occurred. Readers are no longer looking for stories that simply tear things down; they are looking for stories that show how to build them back up. This shift is known as Metamodernism , and it has birthed two of the most influential "sub-movements" of our decade: N

If you’ve ever spent time in a writing workshop or a critique group, you’ve likely had these three words thrown at you like a mantra: “Show, don’t tell.” It is perhaps the most famous piece of writing advice in history, famously attributed to the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov , who purportedly said: “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” But while the concept sounds simple, mastering it is what separates amateur prose from professi

Creating a hero is only half the battle. To truly understand how "bright" your hero’s light is, you need to see it against a dark background, or perhaps a different shade of gray. This is where the Foil  comes in. In literature, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) to highlight particular qualities of that character. Think of it like this: you don’t know how tall a giant is until you see them standing next to a regular person. T

A great story is much more than a single, straight line from beginning to end. While your main plot  drives the narrative forward with the central conflict, subplots  are the vital, secondary roads that add depth, complexity, and surprise  to your world. They are the secondary storylines that run parallel to the main one, and they are essential for transforming a simple narrative into a truly immersive and engaging read. Here's why subplots are so crucial for capturing and ho

When writing, we want our stories to be fresh, surprising, and unforgettable. But sometimes, even with the best intentions, we fall back on familiar patterns. These "clichés" can make a story feel predictable and uninspired. The secret to originality isn't avoiding familiar ideas entirely; it's taking a familiar idea and giving it your own unique, unexpected spin. Here are five advanced strategies to help you turn the expected into the extraordinary. 1. Dig Deeper than the T

Fantasy writing is one of the most exciting genres because it allows us to invent entire worlds, characters, and histories! But the true challenge isn’t just in establishing dragons, castles, or ancient spells. It’s in telling a story that feels real and authentic  despite its impossible elements. The best fantasy operates on two levels: the epic scale of the impossible and the intimate scale of the human. Here are a few practical tips we compiled to help inspire your fantas