The Bear Inn, Oxford, Nazi-Occupied Britain, 1947
SS-Sturmbannführer Ewald von Haupt walks into the pub.
In one moment, a pleasant, warm cacophony — loud voices, clinking glasses, laughter, singing — in the next, a chilled sudden silence, heads turning and all eyes darting in the tall, b...
From the diary of Kermit Roosevelt, the second son of Theodore Roosevelt, found in the estate of his younger sister, Esther Roosevelt.
Sunday, February 27, 1927, Rondônia, Brazil
Thirteen years the nightmare has haunted me.
I have blamed myself, pushed everyone away — everyone except...
Looking into my reflective surface, she whispers:
"Mirror, Mirror. Who is fairest of them all?"
I always answer:
"Your majesty, you are fairest of all."
... and then I show her the very best social images of herself, the ones that are curated (by me) for the combination of most views and h...
I want to write characters with motivations that drive the story and the character arc. How do I develop character motivations? Consider 9 types of character motivations:
- Physiological needs – basic survival instinct (hunger, thirst, sleep, shelter)
- Safety and security – protection from h...
I want to write complex, layered characters that feel real and are interesting and memorable. How do I write layered characters? Consider 11 contrasts that create layered characters in fiction:
- External vs Internal – external actions, appearances, role in society vs. internal thoughts, feel...
“Are you hungry?”
I open my eyes and see … me.
Well, it’s me, but a me that’s a bit older. This version of me is a very distinguished me, slim, dressed in a three piece suit, with gray thinning hair and a trim gray beard and mustache.
I’m in a recliner chair, upholstered in the softest leat...
I want to write well-rounded characters with quirks that makes them interesting and memorable. How do I write character quirks? Consider 9 types of character quirks in fiction:
- Physical - appearance and body habits, physical traits, features, mannerisms
- Personality - temperament, attitu...
The flash fiction story "His Wounds Green" was written in the "Pantser" method, one of the 3 ways to develop an idea into a story. That is: by the seat of my pants, using no outline, making it up as I went along.
The story was inspired by this Reedsy.com writing prompt:
Write a story tha...
"It's not your fault." Court put his naked arm around her naked shoulders, kissed the soft skin on her long, naked neck.
Really, Windsor thought, watching them through his electronic peephole, not your fault, then who's is it? Not mine, that's for damn sure, looking down at his wife a...
Midnight at the Old Opera House, all lights off.
Medea feels her way, the soles of her bare feet on the cool wooden floors, fingertips brushing the smooth round edge of the intimate dining table, holding on to the table-top until she feels the next table, making her way from table to table i...
I want to write a cozy mystery. What are the elements of the cozy mystery. How do I write a cozy mystery?
The 5 steps to write a cozy mystery are:
- Develop a great, memorable cozy detective – consider types such as the gifted amateur, the retiree, the reluctant detective, and the professio ...
London, 1898
The Moonstone Club
“Max,” said Sherlock Holmes, " I want to introduce you to my friend, Mr. Goliath."
The four famous detectives — Sherlock Holmes, Max Carrados, Dr. John Evelyn Thorndyke, and Chevalier Auguste Dupin — were gathered by the fireplace at the Moonstone Cl...
