Not every story idea that sparkles in our mind turns into a gem on paper. However, there are ways to test your ideas. Sandy Vaile shows you how.

Your story is full of good ups and downs, but your readers want to be able to make a connection with your characters too. Laurie shares some possibilities.

Verbal comedy, the art of comedic dialogue, uses a mix of many tools. Ellen Buikema shares several of them along with some helpful examples.

Whether you write horror, terror, thriller, or let’s face it, even romance, fear is one of the most powerful emotions you can tap into.

To give your readers the reward of a satisfying story, there are four things you must keep in mind. The first is the end.