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How Writers Control the Way a Story Feels

How Writers Control the Way a Story Feels

In the realm of literature and other artistic media, the term "mode" serves as an unspecific critical designation. It typically refers to a broad y...
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What Is Authorial Tone, and Why Does It Matter in Literature?

What Is Authorial Tone, and Why Does It Matter in Literature?

Every piece of literature, from the most imaginative novel to the most straightforward technical manual, carries an inherent tone. This tone is a d...
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How Writers Introduce Huge Ensembles Without Losing the Audience

How Writers Introduce Huge Ensembles Without Losing the Audience

From 'Game of Thrones' to 'Knives Out,' discover the clever techniques master storytellers use to introduce huge casts of characters memorably.
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Why Prequels Need to Surprise Viewers Who Already Know the Ending

Why Prequels Need to Surprise Viewers Who Already Know the Ending

Even when the final destination is known, the best prequels find ways to shock and reframe our understanding of the journey.
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Why Villain Introductions Can Become a TV Premiere’s Most Memorable Scene

Why Villain Introductions Can Become a TV Premiere’s Most Memorable Scene

Fall TV premieres often give the best scenes to the villain. We explore the narrative reasons why antagonists get to be so compelling from the start.
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5 Premiere Clues That Suggest a Series Has Room to Grow

5 Premiere Clues That Suggest a Series Has Room to Grow

From a pilot's world-building to its character depth, here are the key signals that a new TV show has the narrative engine to last for many seasons.
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How Science-Fiction Premieres Can Explain Complex Worlds Without an Info-Dump

How Science-Fiction Premieres Can Explain Complex Worlds Without an Info-Dump

Great science-fiction invites you into its world without a lecture. Why, then, do so many new shows rely on clunky info-dumps to get started?
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How Writers Use Word Choice to Create Tone

How Writers Use Word Choice to Create Tone

In the world of literature, understanding the concept of tone is crucial for appreciating a writer's craft. Tone refers to the writer's attitude to...
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Four Dialogue Tests That Can Strengthen a TV Pilot

Four Dialogue Tests That Can Strengthen a TV Pilot

Ever wonder what makes a TV pilot instantly gripping? The secret often lies in a dialogue test that separates the truly great from the merely good.
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Why Episode Two Is a Crucial Test for a New TV Series

Why Episode Two Is a Crucial Test for a New TV Series

In the high-stakes world of television, the season premiere gets all the attention, but the second episode is often the true test of a show's potential.
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Why Exposition Is One of the Toughest Challenges in a TV Premiere

Why Exposition Is One of the Toughest Challenges in a TV Premiere

Explore why crafting elegant exposition—the vital who, what, and where of a story—is the biggest challenge for any new TV show in the fall.
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Bruce McLean, 97-Year-Old Author, Releases Second Novel 'Uncle Tallulah'

Bruce McLean, 97-Year-Old Author, Releases Second Novel 'Uncle Tallulah'

Bruce McLean, 97-Year-Old Author, Releases Second Novel 'Uncle Tallulah'