The article discusses the complexity and charm of writing multi-POV narratives, particularly in speculative fiction. It emphasizes the importance of selecting functional POV threads that enhance the story and maintain reader engagement. Techniques such as cliffhanger handoffs and thematic convergence are highlighted to ensure multiple perspectives contribute meaningfully to the overall narrative.
Every sci-fi and fantasy writer plants "guns," from cursed objects, prophecies, and hidden weaknesses. But too many loaded guns exhaust the reader and too few payoff satisfyingly. Drawing on Tolkien's mithril shirt and Ender's mind game, this post breaks down how to plant, camouflage, and fire your story's Chekhov's Guns for maximum payoff.
Red herrings aren't just for mystery novels. Used well, they deepen every layer of your story — the tension, the world, the characters. Used poorly, they break the one thing you can't afford to lose: your reader's trust. Here's how to plant misdirection that satisfies instead of cheats.
Writing with ankylosing spondylitis isn't just a physical challenge. It's grief, guilt, and a fog that steals your best ideas at the worst moments. But your writing life isn't over. It just needs a different strategy. One that works with your body instead of against it.
Sometimes life gets away from you, and that's okay. I missed February's newsletter while grinding on my novel revisions—Please Subscribe is 50% through its 7th draft. Learn about my journey toward querying agents, the revised edition of The Great Salt Bowl, and the books keeping me inspired.
