Tool Box

The place where we neatly arrange random thoughts on the writing craft, by us and others

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Tension lessons from a great book and a middling movie

It’s WHALEFALL versus HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME and the whale wins

Sep 14 •

Killing people at diners

Or, why I'm trying a new ending after a writing retreat.

Aug 31 •

How Limitations Spark Creativity

Plus an accidental Hollywood discovery about suspense: show us less and we will fear much, much more. Guest post by Jamey Bradbury!

Aug 24 •

Andromeda Romano-Lax

Doing it: early and often, or better to hold out?

Sharing your story ideas.

Jul 20 •

Mystery versus suspense: What HBO’s White Lotus can teach us about how genres work...

While also helping define our own personal preferences for story, theme, structure and pacing, which can help when we sit down to write our novels

Jun 15 •

Andromeda Romano-Lax

Book report: lessons from judging a lit award

Covers, publishers, and getting down to DNF

May 25 •

Reverse outlining lessons from an Edgar winner

PLEASE SEE US author Caitlin Mullen shares one of her essential craft tools for developing and revising suspense fiction

May 18

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