The Delve

• Louisa May Alcott’s forgotten horror story
  In 1885, the author of “Little Women” wrote a tale that's shocking, bloodcurdling and truly terrifying ... and it was written for children. Let's read it together! Continue reading →
• Why recipe blog posts are so long
  Why do food bloggers write so much? Does anyone actually like reading them? Why don't they just get to the recipe?! The answers to these questions will surprise you, and so will this free recipe for a very obscure cake Continue reading →
• What Tommy Wiseau’s “The Room” is really about
  What is the 2003 cult classic "The Room" really about, you ask? I finally figured it out. It all makes sense now. And it's even crazier than you think. Continue reading →
• What is a chapter?
  There's clearly a difference between a short story and a chapter of a novel. But what, exactly, is it? Continue reading →
• This is the end of the ‘Flowers in the Attic’ series
  “Out of the Attic” is the nail in the coffin for V.C. Andrews' once-popular series. It's also, quite possibly, the world's longest short story at 336 pages. Here's why. Continue reading →
• Good news for people who like free books
  Get a free copy of the new mini novella, "The Drowned Town." What's the catch? There's no catch! Continue reading →
• The short, sad life of Edgar Allan Poe’s child bride
  Her name was Virginia Clemm, and she was his cousin. When Poe, age 27, married her, she was just 13. How and why they wed is the strangest of Poe's grim tales. Continue reading →
• What is literary fiction?
  Literary fiction breaks many of the rules of conventional novel writing. But are there some rules that can't be broken? Continue reading →
• How to go viral
  A guide to what makes hoaxes, memes and fake news spread Continue reading →
• Is radio dying?
  Listeners are abandoning radio and advertisers are steadily dropping out. But they're not the biggest threats. It's something a lot simpler. Continue reading →

How to Write Like

• How to write an essay
  Everything you need to know to write an essay for school, work or your creative writing project (yes, everything!)
• How to write a novel in 30 days
  Is it possible to write a novel in a month? Yes! These 5 tips — each of which I've personally tested — will help you do it.
• How to write like K. Elliott
  "I think strong characters are essential. You want to get your audience invested in your characters, and you want to show the different dimensions of their personalities. Even when you're writing a villain, I believe it is essential to show humanity in the villain."
• How to write a prologue
  Your prologue is not a Wikipedia page about your book, and other helpful hints about a most divisive literary device.
• How to write a limerick
  There once was a man from Nantucket...
• How to write a MacGuffin
  MacGuffins are a very popular and very controversial storytelling device. Some think they’re props for bad writing. Others say they help make a story exciting. The truth is, both opinions are right. These four tips will help you create a great MacGuffin.
• How to write a poem like ‘The Raven’
  "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe has many admirers but few imitators. Though it's a very complex poem, these 6 tips will help you understand how it works and show you how to write your own "Raven."
• How to write like Edgar Allan Poe
  Ready to write something scary? Poe's stories are still considered masterpieces of horror writing to this day. These six tips will help you craft a tale of terror just like Poe.
• How to create a fictional language
  Creating your own fictional language can be an effective way to add depth to a story and strengthen your worldbuilding. And it's easier (and more fun) than you think!
• How to write like Ian Fleming
  Seven tips that will transform a story from a simple thriller into a heart-pounding, James Bond style masterpiece.