@ADGansky Seems every writer has a set of “rules” they like to follow, or rather, they like to insist other writers must follow. I’ve always fancied myself a “rule-follower,” but when it comes to fiction, we need to be aware of what “rules” are there for our own good, and…

by Aaron Gansky @adgansky When an idea for a novel pops into our minds, the first thing we like to do is flesh out a few major plot points, which is fine. But, it can become a problem when we race our characters from one place to the next simply…

by Aaron Gansky @adgansky You hear writers often mention the “fictive dream.” John Gardner called it a “vivid and continuous dream.” It’s a term used to describe a simple principle: no one wants to read a book. There, I said it. Man, it feels good to get that off my…

by Aaron Gansky @adgansky As writers, we’re often admonished to establish mystery. The great unknown will keep our readers turning pages, so they say. But this inadvertently leads several beginning writers into a trap—the lack of detail trap. Do not confuse murky for mystery. [tweet_box design="default" float="none" inject="via @adgansky @BRMCWC…

by Aaron Gansky @adgansky You're using language when you write. Can’t do it without. But language is more a term encompassing vocabulary, imagery, and figurative language. Though it’s of vital importance, it seems to be the thing that is most often overlooked. As writers, we put notoriously little thought into…

by Aaron Gansky @adgansky Here’s a question more people should ask me about my writing, but don’t: Why do you write speculative fiction? What’s the point? What possible good can it do, especially for a Christian audience? The likely reason people don’t ask me this is because I tend to surround…