Manipulating the Shape of a Story
The author of Clutch (Tin House, February 2026) reflects on adjusting rising and falling action across time in fiction.
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Embrace the “And Then”: Lessons From Fairy Tales
Fairy tales are built on their own enchanting associative logic. A maestro of magical realism explores what writers can unlock when they let readers leap between a story’s plot points—and where such a trail of breadcrumbs can lead.
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Cultivate Suspense: Lessons From Thrillers
The author of Winter Counts offers a masterclass in building suspense, whether your character is planning a heist or planting a garden.
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Familiar Characters
The author of Short War contemplates the rewards of modeling minor characters on real people.
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The Challenge and Freedom of Managing a Large Cast of Characters
The author of The Museum of Human History considers how to manage a novel’s many threads.
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How to Trick Yourself Into Writing a Novel
The author of The Museum of Human History offers a method for moving from short stories to longer-form narratives.
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Ten Questions for Allie Rowbottom
“It’s up to you to advocate for your books.” —Allie Rowbottom, author of Aesthetica
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Ten Questions for Ottessa Moshfegh
“I was struck by the freedom of third person, how I could roam and jump and skip around, and cozy up to characters and then back away.” —Ottessa Moshfegh, author of Lapvona
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Ten Questions for Christine Kandic Torres
“I wanted to write female friendship in a way that felt honest to me.” —Christine Kandic Torres, author of The Girls in Queens
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Ten Questions for Sloane Crosley
“When you’re in that in-between stage, between starting something and gathering speed, a piece of chipped nail polish is the most riveting thing in the world.” —Sloane Crosley, author of Cult Classic
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