If you’ve ever even attempted to write anything in story format, you’ve more than likely found yourself caught in the middle of the debate over dialogue tags and whether “said” is the only one you should use. It’s long been a source of controversy in the writing community, especially those who prefer more descriptive alternatives. Some argue that "said" is invisible to readers and should be used exclusively, while others believe that more varied tags add flavor and depth to dialogue.

Debate aside, the actual truth is that dialogue tools are a tool, and like any tool, they should be used strategically.

We all like to laugh, and humor can be a powerful tool in even the most serious stories. It lightens the mood, deepens character relationships, and offers readers a moment of relief before diving back into the intensity of the main plot.

However, it can be tricky to find the balance. Too much, and it can feel out of place or break the emotional tension; too little, and the story may become overly heavy. The key is learning how to weave humor into your story naturally without disrupting the tone. Let’s get write on in to some techniques

Whether you’re a newer writer or a seasoned pro, you’re bound to have to interview someone at some point of your career.

Regardless of your skill level, the status of your interviewee, or where the interview is going, let’s get write on in to some tips to help you crush your next interview.

The human range of emotions is far greater than we can consciously perceive.

It's easy to generalize them by saying things like, "angry," "sad," or "scared," but how do we hone in on those emotions?

How do we, as writers, make an individual emotion expressed by a fictional character somehow seem believable?

Have you ever tried to write a book?

If not, have you ever thought about how much work goes into it?

More importantly, if you have… have you ever thought about how much work goes into it?