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I’ll be honest, I used to avoid poetry like the plague. I never understood it. The metaphors felt vague, the rhythm seemed confusing, and the “hidden meanings” always went right over my head. It just wasn’t my thing. I was a fiction and storytelling guy through and through. That changed when I had to take…
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I wasn’t supposed to be home until Monday. My sister had convinced me to take a whole week off and head upstate for a cabin getaway. No internet, barely any signal. Just peace. My husband told me to go and promised he’d be fine. Said he’d spend the week relaxing, catching up on some reading…
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If you’ve ever caught yourself staring into a dark hallway, heart racing over the idea that something, anything, might be waiting in the shadows, then hey… welcome to horror. It’s not always about buckets of blood or creepy monsters jumping out. Sometimes, it’s that weird silence. That nagging feeling that something is just… off. I’ve…
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Whether you’re rolling dice at a table or just dreaming up fantasy worlds from your desk, there’s something undeniably magical about Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). While I’ve never played a whole campaign myself, I’ve been fascinated with how D&D has helped artists and writers alike tap into their creativity. From games like Baldur’s Gate 3…
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If you’re interested in writing at all, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “Show, don’t tell.” It’s one of the most common pieces of writing advice out there, especially in creative writing. And honestly? It’s solid advice, most of the time. Showing brings scenes to life, drawing readers into the experience. But what if I told…
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Everyone’s writing style works a little differently. Some people swear by outlines. Others just start typing and hope the story figures itself out (that’s me!). And then some writers like a bit of both, blending planning with spontaneity. There’s this idea that you need to write “the right way,” like there’s a golden method that…
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I know, before you ask, it may seem as if I’m contradicting myself, because realism in fiction sounds like an oxymoron when the point of fiction is to escape reality, right? But stick with me here. There’s more nuance to it than just escaping reality. Let’s talk about realism in fiction. Fiction, by definition, doesn’t…
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Before you ask, “Squishyfish, you’re just trying to sell us products with this post, aren’t you?” No! I am not sponsored by any of these products. These are purely what I use or what I recommend to fellow writers starting their creative journeys. Rest assured, this is an unbiased discussion based solely on my own…
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Life is messy. People are weird. But that’s what makes them memorable. When writing fiction, it can be tempting to focus on the big stuff, like the plot twists, the lore, the action, and the drama. But sometimes, what sticks with readers the most is the little stuff. A nervous hand twitch. A favorite phrase.…
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Life has a funny way of piling on pressure. Deadlines, responsibilities, and the constant noise of expectations all start to build, and sometimes, it feels like everything is closing in. In those moments when I’m stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, there’s one thing I do that always seems to help. I go to a window or…