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Writer’s Toolbox

Ask The Writer

All Categories

Your most pressing and perplexing questions about writing answered here by Gotham teacher Brandi Reissenweber.

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  • Adaptation
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Plot

I like to write stories that have a twist at the end, something to shock the reader. My writing group says they don't like this. Are twist endings passé or am I in the wrong writing group?
I started my short story with a character waking up in the morning and I was told this is a bad idea. What's wrong with it?
I am so paranoid about having a "sagging" or boring middle. I think it makes me afraid to write. I'm not sure of all the things that need to happen, despite knowing the last part of the novel. Any suggestions?
What is in medias res?
How do I jump from one time to another without confusing the reader?
Do you have any tips on researching? I’m looking into dendrochronology and I’m having a hard time finding out more about forensic botany without spending hundreds for books I’m not sure would help.
How long is a short story?
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