A plot consists of every part of the storyline - the people, the conflicts, the world it takes place in. An important thing to remember - no plot is ever set in stone until the story is published. It can be changed as you write the story, not just one time but several times.

Darkfall, by Dean Koontz, is an edge-of-your-seat masterpiece. It begins with a 2-part prologue.

The Magic Hour, by James S. Crowley, opens with nine-year-old twin brothers Eddie and Brian preparing to spend their first night alone outside in their tree house. Their friend, Tad, has loaned them a story that he says they must listen to.

Agatha Christie was a master of deception and one of the world’s most famous mystery writers. At the time of year associated with ghosts, witches and murder, it is only fitting to turn to a book by the queen of mysteries.

The Halloween Tree was written by Ray Bradbury, a master of fantasy and science fiction. First published in 1972, it is a classic tale to be enjoyed by young and old alike.

Icebound by Dean Koontz is a book that will send chills up your spine in more ways than one. Its setting, the Arctic, is extremely cold and reading about the intense coldness tends to make one shiver, even if it is hot outside.

Dictionary.com defines writer's block as a usually temporary psychological inability to begin or continue work on a piece of writing. Scary thought, huh? For a writer, not being able to write can shatter an ego and become a nightmare.

In speaking and in writing, there are many phrases that are used. But where did these phrases originate? What are their meanings? Researching phrases and how they originated is one way to come up with ideas for stories.

Many of you that wish to take writing courses may not be able to afford them right now, but there are still many option available to help you in your quest to improve your creative writing skills.

I am constantly amazed by how many people (including myself) misuse words. Meanings, as well as pronunciations, are always misunderstood. In this article I’m going to talk about some of the words that are commonly misused in writing, as well as in speaking.