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How to write a scene
Did you watch the Oscars this past weekend? I didn’t, but I used to love watching the celebrities dress to the nines, and celebrate the...

Karyn Fischer
Mar 13, 202412 min read
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A therapist's guide to mining character
If you’ve been following me for a while, you might already know that I am an identical twin. One question I sometimes get asked is...

Karyn Fischer
Dec 4, 20234 min read
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Interiority: The most common mistake I see writers make
Do you know what the hardest part of fiction to get right is? The one I see most of my clients and slush pile contributors get wrong?...

Karyn Fischer
Oct 26, 20234 min read
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How Peter Pan and Wendy captures the essence of story
I had the immense pleasure of watching Peter Pan and Wendy the other Friday when it debuted on Disney+. I wasn’t expecting to like it...

Karyn Fischer
May 10, 20236 min read
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How to determine if a literary agent is the right fit for you
How do you know if your agent is "The One?" Well, as with romantic relationships, it takes more than initial interest to create a great,...

Karyn Fischer
Apr 26, 20232 min read
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How to craft great dialogue
Confession: I freaking adore Emily Henry’s books. If you haven’t read them, and you enjoy a good romance, I recommend picking one up....

Karyn Fischer
Mar 23, 20235 min read
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The essential components of scenes
Over the weekend I took my 5-year-old daughter to see her first real play, Beauty and the Beast. Based on the Broadway musical of the...

Karyn Fischer
Mar 21, 20234 min read
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The importance of play in creative writing
The other day, as I was working, I saw my puppy, Bruno—a derpy Aussiedoodle—playing with something. (Probably one of the billion...

Karyn Fischer
Mar 21, 20232 min read
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Why wedding toasts really make us cry
Have you ever gone to a wedding and listened to a toast that really spoke to you or made you feel some powerful emotions? Have you ever...

Karyn Fischer
Mar 16, 20233 min read
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On pickleball and mastering a new skill (like writing fiction)
The first time I tried pickleball I felt like a prize fool. I was playing doubles with my husband and a girlfriend and her husband. Her...

Karyn Fischer
Feb 23, 20234 min read
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Why these Super Bowl commercials made me cry (and what fiction writers can learn from it)
As I've said in past posts...I am not a sports fan. So this past weekend's Super Bowl event did nothing for me, besides give me an excuse...

Karyn Fischer
Feb 19, 20233 min read
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How to use the 8 Types of Love to build story resonance
Think you're not writing a love story? Well, I hate to break it to you, but you are. All stories are love stories. Hear me out: Love is...

Karyn Fischer
Feb 10, 20235 min read
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A look at the writing life through the lens of romantic love
I fell in love with my husband when I was fifteen years old. We were high school freshmen, and I noticed this cute boy on the first day...

Karyn Fischer
Feb 9, 20233 min read
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What Monster Jam taught me about storytelling
Last weekend my in-laws took our family to Monster Jam, the monster truck rally, and it was...loud! But it was also so much fun and an...

Karyn Fischer
Feb 9, 20233 min read
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What roller skating with little kids has in common with writing a novel
Over the long weekend last month, I had quite an interesting experience. My 3-year-old son was invited to a roller skating birthday party...

Karyn Fischer
Feb 8, 20233 min read
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Obstacles, tension, and raising the stakes in your novel
Every January, my husband and I have a Back to the Future marathon. Even though we've seen the franchise a billion times, we always...

Karyn Fischer
Feb 7, 20236 min read
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How a novel about video games is changing how I write fiction
"Mindset" is a buzzy word these days, but I'm quickly learning it's well worth paying attention to, studying, and mastering as a writer....

Karyn Fischer
Feb 7, 20232 min read
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