Writing a fake memoir is a treacherous, tricky business. But learning how it’s done is the best way to avoid being fooled by the next shocking but highly improbable bestselling tell-all.
How to write like Jane Jago
Present-day mystery and alternative history require research; otherwise one trips over the sort of people who know stuff. And believe me, they will jump on you if you put a pinkie wrong.
How to write like Hunter S. Thompson
Even if you’re not a journalist, learning to write like Hunter S. Thompson will shake up your writing habits and add an unorthodox liveliness to anything from memoirs to blog posts to job-seeking cover letters.
How to write like Margret A. Treiber
Strong characters are a must. I don’t have to like the characters, but I have to have some point to relate to
How to write like H.P. Lovecraft
Learning to write like Lovecraft can make you frighteningly good at crafting a tale of terror. But there are blood-curdling drawbacks to Lovecraft’s style.
How to write like Laura Ingalls Wilder
Capturing the nuances of Laura Ingalls Wilders' settings, themes, and narrative style can be unexpectedly challenging … and controversial.
How to write a story in 20 minutes
In an ideal world, there would never be a deadline when you set out to write a story. But in the real world, time is of the essence.
How to write like Aaron Rath
If I could change anything from childhood, it would be to seek out more writer friends and communities. I spent a lot of time envisioning myself as a guy alone in a room, manufacturing the sublime out of nothing, and all that’s done is slow down my learning curve. Being part of a conversation and sharing more probably would have sped up the process.
How to write in medias res
In medias res is easy to do — too easy, in fact. The trick is, it’s hard to do well.
How to write like Emily Dickinson
She wore all white, she hid herself away from the world, and she was an urban legend in her hometown. She also wrote some of the most unusual and enduring poetry of all time — and nobody but Emily Dickinson herself realized it until after her death.