The Quiet Alchemist

How to write a haiku. Today we're exploring the essence of the haiku. Haikus should have strong, striking images and contain a moment of insight inspired by an observation in nature. Haikus have three lines that follow a 5-7-5 syllable count. Together we also explore exactly why haikus are so powerful in helping us appreciate each moment of life as it unfolds instead of living in the past or the f...

The best approach to outlining your novel. Whether your outline is a loose structure or a fully-detailed story map, it needs to have two components to be successful. Together we go through exactly what your outline needs to include to make sure your resulting draft is sellable to agents and loved by readers. … Morgan's Poetry Masterclass on how to get published:   https://poetry-masterclass.thinki...

How to use Tarot Cards to add depth and layers to your characters. Today we're exploring how to pull Tarot Cards to create backstory, traits, beliefs, interpersonal dynamics, and other characterization for the main characters in your novel. You'll learn exactly what Tarot Cards are and the three steps you can use to pull cards that develop your character's unique story.   Below are 21 questions to...

How to write dialogue that sweeps your readers into your story. Today we're exploring the essential components of dialogue. Effective dialogue should both aid in characterization and move the plot forward. We go through the most common mistakes new and intermediate writers make when crafting character dialogue, including how to correctly format dialogue and the best way to use dialogue tags.   Tod...

How to make readers laugh. Today we're exploring techniques for adding humor into your writing. Together we outline four proven models borrowed from the stand-up comedy work to inject humor into your work. Long live the humorous poem!   Today's example poem is Thank You for Waiting by Simon Armitage.   …   Morgan's Poetry Masterclass on how to get published:   https://poetry-masterclass.thinkific....

How to make your characters feel so real they could walk off the page and into your world.  Today we're exploring whether consistency should be the holy grail of characterization or whether we should instead aim for writing characters that grow, change, and surprise the reader. We go through a writing exercise to break you out of cliches and take your characterization into exciting realms.   Today...

How to make your first sentence sizzle and pop so the reader has to keep reading. Today we're exploring exactly how to craft a winning first sentence that will pull a reader into your book and never let go. I learned most of what I'm sharing today from James Patterson himself, so buckle up, it's going to be a worthwhile ride. … Find Morgan's Poetry Masterclass on how to get published here:   https...

How to create incredible poems using the power of refrains. Today we dive into exactly what makes refrains such a powerful tool in poetry and how to use them effectively in your writing. Two poetry prompts are also included to help you take this tool into your hands effectively.  Today's example poem is "She Had Some Horses" by Joy Harjo. … Find Morgan's Poetry Writing Masterclass on how to get pu...

Is the trope of the tortured artist really helping our art? Or hindering it? For hundreds of years all over the globe, one concept has existed – artists must suffer greatly to make great art. Together we explore whether we really need pain, grief, or heartbreak to create the most amazing writing that we are capable of. Today's example author is Elizabeth Gilbert.  … Find Morgan's Poetry Masterclas...

How to master this unique and truncated form of writing: the monologue story. The monologue story is a seldom-seen form of writing, but it is worthwhile getting to know. Today we explore how to conquer this rare format in order to craft compelling and deliciously surprising monologue stories.  Today's example short story is "East on Houston" from Glory Goes and Gets Some: Stores by Emily Carter. ....

How to write an "after" poem that builds off of another writer's work without ripping them off. Today we explore the tough tightrope of "after" poems. Let's find a space where we find inspiration within another poem in order to create a larger link of intertextuality without writing something so similar that it infringes on the other poem.  Today's example poem is "Everything Will Be Taken Away" b...

How a pen name can be used in a vast variety of ways to advance your writing career. We explore the many, many reasons authors have hidden behind pen names throughout history and how using one might benefit your career in today's modern writing environment. This is one of my favorite episodes so far, so let's dive in! Today's example novel is Indiana by George Sand (who was really Amantine Lucille...

How writing poetry can be a form of healing therapy. We explore two different exercises for using writing poetry to tap into a deep well of self-love. Your resulting poems can be used as powerful pieces to submit to literary magazines and journals all over the world.  Today's example novel is Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou. . . . Find Morgan's Poetry Masterclass on how to get published here:   h...

How do you know when your poem could benefit from being in pose format? Today we dive into the history of the most mysterious poetic format – the prose poem. Together we explore when this form can be utilized to effectively advance the purposes of your poem. Our example poem is "Intact Woman" by Victoria Redel. Find Morgan's Poetry Masterclass on how to get published here:   https://poetry-masterc...

How to use personification to create impactful metaphors and memorable characters in your fiction. Today we explore personification as a tool for our writing that is valuable yet can be used too heavily. We'll learn how to strike the right balance to make this tool work for our writing, rather than against it. Our example short story is "There will come soft rains" by Ray Bradbury. . . . Find Morg...

How to create hidden half-meanings, dynamic rhythms, and layers of context with your poetic line breaks. Today we're exploring how to artfully master line breaks in order to create rich meaning and poetic music. Our example poem is "Edge" by Sylvia Plath. . . . Find Morgan's Poetry Masterclass on how to get published here:   https://poetry-masterclass.thinkific.com/courses/poetry-masterclass Find...

How to create characters that feel like they could walk off the page and out into the world. Today we explore the process of asking your characters a specific set of questions in order to render them with more depth and detail. My challenging, strike-to-the-heart set of questions for you to ask your characters will make your characters feel more real in your fiction. Our example set of questions a...

How to eliminate stale and uncompelling language from your writing. Today we learn how to utilize an editing process that removes all dead language from your poem and replaces it with the freshest language you can muster in order to take your writing to the next level. Our example poem is "At Fifty I Am Startled to Find I Am in My Splendor" by Sandra Cisneros. Find Morgan's Poetry Masterclass on h...

How does releasing expectations you've placed on yourself and your poem help you to create better work? Today we dive into the process of crafting a new poem and explore a way of writing that fully lets go. Our example poet is Ha Jin. . . . Find Morgan's Poetry Masterclass on how to get published here:   https://poetry-masterclass.thinkific.com/courses/poetry-masterclass Find Morgan's poetry chapb...

How does the process of writing a novel transform you as a person? Morgan's theory is that we write novels in order to become more healed and whole. Does this theory hold water with your favorite novelists? We'll explore this and so much more in today's episode. Our example novel is The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. . . . Find Morgan's Poetry Masterclass on how to get published here:   https://poe...

How to make your fiction come alive with detail. Today we're exploring one of the most important lessons in writing excellent fiction – banishing generality and embracing the particular. We'll hear excerpts from Margaret Atwood and Natalie Goldberg to aid us in exploring how to make our writing better by being specific.  Our example short story is "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" by Joy...

How to take your poem from mediocre to amazing.  Today we're diving into a core technique that will uplevel your writing – revising towards strangeness. We push the limits of the poem to unique and strange ground in this lesson.  Our example poem is Sugar by Penny Campbell. . . . Find Morgan's Poetry Masterclass on how to get published here: https://poetry-masterclass.thinkific.com/courses/poetry-...

How to pick the most important part of your poem: the title. Since the title is the first (and perhaps the only) impression a reader or editor will get of your poem, we must ensure it's great. We explore the principles of effective titles and common pitfalls to avoid. Our example poem is "Girls That Never Die" by Safia Elhillo. . . . Find Morgan's Poetry Masterclass on how to get published here:  ...

The podcast that transforms you into a better writer.   Bite-size episodes each week with concrete, practical tips to improve your writing. We dive into all different literary forms, like poetry, short stories, and novels. Pull up a seat and let's get your pen making magic.