For many years I wrote about fiction, story, belief, ordinary life, and the questions that shaped my work. More than two thousand essays remain here—not because every one represents my current thinking, but because together they tell the story of a writer learning over time.
Search for a subject, browse by month and year, or begin with the most recent writing below.
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The archive begins with the most recent writing. Use the numbered pages below to move backward through time.
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Happy Birthday, Brain Pickings: 7 Things I Learned in 7 Years of Reading, Writing, and Living
I’m currently taking a writing, blogging, and coaching sabbatical due to family health issues. For now, I’ll repost selected articles from my Fiction Writing School. Here is the…
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Making Your Fiction a Place You Want To Be
I’m currently taking a writing, blogging, and coaching sabbatical due to family health issues. For now, I’ll repost selected articles from my Fiction Writing School. Here is the…
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What is Theme? A Look at 20 Common Themes in Literature
I’m currently taking a writing, blogging, and coaching sabbatical due to family health issues. For now, I’ll repost selected articles from my Fiction Writing School. Here is the…
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The Imperfectionist
I’m currently taking a writing, blogging, and coaching sabbatical due to family health issues. For now, I’ll repost selected articles from my Fiction Writing School. I don’t have…
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On Writing: Why Mastery Should Matter to the Serious Author
I’m currently taking a writing, blogging, and coaching sabbatical due to family health issues. For now, I’ll repost selected articles from my Fiction Writing School. Here is the…
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Deepening Your Story’s Theme With the Thematic Square
I’m currently taking a writing, blogging, and coaching sabbatical due to family health issues. For now, I’ll repost selected articles from my Fiction Writing School. Here is the…
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Iris Murdoch on Storytelling, Why Art Is Essential for Democracy, and the Key to Good Writing
I’m currently taking a writing, blogging, and coaching sabbatical due to family health issues. For now, I’ll repost selected articles from my Fiction Writing School. Here is the…
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The Most Crucial Ingredient for Solid Story Conflict
I’m currently taking a writing, blogging, and coaching sabbatical due to family health issues. For now, I’ll repost selected articles from my Fiction Writing School. Here is the…
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How to Fall In Love with Writing All Over Again
I’m currently taking a writing, blogging, and coaching sabbatical due to family health issues. For now, I’ll repost selected articles from my Fiction Writing School. Here is the…
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Staying Creative While the World is Burning
I’m currently taking a writing, blogging, and coaching sabbatical due to family health issues. For now, I’ll repost selected articles from my Fiction Writing School. Here is the…
Richard L. Fricks 