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.
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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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Scene Opening Type: Hooking the Reader from Line One
Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge. What’s the first thing your reader sees when they start a new scene? If your answer is “uh… description, probably?”—you might be…
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Millie Anderson: Strength in Silence
If you passed her on the street, you might not notice her. She doesn’t beg for attention. She doesn’t command the room. She doesn’t crack jokes to make…
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Fictionary Story Elements: Purpose
Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge. Why Every Scene Must Pull Its Weight In fiction, there’s no room for fluff. Readers are sharp. They expect every scene to…
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Why Millie Had to Run – And Why I Had to Write Her Story
There are stories we tell because they’re fun. There are stories we tell because they won’t leave us alone. And then there are stories like Millie’s Daughter—stories we…
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Story Arc: Crafting a Structure That Keeps Readers Turning Pages
Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge. We’ve all read stories that hook us early, build suspense through the middle, and deliver an unforgettable ending. That kind of pacing…
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Scene Name: Discovering the Purpose of Every Scene
Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge. What’s really happening in this scene? That’s the first question we ask when we arrive at the Scene Name element in Fictionary’s…
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Characters in Motion: Bringing Scenes to Life
Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge. Every great story moves—not just in plot, but within the scenes themselves. Motion breathes life into characters, making their emotions tangible and…
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Scene Impact on Protagonist: Tracking the Emotional Journey
Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge. Every story is driven by the protagonist’s transformation—whether they grow, break, or hold firm against life’s challenges. To keep readers invested in…
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Scene Impact on POV Character: Tracking the Emotional Arc
Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge! Every scene in a novel should have an impact on the Point of View (POV) character. Whether it’s a moment of triumph,…
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Fictionary’s Story Elements: What if Goal Fails?
Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge! Today, we delve into a crucial story element that keeps readers engaged: What if Goal Fails? This element establishes the stakes in…
Richard L. Fricks 