KN Magazine: Articles
Japanese Literary Terms
Neil Plakcy introduces fifteen essential Japanese literary terms—like aware, jo-ha-kyū, mono no aware, and wabi-sabi—and shows how they can deepen emotional resonance in your writing. A guide to using cultural concepts to enrich storytelling, create atmosphere, and enhance character expression.
Name that Song…Just Don’t Use the Lyrics
Quoting song lyrics in your novel? Think again. This blog post explores the legal risks and creative alternatives for referencing music in fiction, including fair use exceptions and ways to work around copyright law without crossing any lines.
The Writer’s Playbook | A Ripe Kumquat
What do football fumbles and ripe kumquats have in common? Similes. This playful behind-the-scenes story from the Detroit Lions' radio booth morphs into a smart, engaging guide on writing vivid, effective similes in fiction—when to use them, how they work, and how not to kill your story with a clunky comparison.
Show Don’t Tell
“Show, don’t tell” is one of the most powerful tools in a writer’s toolkit. Learn how to paint vivid scenes that draw readers in and avoid the pitfalls of flat, uninspired prose.
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