KN Magazine: Articles
Literary Alchemy: Ingredients of the Story – Conflict
In this installment of Literary Alchemy: Ingredients of the Story, Chrissy Hicks explores conflict as the driving force behind compelling fiction. From internal struggles to external battles, she breaks down how conflict shapes character, builds tension, and mirrors real life—offering practical techniques and examples to help writers craft stories that keep readers fully engaged.
Between Pen and Paper: Flaneuring Through a Writer’s Mind – The API of the Human Heart, or Why Your Characters Keep Misunderstanding Each Other
What if human communication worked like artificial intelligence? In this thought-provoking craft essay, Andi Kopek compares APIs—Application Programming Interfaces—to the invisible emotional “contracts” we use in conversation. By exploring parsing errors, emotional bandwidth, and schema mismatches, he offers writers a powerful new lens for understanding character conflict, empathy, gaslighting, and love. When characters misunderstand each other, it may not be malice—it may be incompatible formatting.
Literary Alchemy: The Ticking Clock
A ticking clock can turn an ordinary scene into a pulse-pounding race against time. In this installment of Literary Alchemy, Chrissy Hicks explores how deadlines—whether explosive, subtle, or psychological—heighten tension, sharpen character development, and eliminate the dreaded muddy middle. From 24 to The Woman in Cabin 10 and The Da Vinci Code, this craft article shows writers how urgency transforms plot momentum and emotional stakes.
What is A Thriller?
In this post, we explore the defining characteristics of a thriller, particularly psychological thrillers. From creating suspense and high stakes to delving into mind games and unreliable narrators, this genre keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Five Writing Tips No One Has Ever Told You
These five unconventional writing tips challenge the traditional advice writers often hear—offering bold insights on where to begin, how to develop plot through character, sustain tension, find your way when lost, and revise with clarity.
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