Why are there so many orphans in literature?

Are orphan stories a relic of our grim past, or are orphans just a convenient plot device?

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When minor characters turn hero…

Do books have room for more than one hero? Aunt Polly, Regulus Black, and Izz Huett think so!

9 differences between bookworms and English majors

So you've been devouring books since you were five-years-old. Does that mean you're ready for your honorary pHD in English? Only if you can identify with these 9 differences between English majors and bookworms: #1 English majors read short stories. Why invest your emotions in a story that's only going to last ten pages? Because …

Who should paint Jane Eyre’s portrait?

If a picture's worth a thousand words, imagine what a picture from Vincent van Gogh or Leonardo da Vinci could tell you about your favorite book characters.

5 poems that could be full-blown novels

Keeping it short and sweet is impressive, but some poems just leave you wanting more!

How Pixar breaks hearts (and you can too)!

Turns out, there's a three step formula that Pixar uses to break hearts. Learn it, then go forth and break hearts like a pro.

If Holden Caulfield was a girl…

would he have more friends? Would Elizabeth Bennett be quite so sassy if she was a man? And what would happen to Sherlock Holmes' intellect if he belonged to "the gentle sex?"

5 Oddly Specific Writing Tips

Creative writing classes often reiterate the same lessons, but when you read, you can pick up lessons you'll never hear in a class. These are a few of the lessons I've picked up on...

Can your fictional character hobnob with Charles Darwin?

Has your favorite historical figure ever made an unexpected cameo while you were reading a historical novel? How did you react?

Trick or Treat: literature’s most delightful surprise endings

From chick lit to murder mysteries, every genre has its gems. Prepare to be surprised by my choices for the best surprise endings!