Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Calculus of a Great Sentence

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Eric Rampson

I HATE the idea that there is some formula that will yield a great story. Sure, there are blueprints out there that will allow you to make a story. And, depending on your talent with the actual language, it may even … Continue reading →

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Where Are Your Feet Planted?

Posted on September 1, 2017 by Eric Rampson

I once got into a fairly heated argument with my friend David (well, we’ve had many heated arguments, if I’m being honest). We were on the crowded porch of the dorm during one of our Residencies for grad school, so … Continue reading →

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Boredom Is Part of the Process

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Eric Rampson

A friend recently posted a question to the Facebook group dedicated to our MFA program. She was looking for guidance in the face of 20 or so unfinished stories, for advice on how to get herself to finally finish them. … Continue reading →

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Genre: A Screed (Or “You Got Superheroes in My Cancer Memoir!”)

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Eric Rampson

Genre, man. What a total fucking bummer. And I’m not talking about Sci-Fi, Horror, Romance, Mystery. I’m not even talking about those hybrid mofos, super-intense-niche-genres like High Sci-Fantasy Alt History, where TechnoMage Winston Churchill battles Scion of Cthulhu Adolf Hitler. (Note … Continue reading →

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Why? (or Some Thoughts on Rhetorical Questions in Fiction)

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Eric Rampson

In manuscripts that I’ve been reading recently—workshop pieces, early drafts from friends, etc.—I’ve been noticing a LOT of rhetorical questions in the narration. Things like, “What would my sister think of me?” or “What could I possibly do?” Now, sometimes … Continue reading →

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Sentences I Love #2

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Eric Rampson

There are sentences I read that stop my heart. Used to be that’s as far as I got: “Damn, that’s a great sentence. Come on heart, get moving.” Since I’ve been studying writing, which means also practicing the art/skill of … Continue reading →

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