In order for a narrative to work, the primary character should have a concrete desire - a need that drives her story - and the story's writer should make this goal known to the reader pretty early in the narrative. Darin Strauss characterconcretedesire share on social
My knowledge of trains - and love before first sight, love at negative-one sight - comes from Alfred Hitchcock. Darin Strauss alfredhitchcockknowledge Change image and share on social
I thought, 'I'll come back to New York. I worked for the 'Aspen Times' when I lived in Aspen. I'll work for the 'New York Times' when I live in New York.' It didn't work out that way. Darin Strauss aspenbacklive Change image and share on social
I consider myself a Jewish writer - even if my characters frequently are not Jewish - in the same way, I guess, that I consider myself a Jewish man, even though I don't often attend shul. Darin Strauss attendcharacterfrequently Change image and share on social
The main thing is to think strategically about what will engage your readers. Trust me when I tell you that few people are eager to read a story whose opening lines sound like a dissertation on giant bugs. Darin Strauss bugdissertationeager share on social
I'm no fan of jam bands. You can take your Gov't Mule, your Phish, your Rusted Root. But Derek Trucks is a special musician - perhaps the greatest slide guitarist who ever lived. Darin Strauss bandderekfan Change image and share on social
A subplot is a distinguishing characteristic of the novel; the short story, for example, does not need subplots. Darin Strauss characteristicdistinguishshort Change image and share on social
In each scene, the writer sets up a situation, which brings a conflict as well as either a small victory or a loss at the close of that particular scene. Darin Strauss bringcloseconflict Change image and share on social
It's a very performative thing, grief. As with so much in modern life, I think there's a whole performative layer to what we do because we feel like there's a private TV show viewing our lives. Darin Strauss feelgrieflayer Change image and share on social
