Clint Johnson Writes
  • Home
  • Clint's Work
  • For Schools
    • School Visits
    • GDC Curriculum Guide
    • GDC Study Guide
    • TYCA West
    • SLCC
  • Mentoring, Editing, & Teaching
  • About Clint
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Teaching Philosophy
  • Essays
    • In the Beginning...
    • Point of View #1
    • Point of View #2
    • The Writer's Creed
    • The Long and the Short of It
    • Writing Gender
    • Narrative Archetypes
  • Contact Clint

Essays

_ As many of the questions I receive pertain to the craftsmanship of narrative and writing, I decided to dedicate this section of my web site specifically to such craft issues. I try to answer, as best I can, all questions people send me. Topics that address multiple questions I’ve gotten or particularly interest me often result in a new essay.

If you have a question on writing or narrative, please check this archive of previous essays for answers. If your question has not been answered, shoot it to me. I can’t tell you how to write, but I can tell you how I write, and sometimes people find this helpful.

            In the Beginning...: Learn my three keys to writing a powerful beginning for any story.

            Point of View #1: Thoughts on how point of view takes plot and setting and turns it into story.  Basic concepts and theory.

            Point of View #2: Multiple POVs.

            The Writer's Creed: One oath, one law, and one slogan to live by.  Special thanks to the Boy Scouts of America.

            The Long and the Short of It: Tips on how to grow that great idea into an equally great novel.

            Writing Gender: Basic concepts on gender as a force on characters and how to use gender as a narrative tool.

            Narrative Archetypes: This literary theory paper addresses the formative stage of my philosophy of an emotional essence to            narrative.