Barrie Davenport

Writing With Irony: 15 Examples Of Irony In Literature

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examples of irony in literature

People throw around the word “irony” a lot, but its exact definition eludes many.

In their seminal work, The King’s English, the Fowler brothers (aka, the GOATS of grammar) define irony as something in which “the surface meaning and the underlying meaning of what is said are not the same.” 

As a literary skill, irony adds tantalizing dimensions to plots and characters. Moreover, using it makes for clever and engaging writing. 

So today, we’re examining the nuts and bolts of irony and how to incorporate it into your work.

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The Difference Between Empathy vs. Sympathy With Examples

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Empathy vs. Sympathy

As a writer, infusing your work with sympathy and empathy is a significant part of developing relatable characters and believable situations. 

Without them, stories are about as engaging as 60 Minutes to a 6-year-old kid.  

Both emotions are grounded in compassion, but how does empathy differ from sympathy?

In short, having sympathy for another person amounts to expressing genuinely kind sentiments in the wake of a bad event. Showing empathy for someone is an act of service, typically rooted in shared experiences or emotions.

Below, we’re dissecting both concepts through a literary lens, complete with sympathy vs. empathy examples. 

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Your Guide To Third Person Omniscient Vs. Limited Points Of View

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Third person omniscient vs limited

Every story is written using a particular point of view.

The story might be from the point of view of one or more characters, like first person or third person limited, or from a narrator’s point of view, like third person omniscient. 

It can be daunting to decide what point of view to use for a story and even harder to get it right.

The problem is that if you make a mistake and switch points of view mid-chapter or even mid-paragraph, you will knock the reader out of the story. 

You need them to suspend disbelief and become involved in the story. 

But the point of view is such an essential part of the story that readers can’t ignore it if you get it wrong.

Are you confused about point of view? we’ll talk you through limited vs. omniscient viewpoints, the pros and cons of both, and how to choose the right viewpoint for your story.

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Breaking It Down: How To Write A Good Fight Scene + Examples

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how to write a fight scene

Writing a good fight scene is one of the hardest things an author can do. 

You’ve got so much to keep track of, especially if it’s a fight between multiple, or even hundreds of, characters. 

And you’ve got to keep your eye on everything from how your characters react throughout to the rhythm and pacing of the scene.

But getting it right is highly satisfying for you as a writer and your readers.

Read on to find out what to do when writing fight scenes, including what makes a good fight scene and how long a fight scene should be.

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What Is The Difference Between A Plot-Driven and Character-Driven Story?

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character-driven vs plot-driven

Most stories tend to be predominantly either character-driven or plot-driven. 

That’s not to say that plot-driven stories ignore character-building altogether or that character-driven stories have no plot, but you’ll usually find that most stories lean one way or the other.

When it comes to choosing to write a character-driven vs. plot-driven story or vice versa, you have some things to work out before you can make your decision and get writing.

In this article, we will talk about the differences between character-driven and plot-driven stories and give you our best tips on how to write both types of stories.

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65 Best Audiobooks For A Road Trip in 2023

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hands on the steering wheel audiobooks for road trip

I don’t know about you, but I love going on road trips and listening to audiobooks.

A road trip feels like a true adventure — much more so than air travel, which involves so many tiresome steps before you even set foot on the plane.

There’s something about having the car packed, getting up early, and heading out on the open road that makes me feel giddy with excitement, just like I felt when I was a kid.

Behind the wheel, you’re in control of your destiny (and destination) in a way you can’t enjoy with other forms of travel.

A road trip is a great bonding experience for you and your significant other or family members.

You have time for deep talks, lots of laughter, and shared discovery.

For me, the smaller, off-the-beaten-path highways are preferable (rather than the interstate) even if it takes a bit longer. I’m drawn to the changing landscapes, the small towns, the farms, and quaint roadside stores.

Sometimes, though, there’s no escaping the interstate or long stretches on a lonely highway. You’re forced to take a route that offers little variety in scenery and nothing much to look at.

This is the time when you’ll be grateful you brought along an audiobook or two.

I love reading books on road trips, but reading a book is a solitary experience. You can’t share it with your fellow travelers. If you’re the driver, or if reading makes you car sick, audiobooks can make those long stretches of highway much more interesting.

Do you have a road trip planned for this year?

Why not take along some great audiobooks for your next excursion?

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15 Negative Traits For Your Book Characters With Examples

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negative traits for your book characters

Every writer wants their books to be full of characters that leap off the page, the kind of characters that readers can’t resist.  We want our books to be unputdownable, with readers waiting desperately for our next tale. One of the things we must have to make that happen is well-rounded, complex, and interesting characters.  …

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