Great fiction doesn’t come from easy wins—it comes from impossible choices. When your protagonist is forced to pick between two equally awful options, the story stops being about “victory” and starts being about what they’re willing to lose. That’s when stakes rise, true character is revealed, and readers stay glued to the page.
Why do authors put their characters through hell? Because without conflict, there’s no story. In Confessions of a Sadistic Author, Mark explains why Jacobine, Billings, and the rest of his cast are constantly battered and bruised — and why their scars make them unforgettable.
Writing fiction should make you feel something. If you’re not laughing, crying, or at least smirking at your own words, your readers won’t either. Emotional resonance starts with the writer. From cardboard characters to scenes that don’t belong, here are five reasons your story might be falling flat—and what to do about it.
From SRP Author Mark Posey: Well, my friends, the ballots have been counted, the hanging chads examined, and unlike certain
A great antagonist isn’t a cartoon villain twirling a mustache—they’re someone who truly believes they’re right. The most compelling conflicts come when your villain’s goals clash with your hero’s in ways that feel uncomfortably relatable.
One of the perks of writing thrillers is getting to torture characters. Jacobine makes me work harder—she’s deadly, clever, and never blinks. Billings, though, is convinced he’s in control…until the floor drops. Who’s more fun to torment: the nun with a gun, or the cocky spook?
Every scene in your novel has to earn its keep. If it doesn’t shift a value, reveal character, or drive the plot forward, it’s nothing more than wallpaper—and readers don’t show up for wallpaper. Learn the three tests that will keep your story moving and your readers hooked.
Remember when back-to-school meant fresh pencils, leaky lunchbox thermoses, and polyester outfits instead of Chromebooks and checkout lines? In the 1970s, September was pure chaos and excitement—and we wouldn’t trade it for today’s tech.
Passive voice sneaks into even the sharpest manuscripts, draining life out of your prose and leaving it limp as wet cardboard. Learn how to spot the culprits—“was eaten,” “were taken,” and those sneaky “by” phrases—and flip them into strong, active sentences that keep readers hooked.
Mark’s got three thrilling projects fighting for attention in his brain—another Jacobine adventure, a high-octane Billings sequel, or a brand-new season of Credible Threat. He’s throwing the decision to readers: which story should he dive into next?
