“What’s It About?” — The Question That Makes Everything Easier

/ Mark Posey

Writers love to add more scenes, more twists, more explosions… but half the time the real problem is simpler: we don’t actually know what the story is about.
Once you can answer three deceptively basic questions — What’s it about? What will the protagonist learn? How will they change? — the whole book snaps into focus. Plot becomes purposeful. Scenes stop wandering. And suddenly you’re not writing 300 pages of Stuff That Happens™ — you’re writing a story with meaning.

The Quietest Moments Are the Scariest

/ Mark Posey, Thrillers

Big explosions are fun, but they’re not what makes a thriller truly terrifying. The real fear hides in the silence—the still moments when nothing’s happening, yet you know something’s about to. From No Country for Old Men to Saving Grace, Mark Posey explores why quiet scenes hit harder than gunfire—and why the pause before the door opens is the scariest sound of all.

The Box Is the Point

/ Tracy Cooper-Posey

We think hitting our goals will make us happy—but for creative work, the real joy is in the struggle. Pressure and constraints aren’t obstacles; they’re the fuel. This post explores why the box is the point, and what to do when it starts to feel too tight.

The Power of Knowing Your Character’s Arc (Before You Start Writing)

/ Mark Posey

Writing a story without understanding your main character’s arc is like driving cross-country blindfolded — you might arrive somewhere, but odds are it won’t be where you meant to go. Every protagonist travels an emotional and psychological path, changing (or refusing to change) because of the story’s events. When you understand that inner journey — and how it collides with the outer, plot-driven one — every scene gains purpose, every choice deepens meaning, and your rewrite count drops dramatically. Know your hero’s lie, the truth they need to learn, and what the story will throw at them to force that transformation. Everything else flows from there.

How to Disappear in Plain Sight (Without a Q Branch Budget)

/ Espionage, Mark Posey, Thrillers

Disappearing isn’t about vanishing—it’s about confidence. From Angelina Jolie’s cool-headed makeover in Salt to Natasha Romanoff’s mall-date sleight of hand, the best spies don’t run; they blend. In fiction, that kind of composure is thrilling to watch—and in Fall From Grace, Thomas Billings is about to need every trick in the book.

I Finally Watched Prey—And Didn’t Hate It

/ Cameron Cooper

I never thought I’d watch a Predator movie—let alone enjoy one—but Prey surprised me. With a strong female lead, solid storytelling, and just enough alien menace, it turns out brains and grit can outmatch gore and tech. If you’ve avoided the franchise like I did, this might be the one to try.

The Bigger They Are…

/ Mark Posey

A “reasonable” villain might seem believable—but it’s also the fastest way to kill tension in your story. The best antagonists aren’t fair opponents; they’re towering, terrifying forces that make the hero dig deep and evolve. From Goliath to the Borg, it’s the impossible odds that make victory unforgettable.

Back in the Trenches: Fall From Grace Begins

/ Espionage, Mark Posey, Thrillers

Back in the trenches: I’ve started writing Fall From Grace, Book 2 in the Thomas Billings thrillers. Thomas and Grace head to London for an audience with the Queen—then get yanked into Establishment crosshairs. Expect chases, betrayals, and the kind of moral gray that leaves even “good guys” guessing.

Claddagh Rings and Older Symbols

/ Tracy Cooper-Posey

The Claddagh ring may look simple — a heart, two hands, and a crown — but it carries centuries of meaning, folklore, and a touch of mystery. From pirate legends to Roman rings, here’s how one tiny piece of jewellery became a symbol of love, loyalty, and storytelling.

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