5. TOP LISTS & HIDDEN GEMS

Hello, curious explorers! This is your gateway to the best of the best. From must-read books to underrated gems, this category delivers expertly curated lists to fuel your fiction writing journey.

Top 10 Alan Moore Writing Secrets That Will Set Your Creativity on Fire (And Change How You Write Forever!)

Abstract mid-century illustration of a writer summoning fiery words, inspired by Alan Moore’s writing philosophy.

Reading Time: 4 minutesGreetings, Fiction Igniters! Today, I want to share some fiery insights I’ve gathered from the legendary Alan Moore’s philosophy on writing. Moore—the bearded sorcerer behind Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell—isn’t just a writer. He’s a mystic, a magician, and a storyteller who believes that words have the power to reshape reality. His approach […]

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Top 10 Things I Learned About Writing From Anora (2024)

Stylized 50s-inspired cubist artwork of a 23-year-old woman with straight black hair, sitting in a nightclub surrounded by neon lights. The angular, high-contrast design captures the themes of passion, frustration, and creativity in storytelling, inspired by Anora.

Reading Time: 4 minutesGreetings, Fiction Igniters! So, let’s talk about Anora, the little indie film that just pulled off an everything-everywhere-all-at-once moment at the Oscars, nabbing Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing—all thanks to the powerhouse that is Sean Baker. It’s raw, it’s entertaining, it’s well-crafted… but, uh, Best Picture? Best Original Screenplay? I

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Top 10 Things I Learned About Writing From Lee Child

Bold mid-century graphic art depicting a tall, rugged figure in a burning cityscape, symbolizing Lee Child’s action-packed storytelling.

Reading Time: 3 minutesHello, Fiction Igniters! Grab your pens, pour yourself a strong cup of coffee (or maybe something stiffer if you’re channeling Reacher’s rugged spirit), and let’s talk about the storytelling wisdom of the man who brought us Jack Reacher. That’s right—Lee Child, the literary powerhouse who’s sold over 100 million books and made us all dream

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Top 10 Things I Learned About Writing From Garth Ennis

Comic book-inspired image of a writer with characters from Garth Ennis stories as muses.

Reading Time: 3 minutesHello, Fiction Igniters! Have you ever picked up a comic book and felt your jaw drop in awe at the sheer boldness of its storytelling? That’s what Garth Ennis does best—he punches you right in the storytelling gut and makes you feel every word. Whether it’s his irreverent “Preacher,” gritty “Punisher MAX,” or the utterly

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Top 10 Things I Learned About Writing From Emilia Pérez

Abstract mid-century graphic design of a fragmented film reel unraveling over a kitschy, distorted Mexico with neon-lit deserts and a faceless director tossing a script into a bonfire.

Reading Time: 7 minutesGreetings, Fiction Igniters! Gather around the bonfire, because today we’re talking about one of the most controversial movies in recent memory: Emilia Pérez. This film is getting all sorts of awards and it just received 13 Academy Award nominations (the same amount as Oppenheimer!), and is one of the frontrunners to win best picture. Yet,

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Top 10 Things I Learned About Writing From Touch Of Evil

Abstract noir-style artwork with shadowy streets, a lone figure holding a typewriter, and symbols of storytelling like a ticking clock and swirling scripts in Fiction Ignition colors

Reading Time: 3 minutesHello, Fiction Igniters! Grab your popcorn and pens because today, we’re diving into the deliciously dark and wildly innovative classic, Touch of Evil. This Orson Welles masterpiece isn’t just a cinematic marvel—it’s a masterclass in storytelling that slaps you in the face with brilliance and whispers, “Write better, you fool!” So, here are the Top

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Top 10 Things I Learned About Writing From Asterix

Asterix holding a quill with Roman helmets and parchment scrolls in a bold, graphic art style

Reading Time: 3 minutesHello, Fiction Igniters! Today, I’m taking you on a whirlwind adventure through the magical world of storytelling with a little help from a plucky Gaul and his eccentric village. That’s right—Asterix and his unforgettable escapades, masterfully written by the great René Goscinny, have taught me some invaluable lessons about writing that I’m dying to share

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Top 10 Things I Learned About Writing From Billy Wilder

Typewriter on fire surrounded by film reels and book pages in bold, mid-century art style

Reading Time: 3 minutesHello, Fiction Igniters! Ever wondered what a Hollywood genius can teach us about writing unforgettable fiction? Billy Wilder, the mastermind behind Sunset Boulevard, Double Indemnity, and Some Like It Hot, didn’t just craft movies—he wrote lessons for storytellers of all stripes. So, I thought, why not dive into the Wilder wisdom and share the top

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Top 10 Things I Learned About Writing From Mad Men

Mid-century-inspired graphic art featuring a 1960s advertising executive surrounded by cigarette smoke and creative symbols, representing writing lessons from Mad Men.

Reading Time: 3 minutesHello, Fiction Igniters! Have you ever watched a show so brilliantly written that it made you want to drop everything, pick up a pen, and craft your own masterpiece? That’s what Mad Men did for me. This isn’t just a TV series about advertising—it’s a storytelling masterclass, a crash course in character arcs, subtext, and

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Top 10 Things I Learned About Writing From Charlie Kaufman

A surreal mid-century graphic-style illustration of a labyrinth-shaped brain with characters exploring it, inspired by Charlie Kaufman.

Reading Time: 3 minutesHello, Fiction Igniters! Today, we’re diving deep into the beautifully bizarre world of Charlie Kaufman. The man behind Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Adaptation has taught me more about storytelling than any seminar ever could. So, let’s count down the top 10 things this genius has taught me about writing, from one humble

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Top 10 Things I Learned About Writing From Paris, Texas

Solitary figure walking toward a glowing neon sign that says "Paris, Texas," with a desert road stretching into the horizon at dusk.

Reading Time: 3 minutesGreetings, Fiction Igniters! Let me take you on a journey where neon-lit diners and barren deserts collide with the timeless lessons of storytelling. Yes, I’m talking about Wim Wenders’ haunting masterpiece Paris, Texas. It’s more than just a movie—it’s a masterclass in narrative craftsmanship. So, grab your pen (or your keyboard), and let’s countdown the

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Top 10 Things I Learned About Writing From David Lynch

Abstract graphic art depicting a surreal landscape with a lone figure walking toward a mysterious glowing light, surrounded by distorted, dreamlike objects in fiery hues of orange, red, and yellow.

Reading Time: 4 minutesIn Memory of a Creative Titan Hello, Fiction Igniters! Today, we’re gathered around the literary campfire with heavy hearts. David Lynch, the legendary filmmaker and creative maverick, passed away on January 15, 2024. His legacy is an eternal blaze of inspiration for artists, storytellers, and, yes, us fiction writers. From Twin Peaks to Blue Velvet,

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Top 10 Things I Learned About Writing From Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing

Thing rising from the swamp with supernatural energy, inspired by Alan Moore’s poetic horror.

Reading Time: 4 minutesHello, Fiction Igniters! Gather around, my literary pyromaniacs, because today we’re diving into the swamp—literally and figuratively. I’m talking about Alan Moore’s legendary run on Swamp Thing is considered a pinnacle of comic book storytelling, redefining the horror genre within the medium. As a bearded wizard of words and ideas, Moore took a character that

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Top 10 Things I Learned About Writing From Ozark

A shadowy figure overlooking a dark lake with chessboard reflections, inspired by Ozark.

Reading Time: 3 minutesGreetings, Fiction Igniters! Let’s light up this blog post with a deep dive into the brilliantly dark and twisty world of Ozark and the writing lessons it delivers. You know how they say inspiration can strike anywhere? Well, for me, it hit like a lightning bolt as I binged this show. Grab your coffee (or

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