by Renee Seledotis Ernest Hemingway’s “Iceberg Theory” states that the deeper meaning of a story should shine through implicitly. Like an iceberg, the surface of the story, what is revealed to the reader, should be barely anything compared to what lies beneath. The more the author knows about the story, the fuller and richer it … Continue reading Hemingway’s Iceberg Theory: A Tool for Detail
Category: writing
Creating Art from the Ugly: Finding Motivation to Write in Quarantine
by Caitlyn Ulery When we were first asked to quarantine ourselves back in March, I believed it was a blessing. With my classes and my job moving fully online, surely I would have infinite free time to devote to writing! I had grand intentions of writing daily, of creating at least one noteworthy poem a … Continue reading Creating Art from the Ugly: Finding Motivation to Write in Quarantine
The Power of Journaling
by Caitlin Sinz Writing for me has always been an outlet to express myself, creatively or just getting emotions out on a page. I have been writing something since about the age of twelve. I think back then I used it to escape from my own thoughts and dive deep into a creative realm where … Continue reading The Power of Journaling
Characters and Characterization
Let’s talk character! Two quotes attributed to F. Scott Fitzgerald are “Character is plot, plot is character” and “Action is character.” Sure, we can’t all create Gatsby in the context of Gatsby, but that’s not the point or the objective. The objective is to create a character that flows within the context of whatever story … Continue reading Characters and Characterization
On Being a Writer Who Doesn’t Write: Yes, It Is My Fault, And Here’s What I Can Do About It
Writers who don’t read or write aren't uncommon. You find them in the overworked, under- caffeinated college student, in the exhausted stay-at-home mom. You’ll even find one in me, an editor for a college literary magazine. Writers who don’t read or write are perfectly common.
How To, and Why You Should, Write About Terminal Illness
One of the most beautiful features of fiction is that it can speak to experience. A well written piece on terminal illness can positively impact readers.
2018-2019 Hajja Razia Sharif Sheikh Prizes in Nonfiction and Poetry
Cash awards to be given to the best piece in each genre that addresses the experience of being Muslim in America.
What Is Good Writing?
Recently, the editors of the Oakland Arts Review sat down and we discussed what good writing meant, to us at least. So, what is good writing? I’m not going to sit here and pretend to know what the answer to that questions is because I think it varies from person to person. What I think … Continue reading What Is Good Writing?
Age, As a Delimiter
Age is a funny thing. It is something that many people don’t think about until they begin to feel it, either physically or metaphysically. Getting ready for bed a few nights ago, I said to my husband, “I’m writing a blog.” He says, “Oh yeah?” I say “Yeah, and it’ll be posted to the magazine’s … Continue reading Age, As a Delimiter
Using University Writing Centers as a Creative Writer
Many writers go to university writing centers for help with academic writing, such as essays and assignments for classes, but what about creative writing? Writing centers, like the Oakland University Writing Center (OUWC), provide an invaluable resource to writers looking to improve their ability and their papers; however, many writers may not consider that the … Continue reading Using University Writing Centers as a Creative Writer
Oakland Arts Review 