239 cards
This deck introduces the foundational vocabulary of creative writing, covering the building blocks every storyteller needs to know. From characters like protagonists and antagonists to structural elements such as story arcs, plot, and the three-act structure, the cards walk you through the essential concepts that shape fiction, memoir, and other narrative forms. You'll also explore key terms like conflict, theme, genre, and point of view, giving you a shared language for talking about craft.
It's a great starting point for beginner writers, students in a literature or writing class, or anyone who wants to brush up on storytelling basics before tackling a new project. Even experienced writers can benefit from a quick refresher, since having these terms at your fingertips makes it easier to analyze stories you read and plan the ones you write.
Because the concepts build on one another, it's worth working through the deck in order the first time and then returning for regular review. Spacing your study sessions over several days, rather than cramming, will help these definitions move from short-term memory into something you can recall naturally while drafting. Try explaining a term in your own words before flipping the card, since putting the idea into your own sentence is a strong test of real understanding.
Once the vocabulary feels familiar, take it a step further by applying each concept to a story you're reading or writing. Noticing where the climax falls in a favorite novel, or identifying the inciting incident in your own draft, will deepen your grasp of the material far more than memorization alone.