Writing

http://janefriedman.com/2011/12/12/win-a-pulitizer/

http://poewar.com/fifteen-craft-exercises-for-writers/

Techniques

Zula's Key

Through much of Reamde Zula, unknown to her captors, has the key to the lock they are counting on to keep her in place. If she's left unguarded for even a few moments, she can escape, but that doesn't happen.

Asymmetric Knowledge

Let the reader know something important that one of the characters doesn't

Parallel Narration

Setup multiple convergent plots and jump between them

Sexplanation

In the HBO show Game Of Thrones, in order to work in all the explanation from the book, they have characters do it while in bed. Leverage some form of brain candy to sweeten the necessary back-story.