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How To Write Realistic Settings

7 Tips On How To Write Realistic Settings

There’s no doubt that setting is a fundamental aspect of all kinds of writing. A solid setting can improve the quality of a story immensely, while a poorly developed setting can instantly turn readers away. But knowing how important a good setting

5 Things Writers Can Learn From Reading Fairy Tales

5 Things Writers Can Learn From Reading Fairy Tales

The simple structure, clear elements, and unadorned style of fairy tales are something all writers can learn from. After all, fairy tales have passed the test of time. They engage readers (or listeners) exactly because their simplicity makes for dynamic

Ultimate Guide: How To Work With Beta Readers

So you’ve finished writing, rewriting and self-editing your novel. It should be ready for professional editing, self-publishing or querying now, right? Well, there’s actually one more step in the process that we suggest you add: working with beta readers. You’ve probably

Ultimate Guide: How To Identify Your Manuscript’s Target Market

Identifying your market is critical to the development and potential sale of your manuscript. An infinite number of variables shape a reader’s likes and dislikes. In order to maximise your appeal you must know who you are writing for, and how to catch their

5 Surefire Ways To Raise The Stakes Of Your Story

5 Surefire Ways To Raise The Stakes Of Your Story

Every story must have stakes. Stakes (especially high ones) keep the plot moving, keep the characters growing and changing, and keep your readers engaged. Without high stakes, your story may feel flat, the pacing of your plot may lag, or

When (And How) To Split Your Story Into A Series

When (And How) To Split Your Story Into A Series

You’ve been working away at your novel, lovingly crafting each word, and the thought occurs to you: should I split this into another book or two? Often this thought comes up when you glance at your word length, steadily increasing

6 Quick Tips For Writing Gripping Scenes

Scenes drive your story forward; without them, there would be no novel. Your scenes need to keep your reader on the edge of their seat with your plot and characters because otherwise, they won’t keep reading. Looking at your novel on a scene-by-scene basis

9 Simple Activities To Inspire Your Writing

As a writer, it’s easy to feel like you’ve completely exhausted all your ideas when you need to be creative all the time. The good news is, you can never run out of creativity! As John Steinbeck once said, “Ideas are like

Ultimate Guide: How To Write A Killer Author Bio

How often do you come to the end of a great novel, an enlightening article or an inspiring poem and immediately set out to learn more about the author? You want to know who was responsible for bringing you to tears,

4 Signs It’s Time To Quit A Writing Project

There is a romantic myth that surrounds writers. This myth is rife with infatuation, possessiveness and protectiveness: a writer is supposed to be obsessed with their work. Utterly absorbed. If their creative process stalls, or in some instances flatlines, the writer should