Many authors enjoy writing in first person point of view, and for some, it can be easier to write this way. Some authors, on the other hand, prefer to write solely in third person, and some even prefer omnipotent point of view. While there is no right or wrong answer, writing your story in first …
You’re at this site, reading this article, because you’re a writer. Whether or not you’ve had your writing published isn’t important. What is important is that you continue to write. Being disciplined to write regularly, particularly when you’re not in the mood, is hard. It can be easier to crawl back into bed or binge-watch …
As writers, we always hear that familiar old adage: Write what you know. Most often, we take this to mean that we should write about our own lives. Many well-known books have been based on the life of the author. But does this make it a novel, or an autobiography? Similarly, many authors claim that …
The core of a great story comes with a set of compelling characters. While the protagonist will always have the limelight, secondary characters are as important. These range from sidekicks, best friends, a love interest, or an enemy. All with the purpose of helping build up your main character. A good mixture of these characters allows your readers to …
Perhaps Ernest Hemingway was being dramatic when he said ‘There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at the typewriter and bleed.’ But writing a novel is a momentous undertaking that will challenge your imagination, your will, and, yes, even your sanity. Many writers find themselves filled with ideas for stories demanding …
When you’re writing a novel – especially if it’s your first – it can be easy to second-guess yourself. A lot of us look for a blueprint to follow so that the book we write is the best version of itself. One of the questions that first comes up in this process is ‘What kind …
Is It Okay To Use Google Docs For Writing A Novel? Read More »
There are millions of things going on these days that divert our attention from what matters. Scrambling to reply to that email… Hitting ‘play’ on the next episode of your latest binge watch… It’s no surprise that our attention spans have shortened to compensate as we’ve grown accustomed to juggling various tasks at once. This …
You’ve done it! You completed your first novel. Congrats! But now what do you do? Eat an entire pizza? Dance in your living room? Do whatever you please. You deserve it. But, what if you decide, mid-dance, that you’ve not had enough of this story yet? What if you believe there is still a story …
Every character has thoughts, opinions and a past that has shaped them into who they are. Character development is the process of creating this persona, then changing and adapting it in correlation to the events of a story. As readers we get to know and understand characters, watching them deal with a multitude of situations. …
What Are Some Good Examples Of Character Development In Literature? Read More »
Any great story involves a cast of varied characters who each play an integral role. But ‘minor’ characters are an often overlooked element of storytelling. Many prospective writers position secondary characters in the proverbial trunk of the narrative vehicle, merely an afterthought to the key protagonists. Some may believe that if characters aren’t integral to the plot, …
The best way to learn how to write fiction is to read a lot of fiction. I hear this advice over and over again, and I wholeheartedly agree. Sometimes, though, when you’re after a bit of extra guidance, it can be helpful to have some explicit advice on hand. Though there can be some alarming …
Asking ‘How many drafts should you write for a novel?’ is kind of like asking ‘How long is a piece of string?’. Every writer has a process that works for them. Some swear by three drafts; others proclaim 10 to be the magic number. But the truth is, there is no ‘magic number’. As you …
Maybe you’re writing your author bio or a blog post, or maybe you need to refer to a book in your own story. But when it comes to typing in that book title, you find yourself hovering between the italics and underline buttons, unsure which to choose. In most cases, there’s a straightforward answer to …
Plot versus character. Two heavyweight wrestlers stepping into the ring. The question on many writers’ lips is: who will win? It’s a common conundrum, with many writers wondering where they should place their focus as they start out with their first stories. We can all think of examples where the plot led the way or …
Is Plot Development More Important Than Character Development? Read More »
The first two answers that leapt to my mind when I saw the question ‘How long does it take to write a novel?’ were: As long as it takes; and How long is a piece of string? Okay, I’ve written 13 books, and have been blessed to have published them all. But if I were …
There are many great ways to start a story. Depending on the genre, you might begin mysteriously and gradually build to a climax. Or you might start with an image or description to orient the reader in the story’s setting. Whatever you choose, it needs to engage your reader immediately and encourage them to keep …
15 Awesome Ideas To Get Your Story Started (With Examples) Read More »
Establishing an online presence as a budding author can be a daunting process, especially if you’re still trying to pick a platform. While indie authors primarily build their readership by promoting through their personal website and social media, linking up with a storytelling community could bring you a whole new audience. Since launching in 2007, …
How To Establish Yourself On Wattpad In 6 Easy Steps Read More »
As familiar as we may be with the health benefits of exercise, it’s often one of the first things we time-poor writers sacrifice in order to work on our craft. I know I do, anyway. But in addition to the well-documented physical gains associated with a regular sweat-sesh, exercise has also been proven to increase …
Flash fiction has become increasingly popular in recent years. You’ve probably noticed a plethora of websites and online publications dedicated entirely to flash fiction or microfiction, and perhaps even call-outs in your own inbox from publishers after a bit of drabble. The popularity of this form is a result of the digital age we’re living …
The Ultimate Guide To Flash Fiction (And How To Write Your Own) Read More »
While writers the world over struggle to craft truly original stories, theorists spend their time identifying ways in which they are actually all the same. Joseph Campbell famously reduced the number of stories to just one: The Hero’s Journey, as outlined in his influential 1949 work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. In more recent …
6 Plot Alternatives To ‘The Quest’ In Fantasy Fiction Read More »