novel writing – Writer's Edit

Does A Story Always Have To Have A Protagonist And An Antagonist?

Creating captivating and enticing characters can be one of the most challenging aspects of creative writing. Not only do you have to consider their individual traits, but also their place and purpose in the narrative. Typically, stories within the popular sphere tend to feature a back-and-forth between one or more protagonists and an opposing antagonist. …

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Can A Story Have More Than One Main Character?

When you think of a novel, you might imagine only one main character leading the way. While this may be the typical way to tell a story, it doesn’t mean it’s the only way to do it. Maybe you have a brilliant idea for a multiple-major-character story you’re just dying to tell, but you’re not …

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What’s The Difference Between A Scene And A Chapter?

The first piece of advice I received on this topic was from my Screenwriting 101 teacher. He taught that scenes are camera cuts where the setting or time changes, and chapters are like sections of a TV episode that end with ad breaks. In book terms, a scene is an important point in your story …

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Should A Novel Be Double-Spaced?

If you’re in the process of formatting your novel for submission to a publisher or editor, or in preparation for self-publication, you might be stuck on the spacing. To double-space or single-space – that is the question! Chances are, publishers will toss a manuscript that doesn’t follow their preferred formatting. Don’t risk it! The wrong …

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11 Top Tips For Smashing It During NaNoWriMo

National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, encourages writers to pen 50,000 words in 30 days. It’s a challenging task, but one that people all around the world complete each year. Winning doesn’t result in a physical prize, but it will give you a great sense of accomplishment (and bragging rights, of course). NaNoWriMo can be …

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The Pros And Cons Of Plotting And Pantsing

Getting started on a novel can be the hardest step. Writers the world over have often debated the best way to embark on a new literary endeavour. The novel-writing process tends to follow one of two patterns: plotting or pantsing. For those unfamiliar with these terms, a ‘plotter’ is a writer who follows a strict …

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Should My Novel Have a Prologue?

In a novel, the prologue – a section preceding your first chapter – is a powerful literary tool. When utilised correctly, a prologue can elevate your novel to the next level. Fiction or non-fiction, crime or fantasy, a prologue sets the tone for the reader from the very outset. The blank-canvas nature of this opening …

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Should My Novel Have An Epilogue?

Appearing at the very end of a novel, an effective epilogue can leave a lasting impression on your audience. Written in similar fashion to the prologue, this short section is situated directly after the final chapter. Writers typically employ an epilogue for a variety of reasons, ranging from a narrative resolution to a detour or …

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Can A Novel Be A True Story?

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 …

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7 Steps To Plan & Organise Your First Draft

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 …

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Is It Okay To Use Google Docs For Writing A Novel?

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 …

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How To Write A Killer First Page For Your Novel

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 …

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What Are Some Good Examples Of Character Development In Literature?

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. …

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How To Make Minor Characters Matter

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, …

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23 Best Books For Learning To Write Fiction

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 …

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How Many Drafts Should You Write For A Novel?

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 …

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Is Plot Development More Important Than Character Development?

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 …

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How Long Does It Take To Write A Novel?

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 …

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15 Awesome Ideas To Get Your Story Started (With Examples)

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 …

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5 Must-Have Tools To Get You Through The Editing Process

Anyone who’s about to begin the process of editing their book is bound to feel intimidated. From plot considerations to mistakes you’ll want to avoid, editing a manuscript is a complicated journey that requires immense effort and attention to detail. But that doesn’t mean it has to be anxiety-inducing – especially if you have the …

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