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 …
What’s The Difference Between A Scene And A Chapter? Read More »
That and which are so similar to each other, it’s tricky to know which one to use. It’s one of those grammatical situations where we know there’s a right way to it, we just don’t know what the right way is. Fortunately, there’s a simple rule you can keep in mind when writing that can …
The English language is a complex thing, and sometimes it feels like it was made to trick people. This is the case when it comes to the difference between leaped and leapt. Both of these words mean the same thing. Sometimes this can happen: two words that are spelled and pronounced differently, and yet are essentially the …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 »
Anyone who’s studied literature, taken a writing course or joined a book club has no doubt encountered the expression ‘purple prose’. For those who haven’t, Google defines it as: “Prose that is too elaborate or ornate.” So why purple? In Ancient Rome, where the expression finds its origins, purple was the colour of the Emperor …
Every good book has a strong cast of captivating characters accompanying the reader throughout the story. Whether it’s high-action fantasy, gritty crime drama or heart-wrenching romance, characters who are realistic and relatable are integral to an interesting read. So, you’ve done your research into how to master character creation. You know you need to create …
Spoiler alert: this post contains a number of potential spoilers relating to deaths occurring in various books/movies, including A Song of Ice and Fire/Game Of Thrones, The Book Thief and The Hunger Games. Part of being a writer is facing the heart-wrenching necessity of killing our darlings. While this practice can refer to many aspects …
Let’s admit it, readers: we all love a good death scene. Whether we’re ugly-crying because we loved the character so much and OH, THE INJUSTICE, or punching the air and cheering because that villain got what they deserved… There’s nothing like a well-crafted death scene to elicit a strong reaction in a reader. But how …
We’re all aware that there are certain guidelines we’re advised follow when writing fiction. These run the gamut from the old ‘show, don’t tell’ mantra to concepts like the three-act structure and its inherent story constructs. But just how closely should we follow the established ‘rules’ of writing and storytelling? And when is it OK to break these …
World-building is one of the most important parts of fantasy writing – and one that many writers understandably find challenging. As well as things like culture, customs, language, religion and politics, world-building involves the creation of the physical world itself. This is a huge undertaking, especially for writers whose strong point is storytelling, not geography! …
5 Tips For Better Physical World-Building In Your Fantasy Novel Read More »
There are few things more magical to a writer than an idea. That initial spark of inspiration, that tiny kernel that nestles itself in your mind – slowly growing and developing, taking shape and form… There’s no doubt that ideation is one of the most exciting parts of the writing process. But for many writers, …
7 Straightforward Tips For Turning An Idea Into A Story Read More »
One of the first things you need to decide when setting out to write a story is what point of view it will be told from. This not only means deciding on the main character (or characters) you’ll be following, but also whether you’re telling their story from first or third person perspective. (A note on …
7 Essential Guidelines for Writing in First Person Read More »
One of the first questions you need to answer when beginning a novel is: ‘Whose perspective will I be writing from?’ Depending on your genre, you may choose to take the common route of telling your story from a single perspective – that of your main character. However, there is another option: writing from multiple …
6 Quick Tips For Writing Multiple Points of View Read More »
Ahh, romance. Not only is it a massively popular genre of its own, it’s also an extremely common element in countless other genres and categories – from literary fiction right through to sci-fi, fantasy and young adult fiction. However, writing romantic relationships isn’t easy. Just because it’s done often, doesn’t mean it’s always done right! If …
5 Things To Avoid When Writing Romantic Relationships Read More »
As with any other style or genre, writing YA fiction truly is an art form. There’s so much to balance: the younger characters’ perspectives, relationships and development; the language; the plot… One of the most common misconceptions about writing for young adults is that it’s easier than writing for adults. This is entirely untrue. Writing …
5 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Writing YA Fiction Read More »