As someone who writes books, runs a website and does their own marketing and publishing, I’m often asked how I stay productive. It’s no easy feat. I have a never-ending list of things to do, and it can often feel as though there aren’t enough hours in the day. However, I do have some secret …
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Writing a single novel is a huge undertaking, so you can probably imagine the mammoth task that writing a series is… However, if you’re considering writing a fantasy series, and are willing to put the work in, then this article is for you. Here, I explore 5 of the best benefits of writing a fantasy …
We all know that crafting believable characters with strong motivations is vital in fiction writing. But how do you ensure that your characters remain compelling throughout the course of your story? The answer is simple: make sure they all have strong character arcs. Below, we’ll first discuss what exactly a character arc is. Then we’ll take a …
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Fight scenes are common across a range of genres, from action, spy and thriller novels to fantasy and sci-fi. They’re often a physical manifestation of the conflict that’s driving your story – and they’re great for keeping things exciting for readers. Whatever genre you write, knowing how to write an authentic, exciting fight scene is an …
Throughout your freelance career, especially at the start, you’ll find you experience periods of feast or famine: feast when you have more work than you know what to do with, and famine when you have little to no work at all. Today we’re here to talk about what to do in those times of ‘famine’. …
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Before you hit the ‘publish’ button on your novel, there’s one massive factor you need to consider: how to price your self-published ebook. Let’s assume that you’re relatively new to indie publishing – you might have published one or two titles previously, or this may be your first. Chances are, the idea of picking the …
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In our visual world of cinema and photography, setting often takes a back seat in novels. But even when constructed through words, visuals are a powerful story element. Whether creating a fantasy world from scratch or using the current world as your backdrop, it is important to work your setting into your story effectively. The …
The lines separating genres in fiction writing can be hard to identify. Not everyone agrees where to draw them, and as trends in genre fiction evolve, they’re constantly changing anyway. What’s more, the cross-pollination of hallmarks and themes from different genres makes boxes and boundaries even trickier to establish. As writers, it is important to …
Ultimate Guide: 9 Fiction Genres You Should Know About Read More »
Let’s start off with a fact: most (if not all) first drafts are terrible. Even Ernest Hemingway says so. There’s not really any avoiding this, not even for the most talented or experienced writer. But when you think about it, the concept of a less-than-stellar first draft is actually quite liberating. It means you’re free …
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As the launch of Heart of Mist draws nearer and nearer, a lot of my readers have been asking: how do I help you with your book release? Firstly, just asking a lovely question like that means the world to just about any author. Writing and publishing a book is a huge undertaking, and so any acknowledgement of this is …
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So you’ve created a fantastical world full of unique cultures and ideas, and a diverse cast of characters to reflect that. And to add even more depth to your characters and setting, you want to weave in different languages. As a fantasy writer, using multiple languages has probably crossed your mind. While not an absolutely essential …
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I first met our Founding Editor Helen Scheuerer a couple of years ago, when I started working for Writer’s Edit as an Editorial Assistant. Little did I know then that we’d become great friends as well as colleagues – and that I’d have the chance to become involved in the process of developing her debut …
If you’re going to be a successful freelance writer, you need to set goals. And not just any type of goals: realistic, achievable ones. But what exactly are achievable goals? And how do you go about setting and meeting them? Let’s delve into the process of goal-setting for freelance writers, why it’s so important, and how …
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Names are powerful. And naming a character is not a decision to be taken lightly. It can even be more important than a character’s carefully-crafted appearance. It helps create round characters. Good names help both writers and readers move through a story smoothly.” — Dan Schmidt But it’s no easy task to find the right name for your …
Books are often judged by their cover. And with all the work you’ve put into your story, you deserve a winning book cover – one that will pique the reader’s interest to glance at the blurb on the back, and crack open the pages. So how can you ensure your book cover draws in readers and …
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There are certain things all writers need: inspiration, creativity, dedication, some measure of talent. But there’s one thing that’s perhaps more important than all these elements combined – one thing that’s guaranteed to help you become a productive, prolific writer. And that thing is a writing routine. Every writer who wants to achieve their goals …
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Have the words ‘I’m not a real writer’ ever crossed your mind? Have you ever felt that your writing skills are inadequate, despite evidence to the contrary? Have you ever achieved success with your writing, only to think, ‘How did I get here/I don’t know what I’m doing/I don’t deserve this’? If any of the …
Impostor Syndrome: What Is It And How Can Writers Overcome It? Read More »
So you’ve finally finished that difficult first draft. Congratulations! Writing an entire novel is a massive undertaking, and you’ve done super well to make it this far. As you know, though, the hard work doesn’t end here. There’s still a lot to do before your novel is actually finished. And whether you’re self-publishing or pursuing a …
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You’ve no doubt heard of Scrivener before. Developed by Literature and Latte, this piece of novel-writing software is expansive, affordable, and extremely popular with experienced authors and beginners alike. But just why is it so popular? Do you really need yet another piece of software in your life? Will it really help you write your novel? Like …
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 beyond your expectations. Splitting or expanding your novel into a series is a big step. You …
When (And How) To Split Your Story Into A Series Read More »