Writing tips
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Crafting Unforgettable Characters: A Guide for Authors
In storytelling, unforgettable characters are the heartbeat of every narrative. They breathe life into the worlds we authors create, drive the plot forward, and forge connections with readers. Crafting memorable characters is an…
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Diving into Themes: A Fun Guide for Authors and Readers
Hey there, fellow authors and readers! Let’s talk about something that makes stories pop: themes! Yep, those messages hiding behind characters and plot twists. Whether you’re an author crafting your next novel or…
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How to choose your premise and concept when writing your novel
When you write, you want every part of your story to fit seamlessly. As readers, we notice when that doesn’t happen. At the heart of this lies the pivotal decision of selecting a…
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Crafting Compelling Character Arcs: The Heart of Fiction Writing
When you read a book, do you want the characters to change, grow, learn new things? Or do you expect them to remain the same? The same is true if you write a…
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Defining your genre and audience as a writer
In my checklist – 10 steps to plan your novel – the first step is to define your genre and audience. If you’re anything like me, that was NOT the first thing I…
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How to use the Save the Cat Beat Sheet
Do you know how to use the Save the Cat Beat Sheet? It’s a novel-writing template popularized by Blake Snyder in his book “Save the Cat!” I use it for every book I…
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Why writers use animals in books
I love reading books that have animals in them. Do you? When I write, I also use animals in books. I use them for humor and to show love, plus I think animals…
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Top 10 Books Writers Need
Writing is a solitary life. It’s not easy, but I find it lots of fun. One thing all writers need are great books to help them with plotting, editing, finding the right words…
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My ultimate writing goals
My ultimate writing goals were to be traditionally published and write tons of books. I never dreamed about being rich – I just wanted to write. Then I started writing. The first thing…
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World-building – why every author must use it in their novels
I’m part of a critique group composed mostly of fantasy/sci-fi writers. They talk a lot about world-building, and at first I didn’t know what they meant. But over time, I’ve realized all writers…