By Julie Artz Affiliate links below After nearly ten years working with writers, I’ve decided the only inviolable rule in writing is that a romance must have either a happily ever after (HEA) or a happy for now (HFN) ending. And yet blog posts like these are full of writing “rules.” I loved … [Read more...] about Do You Need a Prologue? Take the Test!
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Write Like a Magician: Creating the Illusion of an Unseen Character
Whenever we write a protagonist who lost someone important within their backstory, we have some heavy lifting ahead of us. That “unseen” character—a character who has died or who is simply away for one reason or another—is going to need to be developed and brought to the page somehow to deepen the … [Read more...] about Write Like a Magician: Creating the Illusion of an Unseen Character
Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Reluctant Hero
In 1959, Carl Jung first popularized the idea of archetypes—"universal images that have existed since the remotest times." He posited that every person is a blend of these 12 basic personalities. Ever since then, authors have been applying this idea to fictional characters, combining the different … [Read more...] about Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Reluctant Hero
Phenomenal First Pages Contest – Guest Editor Edition
Hey, wonderfulwriterly people! It’s time for Phenomenal First Pages, our monthly critique contest. So, if you need help with the beginning of your novel, today's the day to enter for a chance to win professional feedback. This contest is closed. Please try again next month. If you’d like to … [Read more...] about Phenomenal First Pages Contest – Guest Editor Edition
The Secret To a Compelling Author Bio
Goodbye to Boring Bios Are you struggling to write the perfect author bio for your book, social media or website? Then this post is for you! Say goodbye to boring bios and hello to a profile that truly reflects who you are as a writer. Let's dive in and unlock the power of an unforgettable … [Read more...] about The Secret To a Compelling Author Bio
Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Adrenaline Junkie
In 1959, Carl Jung first popularized the idea of archetypes—"universal images that have existed since the remotest times." He posited that every person is a blend of these 12 basic personalities. Ever since then, authors have been applying this idea to fictional characters, combining the different … [Read more...] about Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Adrenaline Junkie
The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus (May 2024 Release)
We're adding to our Thesaurus family! It's been a while since our last book as we needed to recalibrate our release schedule from fall to spring (resulting in a year gap), but now we're back in the thesaurus-making saddle. May 13th is coming fast, so it's time to dish some details about our … [Read more...] about The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus (May 2024 Release)
Continuing a Series: Is This Info Too Repetitive?
We’ve probably seen advice warning that any time our story revisits information, we risk the idea feeling repetitive or redundant to readers if we’re not careful. Not surprisingly, the same risk can apply even across books in a series. Yet when we write a book series, we usually need to repeat … [Read more...] about Continuing a Series: Is This Info Too Repetitive?
Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Matriarch
In 1959, Carl Jung first popularized the idea of archetypes—"universal images that have existed since the remotest times." He posited that every person is a blend of these 12 basic personalities. Ever since then, authors have been applying this idea to fictional characters, combining the different … [Read more...] about Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Matriarch
8 Steps from Amateur to Pro Writer
Every author starts out as a hobbyist. We write as kids, for fun. As we get older, we write when we have free time or the fit takes us. For many, that’s as far as it goes, and there’s value in that. But for others, over time, our writing passion grows. Chances are, if you’re reading this blog, … [Read more...] about 8 Steps from Amateur to Pro Writer
Breathing Life into Characters
Picture a protagonist who stumbles upon a mysterious artifact but shows no curiosity, or a group of friends who sit down separately at the summit of a hike under a breathtaking sunset, without a moment of communal awe. Keeping your characters engaged with the story keeps readers engaged with it, … [Read more...] about Breathing Life into Characters
Don’t Make These 10 Self-Publishing Mistakes – Part 2
By Sarah Kolb-Williams In part one, we looked at a few production mistakes new authors can make. Today, we’ll focus on mistakes to avoid while finalizing your files and publishing your book. 6. Skipping the Ebook If you love holding printed books, you might assume your readers feel the same … [Read more...] about Don’t Make These 10 Self-Publishing Mistakes – Part 2