Escalation is an important element of story structure. The opening pages are often quiet as key players are introduced, the setting is established, and readers are given a glimpse of what's wrong in the protagonist's world. The catalyst then provides a choice, where the hero leaves their ordinary … [Read more...] about Tips for Writing a Successful Story Climax
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Halloween for Adults: $2.99 Thesaurus Writing Guides
Halloween is here! We're sure you have the candy thing under control, so we wanted to let you know that today & tomorrow, you can also stuff your digital bookshelf with some writerly deals! (Affiliate links - thanks for keeping our lights on around here) For two days only, you can … [Read more...] about Halloween for Adults: $2.99 Thesaurus Writing Guides
NaNoWriMo: Top Tips for Smashing Out 50K
The iconic NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) challenge has many of you rolling up your sleeves to pound out a novel. Becca and I love this event because it is a great time to become explore deep level ideas, experiment, and show ourselves we are absolutely capable of putting a novel-length … [Read more...] about NaNoWriMo: Top Tips for Smashing Out 50K
How to Create a Fun Freebie Your Newsletter Subscribers Can’t Resist
You need to build your email list. Everyone says so. It’s the best way to grow a loyal readership. Simply lure people to your website and then encourage them to sign up for your enewsletter. So you’ve got your website and you’ve got your newsletter sign-up, but not much is happening. Maybe you … [Read more...] about How to Create a Fun Freebie Your Newsletter Subscribers Can’t Resist
Why “But” is a Powerful Writing Tool
Boredom is a common reason why a reader DNFs a book. Genre is irrelevant. If the reader isn’t engaged with the storyline, they will set aside your book for another that will draw them in. A but means a complication, an obstacle the main character(s) must overcome. If the main character achieves … [Read more...] about Why “But” is a Powerful Writing Tool
Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Bossy Britches
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: Bossy Britches
Phenomenal First Pages Contest – Guest Editor Book Blurb Edition
Hey, wonderful writerly people! It’s time for our monthly critique contest. This month, we have a unique contest: 10 winners will receive feedback on their book blurb from a professional editor! This contest is closed. Please try again next month. If you’d like to be notified when the next one … [Read more...] about Phenomenal First Pages Contest – Guest Editor Book Blurb Edition
Three Ways to Make Readers Care About Secondary Characters
A common mistake I see in client manuscripts is a cast of secondary characters that simply exist to help or to outright block the protagonist. They’re either ready, willing, and able to drop everything to help that protagonist reach their own goal. Or they’re a character who is out to make the … [Read more...] about Three Ways to Make Readers Care About Secondary Characters
Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Antihero
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: Antihero
How to Craft a Top-Notch Blurb
By Erica Converso This post contains affiliate links Your book is unique – unlike any other in the world. But the structure of a well-crafted blurb will not – and should not – be. A blurb is the copy on the back cover of a book or the sales webpage, explaining what the book is about, usually … [Read more...] about How to Craft a Top-Notch Blurb
Writing Flawed Characters Who Don’t Turn Readers Off
No one in the real world is perfect, and so characters shouldn't be either. To seem as real as you or me, they should have flaws and strengths, and these sides of their personality should line up with who they are, how they were raised, and reflect the experiences they've had to date, good and bad. … [Read more...] about Writing Flawed Characters Who Don’t Turn Readers Off
How to Create Mood Effectively in Your Fiction
By C. S. Lakin Every person or character, at any given time, is in a particular mood. Generally, mood is a person’s state of mind, but it’s more than that. Mood can also describe the disposition of a collective of people, a certain time in history, or the ether of a place. Regardless of what … [Read more...] about How to Create Mood Effectively in Your Fiction