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Writing Craft

The Pirate’s Guide to Writing Fantasy

February 20, 2024

The Pirate’s Guide to Writing Fantasy

February 20, 2024

Remember the scene in Pirates of the Caribbean when Captain Barbossa explains the pirate’s code? “The code is more what you’d call guidelines than actual rules.” Writing fantasy is a…

Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Father Figure

February 17, 2024

Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Father Figure

February 17, 2024

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…

Phenomenal First Pages Contest

February 15, 2024

Phenomenal First Pages Contest

February 15, 2024

Hey, wonderfulwriterly people! It’s time for Phenomenal First Pages, our monthly critique contest. So, if you need a bit of help with your first page, today’s the day to enter…

Four Must-Haves in the First Two Paragraphs of Every Chapter or Scene

February 13, 2024

Four Must-Haves in the First Two Paragraphs of Every Chapter or Scene

February 13, 2024

Begin Each Scene in Your Book with Grounding Have you ever been running late, and found yourself scrambling around your house, looking for your car keys? Where did you leave…

Character Type and Trope Thesaurus: Starving Artist

February 10, 2024

Character Type and Trope Thesaurus: Starving Artist

February 10, 2024

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…

Why Writers Should Be Their Own Valentine This Year

February 8, 2024

Why Writers Should Be Their Own Valentine This Year

February 8, 2024

Valentine’s Day is coming, and people have big feelings about it. On one hand, it’s nice to have a set day to celebrate loved ones, but on the other, pressure…

Mastering Turning Points in Relationship Plots

February 6, 2024

Mastering Turning Points in Relationship Plots

February 6, 2024

A turning point (also known as a “plot turn” or “plot point”) changes the direction of the story, through an action or a revelation. The protagonist was going one direction,…

Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Wallflower

February 3, 2024

Character Type & Trope Thesaurus: Wallflower

February 3, 2024

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…

How to Write Your First Book

February 1, 2024

How to Write Your First Book

February 1, 2024

I want to write a book. You remember when this big idea first hit, right? Maybe you were browsing for books, waiting for an author’s autograph, or sitting in awe…

What Are Your Questions about Writing & the Business Side of Being an Author?

January 30, 2024

What Are Your Questions about Writing & the Business Side of Being an Author?

January 30, 2024

Is it just me or did the month of January fly by? Seems like I was just putting away Christmas decorations and gearing up for the new year. January’s always…