It's time for our last Stocking Stuffers for Writers post, meaning we've dropped one final early holiday gift in your stocking, and all you have to do is pick it up! (This one will help you brainstorm ways to generate mood in your scenes!) But what if you've only just heard about this? Can you go … [Read more...] about Stocking Stuffers for Writers: Gift #4 Is Here!
Search Results for: conflict in every scene
Tips for Writing a Successful Story Climax
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
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
Writing About Pain: Different Types to Explore
“Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.” -The Dread Pirate Roberts Pain is an unfortunate part of life. As our characters go about their day—working, building relationships, pursuing goals and dreams, blowing off steam—things won’t always go as planned, and … [Read more...] about Writing About Pain: Different Types to Explore
Five Commonalities Between Heroes and Villains
In story terms, a villain is a person, entity, or force who is cruel, evil, or malicious enough to wish the protagonist harm. Rather than simply blocking a goal or interfering with the hero’s plan, a villain causes suffering, making it vital for them to be conquered by the protagonist. Clarice must … [Read more...] about Five Commonalities Between Heroes and Villains
After the First Draft: Revising Your Plot
Ok, writers. Raise your hand if you love revising. *crickets* Revision freaks a lot of people out because it can be overwhelming. When you start drafting, you’ve got this really clear image of what the story should be, and by the time you type “The End,” it’s hardly recognizable. It’s a mess, … [Read more...] about After the First Draft: Revising Your Plot
Do Your Characters Have Agency?
Consider, if you will, a story about a woman who wants to gain esteem by winning an important legal case. Things are going along fine until she gets fired from the firm for her unusual fact-finding practices. She ends up being forgiven and rehired, but her babysitter bails, leaving her with no one … [Read more...] about Do Your Characters Have Agency?
Overwhelmed with Revisions? Use This Roadmap to Stay On Course.
Is there a better feeling in the world than finishing a manuscript? Typing The End, gazing lovingly at the overall word count, and recognizing you’ve accomplished something that not many people can do…you’re floating on cloud nine, and all is right with the world. And then come the … [Read more...] about Overwhelmed with Revisions? Use This Roadmap to Stay On Course.
We’ve Reached the One Million Books Milestone!
Once upon a time... Two novice writers met in an online critique group called the Critique Circle and became fast friends. Angela (a Canadian) wrote about zombies and pirates and a magical bookstore that kidnapped customers. Becca (an American) wrote everything from a coming of age YA during … [Read more...] about We’ve Reached the One Million Books Milestone!
The Importance of a Great Opening in a Novel
How you start your story is super-important, which is why your novel's opening is crucial. In just a few sentences - yup, sentences, never mind pages! - you need to GRAB your reader's attention and pull them into your storyworld. But HOW do writers do this? Well, how long is a piece of string ... … [Read more...] about The Importance of a Great Opening in a Novel
Character Arcs: Making a Long Story Short
A well-structured story uses events (also called story beats) to move the narrative forward — with compelling issues, rising stakes, and an organic sense of cause and effect — toward a surprising-yet-inevitable resolution. At the same time, our story’s plot events force our characters to react, … [Read more...] about Character Arcs: Making a Long Story Short
Originalizing Your Story Idea
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about differentiation—how we can make our stories stand out from all the others. Customers are being more careful with their money, which means they’re very likely buying fewer books. With the estimated 1,000,000+ books being published each year, ours need something … [Read more...] about Originalizing Your Story Idea