the blog
free writing craft, process, and mindset articles
The Magic of Character Arcs
We've all heard about "character arcs." We know they're important. We know they have to do with a character's journey through the story. But what [...]
Getting to the Heart of Your Cast With Character Interviews
This post was written by our friend Lewis Jorstad, an author and developmental editor [...]
Create Killer Character Goals
Imagine reading a story where the protagonist doesn’t want anything, doesn’t care about [...]
The Magic of Character Arcs
We've all heard about "character arcs." We know they're important. We know they have [...]
Getting to the Heart of Your Cast With Character Interviews
This post was written by our friend Lewis Jorstad, an author and developmental editor [...]
Create Killer Character Goals
Imagine reading a story where the protagonist doesn’t want anything, doesn’t care about [...]
How to Pick the Perfect Protagonist
Stories are about change—specifically, they are about how characters change. Characters are the heart and [...]
Start Your Story Strong
You likely have an idea of what your story is about and what will happen to your characters—a young woman embarks on a quest to save [...]
How to Write Act Breaks
Readers are most intrigued by characters that make choices. We’re less interested in what happens [...]
How to Nail Your First and Last Scenes
So many writers obsess over the very first line of their story. If I [...]
How to Write Act Breaks
Readers are most intrigued by characters that make choices. We’re less interested in what happens [...]
How to Nail Your First and Last Scenes
So many writers obsess over the very first line of their story. If I [...]
How to Shape a Character Arc Using Pivot Points
Stories are about journeys of change. Readers want to see how your flawed main character [...]
How Plot + Character Intersect
As readers, we’re engaged in a story’s plot because we know what the main character [...]
WRITING ON THE PAGE
How to make readers FEEL something
As writers, we yearn for our readers to feel while reading our words. We want to move them to happiness, sadness, anger, and everything in [...]
How to Put Readers in Your Character’s Skin
Readers want to feel what characters feel. In fact, brain science tells us that what [...]
5 Tricks to Write Great Dialogue
Good dialogue often goes unnoticed. When it’s crafted well, a story continues [...]
How to Put Readers in Your Character’s Skin
Readers want to feel what characters feel. In fact, brain science tells us that what [...]
5 Tricks to Write Great Dialogue
Good dialogue often goes unnoticed. When it’s crafted well, a story continues [...]
How to Write Powerful Descriptions
When we lose ourselves in novels, it’s as much due to the [...]
How to Write Backstory
This post/page contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission for purchases made through [...]
MINDSET
Trusting Your Gut Instinct
As writers, we have to make choices constantly. From the big picture planning of what to include in a plot or character arc, to the pacing [...]
Overcoming Perfectionism
We’re told that perfectionism is a good thing. We’re told it’s a trait to brag [...]
Healing From Burnout
Burnout sucks. It’s an unrelenting exhaustion that has you feeling completely zapped of energy. Your [...]
Overcoming Perfectionism
We’re told that perfectionism is a good thing. We’re told it’s a trait to brag [...]
Healing From Burnout
Burnout sucks. It’s an unrelenting exhaustion that has you feeling completely zapped of energy. Your [...]
Toxic positivity in your writing life
Toxic positivity is crippling your writing life. There's a belief becoming more pervasive in [...]
You Don’t Need an MFA to Write a Great Book
You want to tell an amazing story, one that grips the hearts of your readers. [...]
WRITING LIFE
Trusting Your Gut Instinct
As writers, we have to make choices constantly. From the big picture planning of what to include in a plot or character arc, to the pacing [...]
Overcoming Perfectionism
We’re told that perfectionism is a good thing. We’re told it’s a trait to brag [...]
Healing From Burnout
Burnout sucks. It’s an unrelenting exhaustion that has you feeling completely zapped of energy. Your [...]
Overcoming Perfectionism
We’re told that perfectionism is a good thing. We’re told it’s a trait to brag [...]
Healing From Burnout
Burnout sucks. It’s an unrelenting exhaustion that has you feeling completely zapped of energy. Your [...]
Feedback should NEVER feel like this
You did it. You sent pages off to your writing group or critique partner [...]
6 Tips for NaNoWriMo Success
It’s almost November which means it’s almost time for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo or [...]
