The importance of the narrative climax in storytelling Ever set off a firework and instead of soaring majestically into the air and exploding into all the colours of the rainbow it just kind of… fizzles? I mean… no, neither have I. I’m actually scared of fireworks. But I’m imagining it, and I bet you can […]
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How much backstory is too much? You may have heard it said that prologues are falling out of favour in the publishing industry. Like just about every rumour of its kind (“Publishers and agents are fed up with first-person present-tense narratives!” or “Young Adult dystopian fiction is on its way out…”) this one isn’t really
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How to make sure your protagonist’s character arc is doing what it needs to do When writing your story, one of the most crucial elements is your protagonist’s character arc. Readers want to see growth, transformation, and evolution—it’s part of what turns a series of interconnected events into a narrative. So… how do you make
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How to find your author voice When I start working with a new class, I get them to do an exercise in our first session. It’s a deceptively simple writing task: I ask them to describe, in no more than two or three sentences, the room that we’re sitting in. I use this exercise to
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Want to sharpen your writing? Discover tips to edit your novel or short story for clear, engaging storytelling. Eliminate the fluff and make your words shine!
Cutting the Fluff: The Art of Ruthless Editing Read More »
Not sure if a professional editor or beta reader is right for you? Learn how to decide so you get the feedback you need to make your manuscript shine.
Beta reader or professional editor: which is right for your manuscript? Read More »
Learn how to craft compelling narratives and master pacing strategies that will keep your readers engaged from start to finish.
How to Keep Readers Engaged: Best Practices for Building Tension in Stories Read More »
Scrivener vs. Plottr: How to choose the right novel writing software for your process Are you wrestling with which novel writing software to choose? I’ve been a professional author for more than 20 years, and I have some thoughts… You’re probably familiar with the buzz around Scrivener and Plottr. (Others are available, but these are
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How to Find and Fix Plot Holes (Before they derail your story) Much like the Spanish Inquisition, nobody expects a plot hole. They’re sneaky like that. There you are, happily crafting away at your story, and all of a sudden it hits you: this part of your narrative… just doesn’t logically work. You’ve got yourself
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Foreshadowing: Planting Narrative Seeds for a Satisfying Payoff Foreshadowing is a powerful literary device that allows create anticipation and tension by hinting at future narrative events. By strategically planting seeds throughout a narrative, authors can build intrigue, heighten suspense, and even improve plot cohesion. All of these factors help create a satisfying payoff in your
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