What’s the 3-Act Structure And How Can It Help with Plotting a Novel or Short Story? The 3-act structure is a foundational storytelling framework that’s been used for centuries across various mediums, including literature, theatre, and film. This structure provides a clear roadmap for writers, helping them to organize their thoughts, develop character arcs, and […]
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The importance of stakes How to raise the tension in your plot Tension is the lifeblood of storytelling. Keeping your readers on the edge of their seats, doling out just enough information to keep them guessing, is how you get them engaged and eagerly turning the page to find out more. One of the most
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The 6 Best Books to Help You Write Your Novel So. It’s time to start writing the novel that’s been in your head for as long as you can remember. But you’ve never written a book before. And you could do with some help getting started. Luckily, there’s no shortage of guides available, all with
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Essential tips and techniques for authors looking to create an engaging opening that hooks readers and sets the tone for their narrative.
Crafting a captivating beginning for your story Read More »
From Belfast to the Beyond: Narnia, Westeros, and the Northern Irish science fiction scene As a Belfast writer, born and bred, I’m proud to be part of the rich tradition of speculative fiction in Northern Ireland.And if you’re thinking, “Northern Ireland has a rich tradition of speculative fiction…?” don’t worry – you’re not alone. We
A story’s title is its identity. This blog looks at how to craft a compelling title that demands attention and hooks readers from the start.
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5 ways fanfiction can make you a better writer Remember that kerfuffle on Twitter a few years back? Where someone tweeted about how fanfiction makes writers worse at writing* and basically the entire #writingcommunity blew up her mentions with tales of exactly why that wasn’t true? I was still on the bird site in those
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Has your writing hit a brick wall? Break free from writer’s block by understanding the 3 main causes – and how to overcome them.
The three things that get in the way of writing progress (and what to do about them) Read More »
Writers block when your novel is nearly finished: What it is, why it happens, and how to fix it It’s like the marathon of the middle, except at the end of the process So, you’ve almost finished writing your novel. You’ve won out over the most common writing difficulties that get in the way of putting words
How to find a writing mentor, what a writing mentor does, and alternatives to consider if a writing mentorship isn’t right for you.
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