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Fiction

Master parallel structure in writing to create balanced, memorable sentences and compelling story arcs. Learn grammatical parallelism and narrative techniques that captivate readers.

4 min read

Parallel Structure: The Writer's Secret to Rhythmic, Powerful Prose

Writing Team: Jun 9, 2025 3:30:55 PM

Here's a writing truth that might surprise you: readers notice bad rhythm before they notice good grammar. A sentence can be technically correct yet...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

Master the 10 critical elements every compelling story needs—from plot structure to character development. Learn how professional writers craft narratives that captivate readers from first page to last.

5 min read

Mastering the 10 Essential Elements of Storytelling

Writing Team: Jun 9, 2025 3:27:27 PM

Every writer faces the same terrifying moment: staring at a blank page, wondering how random ideas transform into stories that make readers miss...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

Master multi-genre writing with five proven techniques from bestselling authors. Learn research methods, time management, and creative flow strategies that unlock storytelling success.

4 min read

From Research to Flow: Five Proven Techniques for Multi-Genre Mastery

Writing Team: Jun 5, 2025 1:13:03 PM

Most writers struggle with one genre, clinging to familiar territory like medieval serfs bound to their feudal plots. But the most successful authors...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

Master in medias res storytelling technique to hook readers instantly. Learn how starting in the middle creates compelling openings that drive reader engagement from page one.

4 min read

Open With the Action: Mastering 'In Medias Res'

Writing Team: Jun 5, 2025 1:07:16 PM

Writers obsess over perfect beginnings, crafting elaborate world-building and character introductions like Victorian novels still ruled the literary...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

Learn essential techniques from Kafka, Steinbeck, Orwell, and other masters for crafting this powerful literary form.

7 min read

Great Novellas and How to Write Them

Writing Team: May 27, 2025 9:43:18 AM

The novella occupies literature's sweet spot—long enough to develop complex themes yet short enough to sustain perfect tension throughout. Ian McEwan...

Storytelling Writing Fiction Novels

Discover what a literary motif is, how it differs from symbols and themes, and why motifs are essential for understanding literature.

10 min read

Literary Motifs: What is a Motif in Literature?

Writing Team: May 19, 2025 4:23:45 PM

When a work of literature employs an image or idea in repetition, that image or idea might be a motif. Literary motifs describe noteworthy...

Writing Literature Fiction

Discover the essential elements of poetry, explore different approaches to the writing process, and find your unique poetic voice.

5 min read

How to Write a Poem

Writing Team: May 19, 2025 4:13:18 PM

Learning how to write a poem requires two things: a love of language, and a need for language to communicate more than it currently does. If this...

Writing Poetry Fiction

This step-by-step approach helps you develop characters, plot, and structure for a more efficient writing process.

7 min read

The Snowflake Method For Designing A Novel

Writing Team: May 19, 2025 4:09:09 PM

Writing a novel is easy. Writing a good novel is hard. That's just life. If it were easy, we'd all be writing best-selling, prize-winning fiction.

Creative Storytelling Fiction

Discover what makes a powerful story setting, with expert tips and literary examples to help you create immersive worlds that enhance your narrative and captivate readers.

4 min read

What is the Setting of a Story? Tips and Examples

Writing Team: Apr 14, 2025 4:20:06 PM

A well-crafted setting isn't merely a stage where characters perform—it's the air they breathe, the ground they walk on, the very reality that shapes...

Storytelling Fiction Narrative

Learn how to match names to genre, tone, personality, and worldbuilding—with practical advice and inspiring examples from fiction.

3 min read

6 Tips for Naming a Character

Writing Team: Apr 10, 2025 11:37:29 AM

Are you ready to create unforgettable character names?

Fiction Character Novels

Wondering how dark is too dark in fiction? Explore where to draw the line in suspense, crime, and psychological thrillers, with insights on taboo topics, complex characters, and reader expectations.

3 min read

Writing Dark Fiction - Where's the Line?

Writing Team: Apr 10, 2025 11:32:21 AM

One of the great pleasures of fiction is its power to transport us into the shadowy corners of human nature—safely. We peer into minds we wouldn’t...

Storytelling Fiction genre

Explore tips for writing satisfying story conclusions and discover famous last lines from classic, literary, and romantic fiction.

3 min read

How to End a Book: Writing Memorable Final Lines and Moments

Writing Team: Apr 10, 2025 11:27:28 AM

Story endings can be thrilling, rewarding, and, for many writers, intimidating. A strong ending must provide resolution, deliver emotional impact,...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

Learn how unfamiliar locations, natural elements, revealing environments, thematic landscapes, and subverted expectations can put pressure on your protagonists and elevate your storytelling.

4 min read

How the Setting Can Put Pressure on Your Hero

Writing Team: Mar 31, 2025 2:13:18 PM

Setting is far more than just a backdrop for your story. When used strategically, it becomes a powerful tool to increase tension, reveal character,...

Storytelling Fiction Character Plot

Discover the three essential elements that make crime fiction irresistible: compelling character motivations, carefully crafted twists, and atmospheric settings.

2 min read

Three Key Elements of Crime Fiction That Will Keep Readers Hooked

Writing Team: Mar 24, 2025 11:44:34 AM

Crime fiction offers writers an exciting playground where they can explore human nature, create suspense, and keep readers turning pages well past...

Fiction genre Publishing

Discover what literary agents at The Blair Partnership are actively seeking in their submission inboxes.

2 min read

What Top Literary Agents Are Looking For

Writing Team: Mar 24, 2025 11:41:08 AM

Finding the right literary agent is a crucial step in your publishing journey. The agent you choose should not only represent your genre but actively...

Fiction Publishing Writing money

Discover what makes a Bildungsroman—the literary coming-of-age genre behind classics like 'Jane Eyre' and contemporary hits like 'Barbie.'

2 min read

What is a Bildungsroman? Understanding the Coming-of-Age Literary Genre

Writing Team: Mar 24, 2025 11:37:00 AM

The term "Bildungsroman" might sound intimidating, but chances are you've read and loved several novels in this genre without realizing it. From...

Storytelling Fiction

Learn how to evoke emotion, enhance mood, and engage readers through sensory details, word choice, and subtle foreshadowing.

3 min read

Mastering Atmosphere in Fiction

Writing Team: Mar 17, 2025 2:31:14 PM

For seasoned writers, creating atmosphere is more than just setting a scene—it’s about immersing readers so deeply in a story that they feel its...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

Learn practical techniques for crafting compelling 'what if' premises, developing characters that elevate your concept, avoiding common pitfalls, and pitching your high-concept story to agents and publishers with confidence.

7 min read

High-Concept Fiction

Writing Team: Mar 17, 2025 2:26:59 PM

Modern publishing, high-concept fiction continues to dominate bestseller lists, attract film options, and command impressive advances. As both...

Writing Fiction

Explore the evolving definition of women's fiction, its role in publishing, and whether it serves as a true genre or a marketing tool.

3 min read

Rethinking Women’s Fiction

Writing Team: Mar 2, 2025 1:23:21 PM

The term women’s fiction is frequently used within publishing circles, but its definition remains elusive. While readers and booksellers increasingly...

Storytelling Writing Fiction Character

These prompts offer foundations for building compelling love stories.

3 min read

Romance Writing Prompts to Inspire Your Fiction

Writing Team: Dec 3, 2024 11:44:11 AM

Every great love story starts with a spark of inspiration. Whether you're crafting your first romance novel or your fiftieth, fresh ideas can help...

Storytelling Fiction Romance

A complex character will always be more compelling than a complex plot.

1 min read

Too Much Plot?

Writing Team: Dec 3, 2024 11:39:42 AM

Is your story drowning in plot twists? Does your novel feel weighed down by excessive subplots? Here's how to diagnose the problem and restore your...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

Pacing is about creating a journey that feels natural and engaging for your readers.

3 min read

Pacing in Your Story: Practical Tips and Techniques

Writing Team: Nov 25, 2024 10:16:54 AM

Pacing is a critical element of storytelling, whether you're crafting a novel, short story, screenplay, or even creative nonfiction. The way your...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

Rising action is the heartbeat of your story, driving readers toward an unforgettable climax.

4 min read

What Is Rising Action?

Writing Team: Nov 25, 2024 9:58:54 AM

You’ve likely encountered the term “rising action” and wondered how to use it to craft compelling stories. While it may sound complex, rising action...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

Effective foreshadowing is like a promise made to your reader—a contract that builds trust and creates anticipation.

2 min read

Master Foreshadowing

Writing Team: Nov 11, 2024 3:58:20 PM

The power of foreshadowing lies not in what is said, but in what is promised. Like a master magician who shows you the card before it disappears,...

Storytelling Fiction Author

Psycholinguistics provides writers with a deeper understanding of how humans process and produce language.

4 min read

Psycholinguistics in Dialogue: Crafting Authentic Speech Patterns

Writing Team: Oct 21, 2024 8:47:17 PM

Crafting authentic dialogue in writing is an art that requires more than just a good ear for how people speak. Psycholinguistics, the study of the...

Storytelling Writing Fiction Character

These five authors demonstrate how tone can be a powerful tool in a writer's arsenal.

2 min read

Types of Tone: Exploring Distinct Writing Styles

Writing Team: Sep 30, 2024 9:15:00 AM

Tone in writing is the attitude or emotional character that the author conveys through their words. It's a crucial element that can dramatically...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

Cliffhangers are a potent tool in a writer's arsenal, capable of keeping audiences invested across episodes, sequels, or chapters.

1 min read

Cliffhangers: Hooking Your Audience with Suspense

Writing Team: Sep 30, 2024 6:30:00 AM

Cliffhangers are powerful narrative devices that leave audiences on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating what comes next. Whether you're...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

Naivety is a powerful tool in storytelling, allowing characters to serve as entry points for the audience or to illustrate the harsh lessons that accompany experience and growth.

5 min read

Define Naïve

Writing Team: Sep 23, 2024 7:30:00 AM

Naivety is often perceived as a lack of experience or worldly wisdom, characterized by a certain innocence, credulity, or childlike simplicity. In...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

Remember that every published author started somewhere, and many wrote their first novels while balancing other responsibilities.

3 min read

How to Draft a Novel

Writing Team: Sep 20, 2024 12:51:14 PM

Writing a novel while juggling a full-time job can seem daunting, but with the right strategies and dedication, it's entirely achievable. This guide...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

Selective perception is a powerful tool in storytelling, allowing authors to control the flow of information, create tension, and develop characters in intricate ways.

4 min read

Selective Perception as a Storytelling Tool

Writing Team: Sep 16, 2024 10:30:00 AM

In storytelling, the concept of selective perception can play a pivotal role in shaping how readers interpret characters, plot points, and the...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

Choose wisely. Be consistent. And don’t tear the fabric of the space-time continuum.

2 min read

Make Sense of Verb Tense

Writing Team: Aug 12, 2024 5:30:00 AM

Verb tense affects the narrative distance. This article is on verb tense and how that affects the viewpoint choices we make.

Writing Fiction Scriptwriting

Discover how the Major Dramatic Question can transform your novel into a gripping, unforgettable story.

3 min read

The Major Dramatic Question: The Backbone of Your Novel

Writing Team: Aug 12, 2024 4:45:00 AM

As a novelist, crafting a compelling story that keeps readers engaged from start to finish is your ultimate goal. One of the most powerful tools at...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

2 min read

Mastering Subplots in Your Novel: Tips and Techniques

Writing Team: Jul 3, 2024 12:13:04 PM

If you’re writing a novel, you likely have a solid grasp of your main narrative arc. However, incorporating subplots can be crucial to make your...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

An architect sitting at a table, designing a building in an impressionist oil painting style.

5 min read

The Architecture of Narrative: Story Planning

Writing Team: Jun 7, 2024 4:35:16 PM

In the vast landscape of the writing world, there are many paths to the summit of a completed novel. Some writers prefer the winding, serendipitous...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

A man visibly sad, holding his head in his hand in an impressionist oil painting style.

5 min read

How to Write Impactful Character Deaths in Fiction

Writing Team: Jun 7, 2024 4:33:17 PM

In the realm of storytelling, death is a constant companion. It stalks the battlefields and hospital wards, lurks in the shadows of dark alleys and...

Storytelling Fiction Character

A person looking into a dark room in an impressionist oil painting style.

5 min read

The Descent into Darkness: Crafting Negative Character Arcs

Writing Team: May 24, 2024 2:48:36 PM

The Challenge and the RewardIn storytelling, the protagonist's journey often takes center stage. Readers watch, transfixed, as characters navigate...

Storytelling Writing Fiction Character

One person calling out to another person in the distance in an impressionist oil painting style.

4 min read

Echoes of the Past: Crafting Character Through Backstory

Writing Team: May 24, 2024 2:44:59 PM

In the tapestry of a character's life, the threads of the past often weave the richest patterns. These threads, these echoes of a life lived before...

Storytelling Fiction Character

Two people arguing in an impressionist oil painting style.

3 min read

Character Flaws That Fuel Conflict

Writing Team: May 10, 2024 10:18:09 PM

In our zeal to create characters that captivate and inspire, we often fall prey to the temptation of the flawless, the allure of the immaculate. We...

Storytelling Fiction Character

A teenager reading while sitting in a window sill in an impressionist oil painting style.

4 min read

What Goes into Writing Static Character Arcs?

Writing Team: May 10, 2024 10:15:33 PM

The protagonist's journey often takes center stage. We watch, transfixed, as they navigate the twists and turns of the plot, their inner landscape...

Storytelling Fiction Character

A character looking in a mirror in an impressionist oil painting style.

3 min read

The Labyrinth of the Soul: Characters And Internal Conflict

Writing Team: Apr 27, 2024 11:17:36 AM

In the realm of fiction, conflict reigns supreme. It is the engine that drives the narrative, the spark that ignites the reader's imagination. While...

Storytelling Fiction Character

A character looking at a ghost in an impressionist oil painting style.

4 min read

The Ghost: Crafting Character Through Emotional Wounds

Writing Team: Apr 27, 2024 11:15:14 AM

In the tapestry of a character's life, the threads of the past often weave the most intricate patterns. These threads, these echoes of old pains and...

Storytelling Fiction Character

A woman singing into a microphone in an impressionist oil painting style.

3 min read

How to Give Your Characters a Unique Voice

Writing Team: Apr 12, 2024 8:27:09 PM

In the realm of fiction, character reigns supreme. Readers experience the triumphs and tragedies, the loves and losses, the grand adventures and...

Storytelling Fiction Character

A woman sitting on a bench with her back to the audience in an impressionist oil painting style.

3 min read

Capturing a Complex Protagonist

Writing Team: Apr 12, 2024 8:23:52 PM

The craft of creating a protagonist—of birthing a character vivid and fully formed enough to arrest a reader's attention and haunt their...

Storytelling Fiction Character

Two men wearing suits, sitting at a table in a crowded pub, in an impressionist oil painting style.

3 min read

A Writer’s Guide to Crafting Bone-Chilling Villains

Writing Team: Mar 29, 2024 2:00:54 PM

Villains are the dark heartbeats that pulse through stories, captivating readers with their sinister allure. From Emperor Palpatine to Lord...

Storytelling Writing Fiction Character

A man in the distance walking down a tree-lined road with his back toward the audience in an impressionist oil painting style.

4 min read

Explore Antagonists in Fiction: Beyond the Classic Villain

Writing Team: Mar 29, 2024 1:58:28 PM

Conflict is the cornerstone of storytelling, but villains aren't always mustache-twirling adversaries. Let's delve into the diverse array of...

Writing Fiction Character

3 min read

Sidekicks: Add a Kick of Flavor to Your Main Character’s Journey

Writing Team: Mar 14, 2024 3:49:36 PM

The significance of a well-crafted sidekick in storytelling cannot be overstated. These characters, whether the best friend, sassy co-worker, or...

Storytelling Fiction Character

2 min read

Dialogue in Fiction

Writing Team: Oct 26, 2023 2:57:27 PM

Have you ever been engrossed in a captivating story only to be let down by lackluster dialogue? Perhaps the characters all seemed to sound the same,...

Writing Art Fiction

2 min read

Embracing Your Antagonist: The Heart of a Documentary

Writing Team: Oct 26, 2023 2:14:19 PM

Crafting a compelling story in documentary filmmaking or fiction is akin to constructing a delicate and intricate mechanism.

Storytelling Writing Fantasy Fiction

1 min read

Discovering the Essence of Your Story: Theme vs. Agenda

Writing Team: Oct 26, 2023 2:09:03 PM

Understanding the core of your story is a crucial endeavor that delves deep into the heart of human nature and our shared civilization.

Storytelling Fiction Character

1 min read

Crafting Dialogue in Stories: A Deeper Understanding

Writing Team: Oct 26, 2023 1:10:16 PM

Dialogue breathes life into stories, yet it significantly diverges from real spoken language. While it imparts vital information essential for...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

5 min read

Choosing the Right Narrative Perspective

Writing Team: Oct 26, 2023 1:06:34 PM

Few elements can swiftly transform a story as much as altering the narrative perspective from which it unfolds.

Storytelling Writing Fiction

1 min read

Character Motivation: Wants and Needs

Writing Team: Oct 26, 2023 12:55:27 PM

Characters are individuals who want something, and these desires can be categorized into two distinct types: the character's intrinsic wish...

Storytelling Writing Fiction Character

3 min read

Character Agency: Why It's Vital in Fiction

Writing Team: Oct 26, 2023 12:46:30 PM

The concept of "character agency" in fiction revolves around a character's ability to take action and influence the events within a story. It plays a...

Storytelling Fiction Character

Young woman being followed by two people in a Victorian-era impressionistic art style.

2 min read

Explore the Enigmatic: Craft an Antihero Readers Will Embrace

Writing Team: Sep 22, 2023 5:00:22 PM

Have you ever found yourself rooting for a character who seems to revel in their own flaws and questionable choices? Welcome to the world of...

Storytelling Fiction Character

3 min read

Classic Chinese Literature: A Must-Read List

Writing Team: Sep 4, 2023 11:07:19 AM

Chinese literature is a treasure trove of beautifully crafted stories and tomes. Especially if you are a western-born writer, it's imperative to read...

Book Writing Reading Fiction

2 min read

The Three Most Important People in Your Story

Writing Team: Sep 4, 2023 10:50:57 AM

In today's blog post, we're diving deep into the insights shared in a captivating video titled "Story Development: The Three Most Important People in...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

2 min read

Writing Slow

Writing Team: Sep 4, 2023 10:10:18 AM

In our current era, speed is often celebrated above all else. The internet's emergence has accelerated our lives, turning processes that once took...

Storytelling Writing Art Fiction

2 min read

Unveiling Character Secrets: What Lies Beyond the Surface

Writing Team: Sep 1, 2023 3:41:11 PM

Characters in stories often harbor secrets, hidden facets of their lives or knowledge that can shape the narrative in profound ways.

Storytelling Writing Fiction

1 min read

Crafting Beloved Supporting Characters

Writing Team: Aug 29, 2023 6:03:09 PM

Are you in the midst of writing a novel and finding that while your main character is fully fleshed out, your supporting characters still need some...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

3 min read

Word Counts for Different Novel Genres

Writing Team: Aug 29, 2023 5:57:48 PM

Determining the ideal word count for your novel is a crucial aspect of writing. While your plot, characters, and premise are vital, the question of...

Creative Storytelling Writing Work Fiction

woman breaking through a wall impressionism style

3 min read

Metafiction and Breaking the Fourth Wall

Writing Team: Aug 9, 2023 3:44:53 PM

Metafiction, a literary device that transcends the boundaries of traditional storytelling, offers readers a unique and thought-provoking experience....

Storytelling Writing Fantasy Fiction

2 min read

Writing Stories from the Perspective of Misunderstood Animals

Writing Team: Aug 7, 2023 4:51:37 PM

Stories have the power to transcend boundaries, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the lives of characters from different worlds. One captivating...

Storytelling Writing Fiction

woman reading a book impressionist style

2 min read

Captivating Openings: Tips for Crafting Intriguing First Lines in Your Stories

Writing Team: Jul 31, 2023 2:16:57 PM

In storytelling, the first line holds unparalleled power. It is the gateway that entices readers to step into the world you have crafted and sets the...

Storytelling Fiction