6 min read
Writing Team: May 8, 2025 2:29:24 PM
In the quietude of a morning, before the world has fully awakened, a novelist sits at her desk. Her fingers hover over the keyboard. She takes a deep...
4 min read
Writing Team: Apr 14, 2025 4:40:11 PM
Every writer experiences that pivotal moment—manuscript complete, hope surging—when the urge to hit "send" on agent queries becomes nearly...
4 min read
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...
3 min read
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...
3 min read
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,...
4 min read
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,...
2 min read
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...
3 min read
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...
5 min read
Writing Team: Mar 2, 2025 1:28:04 PM
Situational irony is one of the most powerful tools in a writer's arsenal. You've likely encountered it in Alanis Morissette's lyrics or in countless...
3 min read
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...
3 min read
Writing Team: Feb 9, 2025 2:15:05 PM
If you're an aspiring novelist, you've likely heard the classic writing advice: "show, don't tell," "limit adverbs," and "watch your backstory."...
5 min read
Writing Team: Feb 9, 2025 2:11:58 PM
When crafting memorable characters, the devil is in the details. A character's small habits, unconscious gestures, and distinctive traits can...
3 min read
Writing Team: Feb 3, 2025 3:47:38 PM
Ebooks have revolutionized the publishing industry, offering authors an accessible way to share their stories or expertise with readers worldwide....
3 min read
Writing Team: Jan 19, 2025 2:20:08 PM
When crafting a short story, one of the first questions writers often ask is: How long should it be? The answer depends on your goals, audience, and...
3 min read
Writing Team: Jan 19, 2025 2:15:19 PM
Audiobooks have exploded in popularity, with demand growing for high-quality, professionally narrated recordings. For authors and narrators looking...
3 min read
Writing Team: Jan 19, 2025 2:04:32 PM
Sudowrite is a nifty tool, especially for professional writers seeking to enhance their productivity, creativity, and overall writing experience....
2 min read
Writing Team: Dec 9, 2024 11:51:57 AM
In a bustling Belgian newsroom, a veteran reporter sits at his desk, ignoring the day's breaking news. While his colleagues frantically chase the...
2 min read
Writing Team: Dec 9, 2024 11:46:26 AM
StoryCorps, the acclaimed nonprofit that has been gathering personal stories since 2003, is now online, offering families the chance to connect and...
3 min read
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...
1 min read
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...
3 min read
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...
4 min read
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...
2 min read
Writing Team: Nov 18, 2024 8:30:00 AM
Rhetorical devices are the tools that transform good writing into great writing. Like a master painter's brushstrokes or a composer's musical...
4 min read
Writing Team: Nov 11, 2024 4:02:03 PM
Plotting a story can be a challenge for any writer. It’s easy to get lost without a roadmap, and that’s where a plot diagram comes in handy. By...
2 min read
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,...
3 min read
Writing Team: Nov 6, 2024 10:36:12 AM
Just as a hologram contains the complete image within each fragment, holographic narrative design creates stories where every scene, dialogue, and...
6 min read
Writing Team: Nov 6, 2024 10:31:38 AM
Ever wonder why some fictional conversations stay with you long after you've closed the book, while others fade faster than your morning coffee buzz?...
5 min read
Writing Team: Nov 6, 2024 10:24:15 AM
Storytelling is one of humanity's oldest art forms, captivating audiences across cultures and generations. Whether you're interested in live...
4 min read
Writing Team: Oct 21, 2024 8:54:37 PM
In storytelling, chronesthesia—the mental ability to perceive and travel through time—is a powerful tool to manipulate a reader's sense of the past...
4 min read
Writing Team: Oct 21, 2024 8:51:16 PM
Writers often look to nature for inspiration—whether for metaphors, settings, or character development. But what if we could take inspiration from...
4 min read
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...
4 min read
Writing Team: Oct 21, 2024 8:39:37 PM
Transmedia storytelling—a narrative technique that spreads a story across multiple platforms—has become an innovative way to engage audiences in more...
3 min read
Writing Team: Oct 21, 2024 8:30:00 AM
Writers and narrative designers are constantly seeking fresh approaches to engage their audiences. One innovative method gaining traction is the...
3 min read
Writing Team: Oct 15, 2024 3:51:05 PM
Storytellers are increasingly turning to neuroscience to enhance their narrative techniques. Neurocinematics, the study of how film and other...
3 min read
Writing Team: Oct 15, 2024 3:47:39 PM
For professional writers seeking to enrich their storytelling techniques, the ancient practice of story circles from indigenous oral traditions...
2 min read
Writing Team: Oct 8, 2024 7:13:40 PM
Narrative nonfiction is a genre of writing that uses the techniques of fiction—such as character development, storytelling, and scene-setting—while...
2 min read
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...
1 min read
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...
5 min read
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...
4 min read
Writing Team: Sep 23, 2024 5:00:00 AM
The wind howled against the towering cliffs, whipping through the vast, open valley below. At the edge stood Mia, her heart pounding as she gazed...
3 min read
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...
5 min read
Writing Team: Sep 16, 2024 2:24:24 PM
When it comes to comedy, social commentary, and wordplay, few names stand as tall as George Carlin. His sharp wit, observational humor, and deep...
4 min read
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...
2 min read
Writing Team: Sep 16, 2024 6:00:00 AM
This article explores the art of visualization and its impact on learning and storytelling and provides practical methods for leveraging this...
2 min read
Writing Team: Sep 10, 2024 11:20:25 AM
Proofreading is an essential skill for writers, editors, and anyone who works with text. It involves meticulously reviewing content for errors in...
4 min read
Writing Team: Sep 6, 2024 2:09:34 PM
Publishing a book is a dream for many writers, but the journey from manuscript to printed work can seem daunting. Whether you’re aiming for...
3 min read
Writing Team: Aug 26, 2024 5:45:00 AM
It's not just what we choose to say, but what we choose not to say, that holds immense power. To illustrate this, watch the Mormon Tabernacle Choir...
3 min read
Writing Team: Aug 19, 2024 8:15:00 AM
Names are more than mere labels; they carry depth, history, and symbolism. As a writer, choosing the perfect name for your characters can be a...
3 min read
Writing Team: Aug 19, 2024 5:30:00 AM
Dialogue is easy to spot because it has those nifty little quotation marks, but not all text that isn’t dialogue can be lumped together. The...
3 min read
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...
2 min read
Writing Team: Aug 6, 2024 6:54:17 PM
Imagine watching a thrilling movie that ends abruptly at the climax, leaving you hanging without any closure. Frustrating, right? This scenario made...
4 min read
Writing Team: Aug 6, 2024 6:48:41 PM
As a lyricist, Taylor Swift has enthralled audiences worldwide. But did you know she’s also woven a subtle tapestry of literary references throughout...
3 min read
Writing Team: Aug 5, 2024 5:33:51 PM
Imagine you're reading a novel, and suddenly, you come across a sentence that seems to go on forever, each phrase connected by "and" after "and"...
5 min read
Writing Team: Aug 5, 2024 5:30:17 PM
rnest Hemingway's writing is famously concise, powerful, and "true." Let's break down how he achieves this iconic style and explore how you can...
2 min read
Writing Team: Jul 29, 2024 5:55:55 PM
Bangsian fantasy is a unique sub-genre of fantasy literature named after John Kendrick Bangs, an American author who popularized this style in the...
2 min read
Writing Team: Jul 29, 2024 5:50:56 PM
As seasoned writers, we understand that the art of crafting compelling scenes is at the heart of engaging storytelling. Goal-driven scenes, in...
1 min read
Writing Team: Jul 29, 2024 5:47:19 PM
Conflict is the engine that drives a story forward, captivating readers and keeping them engaged until the final page. But creating effective...
1 min read
Writing Team: Jul 26, 2024 10:03:53 AM
The concept of archetypes, popularized by Carl Jung in 1959, has long influenced character creation in literature. Among these archetypes, the "Queen...
4 min read
Writing Team: Jul 26, 2024 10:00:19 AM
Being able to write realistic, consistent, multi-dimensional characters is vital to gaining reader interest. Doing so first requires we know a lot...
2 min read
Writing Team: Jul 22, 2024 5:33:01 PM
Storytelling is a powerful sales tool. Stories engage readers without feeling like a sales pitch. When done well, they lead prospects to convince...
1 min read
Writing Team: Jul 22, 2024 5:28:27 PM
Stories surround us 24/7, influencing every aspect of modern life. In our attention-driven economy, they're more crucial than ever for reaching an...
1 min read
Writing Team: Jul 15, 2024 5:26:16 PM
Capturing the emotion of disappointment in a character requires understanding its complex nature and varied expressions. Here’s how you can...
3 min read
Writing Team: Jul 10, 2024 12:07:51 PM
As writers, we know that the opening pages of a story are crucial - they're often the only chance we have to captivate readers and make them...
1 min read
Writing Team: Jul 10, 2024 11:54:42 AM
When internal strain becomes too much, rational thought and behavioral control can go out the window. While giving in to big feelings may provide...
7 min read
Joy Youell: Jul 6, 2024 10:31:47 AM
Among the most powerful tools in a writer's arsenal are metaphors and similes. While these two literary devices share similarities, understanding...
2 min read
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...
2 min read
Writing Team: Jul 3, 2024 12:08:27 PM
In the fascinating world of AI and its integration into creative fields, Joanna Penn recently hosted an insightful interview with Rachelle Ayala, a...
7 min read
Joy Youell: Jun 28, 2024 10:49:03 AM
Have you ever found yourself questioning your storytelling skills? We've all experienced that nagging doubt, that sinking feeling in our stomach when...
5 min read
Joy Youell: Jun 28, 2024 10:39:52 AM
The petal structure, or the daisy structure or radial narrative, is a sophisticated storytelling technique that offers writers a unique way to weave...
2 min read
Joy Youell: Jun 19, 2024 9:53:20 AM
Writing academically can often feel like a dry and arduous task, especially when striving to engage readers with complex ideas and research findings....
2 min read
Writing Team: Jun 19, 2024 9:46:26 AM
Writing fiction can be particularly challenging, as it involves not just putting words on paper but crafting a story that captivates readers from...
5 min read
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...
5 min read
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...
5 min read
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...
4 min read
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...
3 min read
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...
4 min read
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...
3 min read
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...
4 min read
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...
3 min read
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...
3 min read
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...
3 min read
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...
3 min read
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...
3 min read
Writing Team: Mar 14, 2024 3:42:45 PM
The role of the main characters can make or break a narrative's success. Breathing life into these characters can be fraught with doubts—are they...
3 min read
Writing Team: Mar 1, 2024 10:41:16 PM
Far beyond a mere formality, the introduction to a book can shape a reader's experience, setting the stage for the following narrative. A...
2 min read
Writing Team: Mar 1, 2024 10:09:22 PM
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldHave you found yourself wondering what the secret is to captivating storytelling? I’ll clue you in: the rising...
2 min read
Writing Team: Feb 9, 2024 8:17:13 PM
Have you ever been told that your story felt bogged down with too much information? Or perhaps you've encountered a fantasy novel where the first...
3 min read
Writing Team: Nov 6, 2023 2:41:31 PM
Have you ever noticed that when you reach the three-quarter mark of a book, putting it down becomes nearly impossible?
2 min read
Writing Team: Nov 6, 2023 2:36:01 PM
Whether you're writing a thrilling action-packed novel or a fantasy epic, the ability to create engaging fights is a valuable asset. In this article,...
3 min read
Writing Team: Nov 6, 2023 2:31:47 PM
What exactly does meaning entail in the realm of storytelling? When can a narrative be deemed meaningful?
2 min read
Writing Team: Oct 26, 2023 3:06:41 PM
As a writer, transporting readers to fantastical realms or gritty cityscapes begins with vivid scene-setting. Rather than dull, generic backdrops,...
1 min read
Writing Team: Oct 26, 2023 2:50:33 PM
Within the intricate tapestry of stories, characters encounter a multitude of obstacles. These hurdles come in diverse forms and intensity levels,...
2 min read
Writing Team: Oct 26, 2023 2:44:22 PM
What exactly is exposition in storytelling, and how can you incorporate backstory while keeping your readers captivated?
3 min read
Writing Team: Oct 26, 2023 2:38:25 PM
An internal problem is the crucible for change, diving deep into a character's essence far beyond the surface motivations that drive external...
6 min read
Writing Team: Oct 26, 2023 2:33:06 PM
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the daunting task of writing a book? Fear not, for we have a valuable guide to help you break it down into...
5 min read
Writing Team: Oct 26, 2023 2:25:13 PM
How can you ensure that readers genuinely care about your plot and characters? How do you create the tension that keeps pages turning, leaving your...
2 min read
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.
1 min read
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.
2 min read
Writing Team: Oct 26, 2023 1:16:59 PM
Whether you're penning a novel, a short story, or even diving into a screenplay or musical, mastering the tempo of your narrative is paramount....
1 min read
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...
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