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How to write a rough draft: Finish your novel faster
In learning how to write a rough draft, there's no one-size-fits-all approach that suits every writer equally. This being said, writing a story draft as quickly as possible helps. Working quicker for the first pass helps to keep you from becoming discouraged or losing interest in your ...
July 26th, 2018
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10 dialogue tips to hook readers
Understanding how to write dialogue in a story enables you to bring characters to life using their individual voices. Great dialogue moves your story along at a good pace, giving your reader a break from non-stop narrative prose. Try these dialogue tips for writing effective speech: How to us...
August 30th, 2018
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How to write a series: 10 tips for writing smash hits
If you want to make the big time, learn how to write a series. Why? Because once readers are hooked on book one and know that books two through four are on the way, you'll have a captive, invested book audience. These 10 tips for writing series will help you plan an intriguing, addictive multi-n...
July 5th, 2018
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What Is Narrative? 9 Narrative Types and Examples
Every story has a voice, a perspective, and a particular way it unfolds — in other words, a narrative. Choosing the right type(s) of narrative for your story is crucial to its success. In this post, we’ll look at nine of the most common narrative types, how you might use them, and an example of each.
January 23rd, 2025
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The 20 Most Common Themes in Literature (With Examples)
What is a theme in literature? And which are the most common ones? We'll answer everything in this guide, with plenty of examples.
June 3rd, 2025
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Writing riveting inciting action: 7 ideas
The inciting event or incident - the situation that ignites circumstances fueling your story - is an opportunity to intrigue and win your reader's commitment. Remember these 7 tips to write riveting inciting action: 1: Make readers care 2: Stoke expectations 3: Promise development 4:...
June 11th, 2018
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How to Start a Scene: 5 Ways to Reel in Readers
If you know where your scene is headed but can’t figure out how it should start, you’re not alone. Luckily, we’ve assembled 5 tips that great writers can use to hook their readers from the second the curtain goes up.
March 31st, 2025
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6 conflict types in fiction: Man vs self
One of the oldest and most compelling types of conflict we encounter in stories is man vs self. Man vs self - or person vs self - is a staple of tragedy in particular. In tragedy, a character's ignorance, arrogance or other trait often leads to downfall. Read a definition of this type of st...
June 28th, 2018
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6 intriguing conflict types in fiction: Man vs nature
Conflict in fiction is a crucial ingredient of tension and suspense. Whether it involves character vs character or character vs environment, conflict makes plots tick onward. Read tips for creating man vs nature (or person vs nature) conflict that shows characters struggling with their environme...
July 2nd, 2018
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Person vs society: 6 types of story conflict
External conflicts in fiction - conflicts between characters and outside sources rather than inner battles - are an important part of storytelling. 'Man vs society' (or, rather, person vs society) is a conflict authors often use to explore society and culture. This conflict in literature ex...
June 11th, 2025
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How to write chapters: Create a compelling Chapter 3
We've written about how to structure a chapter generally, writing good opening paragraphs and pages, and developing Chapter One's intrigue in your second chapter. Writing a good third chapter is equally important. Your early chapters hook readers and build interest you can sustain. Read ideas an...
July 30th, 2018
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Finding sentences to start a story: 7 methods
The beginning sentence of a story is often what we'll tweak last. Finding sentences to start a story is easier, after all, when you know later developments you could echo. Read 7 examples of effective opening sentences and the options they suggest for ways to begin: 1. Introduce a key charact...
August 27th, 2018
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