How to write dialogue: 7 steps for great conversation

Learning how to write dialogue in a story is crucial. Writing gripping conversations that include conflict and disagreement and further your story will make readers want to read on. Here are 7 steps to improve your dialogue writing skills: 7 steps to write better dialogue: Learn how to fo...

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 ...

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...

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...

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.

How to develop story themes: 5 theme examples

The recurring ideas or broad themes of books give us insights into ideas such as 'love', 'honor', 'good vs evil' and much more. Read 5 common theme examples from books that show how to take your story's 'big ideas' and use them to create additional characters and subplots: What is a them...

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:...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...