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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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How to end a novel: Writing strong story endings
Knowing how to end a novel is an essential skill for fiction writers. Story endings often stay with us as readers - especially when they're satisfying, haunting, clever or profound. Here are 7 ways to end a novel. May they inspire you to find the best closing for your story: 7 ways to en...
September 25th, 2018
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How to write a book series: 6 secrets of success
Learning how to write a book series means mastering the challenges specific to series-writing. Sustaining characters' development over a longer time. Sustaining conflict, tension, and irresolution too. Here are six secrets to creating a successful series: 1. Choose a central idea that creates...
October 4th, 2018
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Realistic dialogue: Creating characters' speech patterns
Realistic dialogue moves stories along. When you give each character an interesting voice and persona, it's a joy to read their conversations. Varied, entertaining speech takes readers into the heart of your characters. Remember, too, that dialogue is crafted speech, and doesn't have to be e...
September 27th, 2018
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How to create tension in a story: 8 simple steps
Understanding how to create tension in a story is key to writing a gripping, 'I'll just read one more page before bed' read. Here are eight steps to ensure your story has effective narrative tension. Watch the brief video below, then read the article: 1: Create a conflict crucial to your char...
November 8th, 2018
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Writing a short story: 8 ways it will help your craft
The short story has a long and rich tradition, spanning everything from the Gothic tales of Poe to contemporary masterpieces. Writing a short story will improve your writing skills, as you can apply many of the techniques you master in the process to longer forms. Telling a complete story i...
November 15th, 2018
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How to write a book fast: 5 simple rules
Learning how to write a book fast is a matter of having a process and tools to streamline the parts of writing a book that take the most time. Whether you're preparing for a write-a-thon like NaNoWriMo or have readers breathing down your neck for your next series installment, here are ways to wr...
October 22nd, 2018
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Writing tense dialogue: 5 ways to add arresting tension
Writing tense dialogue is effective in making characters' conversations interesting. When every exchange is a pleasantry or obvious observation, dialogue doesn't do the work it can to move a story along. Tense dialogue, whether an argument between colleagues, lovers, or hero and villain, adds a ...
September 17th, 2018
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Writing conversations using setting (examples)
Writing conversations that don't involve setting is like writing action scenes that don't involve movement. Great dialogue has more than disembodied voices. It anchors us in a place, in the context that occasions characters' interaction. Read tips for creating realistic dialogue by involving you...
October 8th, 2018
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Dramatic point of view: 5 tips for fly-on-the-wall scenes
'Point of view' is an element of writing that confuses many beginning authors. There are various types, from omniscient to limited third person. Dramatic point of view is one such type. Read a definition of dramatic point of view along with examples and tips to help you use this POV well: Wha...
October 15th, 2018
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Help with writing: 6 tips for getting critiques
There are many options for getting help with writing online. Here are 6 tips to get the maximum benefit from writing critiques: 1. Be brave, bold, and play In an in-person, 'live' writing group, you might feel daunted. Sometimes it's hard to write the bold lines and stories that ma...
February 7th, 2019
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How to plot a series: 8 steps for multi-book arcs
Plotting just one novel is challenging, never mind plotting a multi-book arc. Having structure and a plan helps. Here's how to plot a series in 8 structured steps. Let's first briefly define what a series is. They can be a set of stories broken down in to a few stories, or books, such as the ...
November 22nd, 2018
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