Writing Techniques and Tips
Clever techniques to have you hitting your word count goals in no time.
Clarity in Writing: Tips to Sharpen Your Text
We share our top tips to improve the clarity of your writing, all the way from word-level to full-text considerations.
April 25th, 2025
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Screenwriting tips: 8 big ideas (that apply to novels too)
How do you write a good screenplay? Or a novel worthy of film adaptation? Screenwriting tips by masters of visual storytelling help. Here are 8 great screenwriting ideas that apply to novels and other formats too: Screenwriting tips that apply to novels too: Keep your eyes on the ground a...
December 14th, 2020
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How to outline a novel (template plus 7 checks)
Deciding how to outline a novel (or whether to outline at all) is a personal process for each author. This sample book outline plus 7 checks and insights will help you outline with purpose: Novel outlining: Pros, Cons, and Pitfalls Outlining novels: Pros and consShould I outline a novel?'P...
January 25th, 2021
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What is diction? How to write vivid voices
What is diction in writing? It is the effect that writing creates due to word choice and other elements of style such as register (formal vs casual) and connotation. It's the choices that make a 'posh' voice read posh, for example. Here are simple ways to use it to create personality in your sto...
March 15th, 2021
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8 story hook examples (how to grab attention)
A literary 'hook' in a story promises intrigue, entertainment and answers to the questions it raises. Far from the trickery of a bait and switch, a hook gives a true sense of what your reader can expect of your story's pleasures. Explore great story hook examples and what they teach us about sta...
June 26th, 2025
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How to write multiple points of view in a novel: 8 tips
How do you write multiple points of view in a novel? More importantly why have multiple viewpoint narrators in your novel? Read on for 8 tips on writing books with multiple narrators, with practical POV examples from Barbara Kingsolver and others and a POV exercise by Ursula K. Le Guin: How t...
July 5th, 2021
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How to write story exposition that hooks readers fast
'Story exposition' is often described as background, the necessary part to include so that readers know when, where and why your story takes place. Yet the exposition in a novel or short story is also an opportunity to entice, amuse, alarm and surprise your reader, foregrounding engaging themes ...
September 6th, 2021
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How to write deep POV: 8 tips and examples
Narration and viewpoint are two complex but important aspects of writing craft. Showing your reader the world through your characters' eyes builds immersion. Learn how to write deep POV with a definition, plus tips and examples that illustrate why this is an effective option for bringing readers...
June 7th, 2021
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How to organize story scenes (plus scene structure template)
Understanding how to organize story scenes will help you to draft scenes with an underlying sense of purpose and focus. Learn how to use Now Novel's Scene Builder to create your own scene structure template that is flexible and custom-made for your story: First, what is Now Novel's scene buil...
July 19th, 2021
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Tips when writing a book: Top 10 from Now Novel's webinars
Many tips to remember to when writing a book are shared in writing seminars, interviews, critique circles and webinars around the world. Here are ten curated from Now Novel's monthly writing webinars where authors from 5 continents come together to discuss writing craft: Remember these tips w...
August 16th, 2021
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What are good topics for novels? 14 ways to find winners
Whether you're between projects or planning on writing your first book, there are many ways to decide what are good novel topics. Here are 14 ideas for how to find book topics: What are good book topics? 14 story starters: Use Google News Search the classifieds/back pages Create a game of...
September 13th, 2021
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