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How to develop a story idea: 7 essential exercises
Learning how to develop a story idea comes with practice and staying curious. These 7 story development exercises will help you ask questions and flesh out rudimentary ideas with greater substance and detail: How to develop your story from first ideas: Ask expansive, hypothetical question...
October 4th, 2021
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How to create a plot and guarantee a better story
Acclaimed authors have often said that it's not plot that matters, but rather story. Yet knowing how to create a plot that uses universal storytelling elements such as action and reaction, incident and coincidence, helps you grab and keep your reader's attention. Learn how to come up with a plot...
October 11th, 2021
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50 fun group writing exercises
'Fill in the blank' writing exercises are fun to do in a group. Writing exercises with some set parameters highlight the diverse, interesting ways different writers interpret and respond to the same prompts. Try one of 50 'fill in the blank' creative writing prompts below, and share your creativ...
December 20th, 2021
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How to use central conflict and drama to drive your novel
The central conflict of your story is the primary opposition that stands between a character and their goals. Learn what the main conflict is and why it matters. Find ways to use conflict to propel your story to a resolution or 'to be continued...' What is a central conflict? The definitio...
April 4th, 2022
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How to write a plot outline: 7 plotting techniques
Creating a story outline is not for everyone. Yet it is a useful way to scrutinize and expand your story idea. A way to find more material, and create a story structure template that guides your draft. Learn how to write a plot outline with these seven plotting techniques: 7 popular story out...
April 25th, 2022
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Point of view: Complete guide to POV in stories
Perspective writing is an aspect of narration many writers struggle with. Yet point of view is an important element of storytelling. Read a complete guide to point of view including first person, second and third, plus objective point of view, with definitions and examples: Contents of this P...
April 18th, 2022
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Prologues and epilogues: Writing prefaces and after chapters
Many authors include a prologue to their story that gives context, exposition or backstory, or an afterword that supplies further resolution or intrigue. What is a prologue or epilogue exactly? Read on for definitions, examples and tips for using them in your own books: What is a prologu...
March 21st, 2022
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How to write the first chapter of a book: 7 ideas
There is no single method for how to write the first chapter of a book. Each story creates its own structure. Yet first chapters achieve similar feats. Read seven ideas for making your first chapter work: How to write the first chapter of a novel: Tease but don't give the game away Set...
February 7th, 2022
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Good story openings: 8 lessons from famous first lines
Good story openings are challenging to write but an inviting or catchy first sentence reels readers into your fictional world. Here are 8 famous first lines and what they teach us about how to begin a novel in style: What do great story introduction examples teach us? Good story open...
June 2nd, 2022
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Story structure examples: How to create payoffs for readers
A well-structured story is satisfying to read. There's payoff for the reader as the story has cohesion and shape. Read a definition of story structure, plus effective story structure examples and methods to make your story more cohesive and dynamic: What this story structure guide covers ...
June 9th, 2022
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38 plot ideas (plus 7 ways to find more)
Plot ideas, story concepts, are everywhere. You only have to look at outlandish headlines, or cut a community newspaper into words to draw from a hat. Read 7 ways to find plot ideas, and 38 plot ideas generated using these methods. To find plot ideas to develop further: Search genre-speci...
July 4th, 2022
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How to write a sequel that satisfies: Simple guide
Writing a sequel may delight fans of your standalone book. It's an opportunity to build on story arcs, characters - the world you've already created. Learn how to write a sequel that satisfies fans: What does sequel mean? A sequel is a story that continues the events, characters and/or sett...
July 11th, 2022
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