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Impact of introductions, prologues, prefaces and forewords
‘I was told that novels shouldn’t have prologues,’ a writer said to me recently. We had been discussing her novel, and I was suggesting that she could add a prologue to it to strengthen as aspect of the story. She said that she was under the impression that a prologue would slow or delay the...
April 15th, 2024
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Elevate writing using literary devices
Recognize any of these literary device?'It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.' – Charles Dickens'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.' The Dickens quote, from the novel, A Tale of Two Cities, is an example of anaphora, while the Peter piper tongue twister might have be...
May 6th, 2024
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A definitive guide to mastering point of view
When you crack open a novel you're stepping into the shoes of the narrator of the story. And how that story unfolds and immerses you largely depends on the point of view (POV) it's told from. Point of view isn't just a technical choice or term; it's the lens through which readers experience the ...
May 20th, 2024
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Delving into fourth person point of view
‘Whenever we saw Mrs. Lisbon we looked in vain for some sign of the beauty that must have once been hers. But the plump arms, the brutally cut steel-wool hair, and the librarian’s glasses foiled us every time.’ These lines are from the opening chapter of The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey E...
May 27th, 2024
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Interiority in fiction: the glue between inner and outer worlds
Fiction provides a window into the lives, thoughts, and emotions of characters. One of the most powerful tools a writer has in their arsenal to achieve this is the use of interiority. Interiority, or the depiction of a character's inner thoughts and feelings, allows readers to step inside the mi...
June 3rd, 2024
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How to Plan a Novel: The Ultimate 4-Step Plan
Opinion is divided on whether or not you should plan a novel in detail — me personally, I’m a planner. If you’re also thinking about how to plan your book, this post is for you! Here, I’ll give you my best tips on the novel planning process and create a map that will lead to your own destination: a finished book.
February 4th, 2025
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