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What is a Cliché? Definition, Examples, and How to Avoid Them
Clichés can set readers on high alert — making them question the author's ability and imagination and pulling them out of the story. But what are some examples, and how can you avoid them in your writing?
February 21st, 2025
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Central idea vs theme: Developing your novel's ideas
The central idea of a story is the seed from which the offshoots of plot, character and theme grow. It's the core scenario that sets the action in motion. The themes of a novel are the general ideas and principles the story explores. When you examine central idea vs theme, both form the fun...
March 2nd, 2017
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In medias res: 6 steps to start stories from the middle
The Latin term in medias res literally means 'in the midst of things' and is a literary technique that describes a story that skips exposition and starts with events already underway. Read further explanation of this term and 6 steps to make your own in medias res story opening strong:...
February 23rd, 2017
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External and internal conflict: Examples and tips
Conflict is a key ingredient of an engrossing story. 'Internal conflict' and 'external conflict' are two terms you'll often hear when people discuss character creation. Read definitions of these types of story conflict, then how to use them to develop your story: Internal conflict vs ext...
March 6th, 2017
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How to create a satisfying story arc: 5 steps
How do you write a novel that has satisfying structure? The story arc or narrative arc of a novel is something you can consciously develop in your outline or as you draft to create cohesive structure. Read 5 steps to make your novel's arcs work: First, a story arc definition The ...
April 10th, 2017
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What is an omniscient narrator? Narrative examples and tips
'Narration' means 'the action or process of telling a story' (OED). There are many choices for how you narrate a story. For example, whose viewpoint is the focus? Or is the narrator a detached omniscient narrator, simply recording events like a CCTV camera? Read examples of omniscient narration ...
April 6th, 2017
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How to make a good story excellent: 9 steps
Learning how to make a good story great requires mastering the essentials of writing craft: Plot (cause and effect), characterization, narration, description and dialogue. If you've written a good story but feel it could be more interesting, these 9 steps will help you transform it into a b...
January 23rd, 2017
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Finding an inspiring story premise: 6 sources
Every bestselling or critically acclaimed book began as a story premise. First came the idea the author wouldn't let go. How do you find a compelling premise, one that gives you enough intrigue, direction and potential development to build a book out of its concentrated creative material? 1: ...
April 18th, 2017
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8 foreshadowing laws: How to foreshadow right
What is foreshadowing? Generally, the term means a 'warning or indication (of a future event)' (OED). As a literary term, it means creating earlier scenes to build suspense, anticipation or understanding ahead of later plot developments. Learning how to foreshadow is a useful skill for creating ...
June 29th, 2017
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Writing an affecting novel: Examples of tone and mood
Tone and mood are two powerful elements of writing that affect how readers feel. Tone tells us a lot about characters - a protagonist whose tone is mostly sarcastic, for example, might seem jaded. Mood is closely tied to place. The atmosphere of a story setting, how characters feel about it, aff...
June 8th, 2017
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Structure of a novel: How to write a chapter
The structure of a novel is important because it contributes to the clarity and flow of your story. Chapter structure is satisfying when the beginning, development and end contribute equally to the whole. Read 7 tips to write well-structured chapters, including examples from great fiction: Fi...
July 20th, 2017
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Novel structure: 7 tips for structuring your book
Understanding how to structure a novel makes your story easier and more satisfying to read. Good structure creates plot clarity and cohesion. Read 7 tips for how to structure your book, including story structure examples from accomplished novels: 1: Understand basic story structure 2: Lear...
June 5th, 2017
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