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Story plots: 7 tips to be more original
Clichéd story plots weaken an otherwise good story, a story where characters and settings are vivid. To tell a story that feels original and inventive, it's key to learn plot clichés to avoid. Yet many original stories do use common tropes. The key is to make famous story types and scenario...
August 24th, 2017
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Writing styles: 10 tips to master ways of writing
Developing the story content of your writing – your characters, plots, dialogue and other areas – is important. Yet mastering different writing styles is equally important if you want to convey your story to readers with creative precision. Read 10 tips for developing and mastering your language...
August 3rd, 2017
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Plot twist ideas: 7 examples and tips for twists
A good plot twist adds intrigue, suspense or surprise to a novel. Plot twists are particularly popular in suspense-heavy novels such as murder mysteries, because they prolong suspense-creating questions about cause and identity. Read 7 examples of effective plot twists and what they teach us: ...
August 7th, 2017
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5 types of dialogue your novel needs
Dialogue is a key part of any character-driven novel. What characters say and how/why/when/where they say it is revealing. Read 5 types of dialogue your novel needs, and illustrative examples from books: 1: Dialogue introducing key characters Dialogue is useful for introducing characters b...
August 14th, 2017
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Realistic dialogue: 5 missteps to avoid
Realistic dialogue doesn't necessarily mimic everyday speech. There's a lot of real-world filler we remove when writing dialogue (e.g. pleasantries, 'Fine thanks and you?') Yet for dialogue to feel real, it's important to avoid missteps that make dialogue ring hollow: 1: Writing info dumps (t...
September 11th, 2017
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How to write a hook: 8 tips to lure in readers
Knowing how to write a hook is one of the key skills separating published from unpublished authors. Publishers want to know (among other things) that your book will appeal to an audience within the relevant market. How do you write a hook that makes readers lose track of time in book stores and ...
November 20th, 2017
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Story climax examples: Writing gripping build-ups
Sometimes we overstate the importance of 'climax' in a story. After all, some novels end with anti-climax. Bret Easton Ellis even ends a novel mid-sentence. All the same, knowing how to create a gripping build-up is useful, especially if you're writing a fantasy or thriller. Here are tips gather...
November 23rd, 2017
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Learn how to write as you read: Improve your craft
What is the one most common piece of advice established authors give aspiring ones? It's not 'show, don't tell' or 'kill your darlings'. It's 'read more'. Reading as much as you can helps you learn how to write as you read. Here are ideas for how to improve your writing through conscious reading...
January 18th, 2018
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Common pantser writing challenges (and how to solve them)
Are you a plotter or pantser? Pantsers write without planning while plotters prepare beforehand with extensive outlines. Both types of writing have their uses. Yet not having a plan sometimes creates problems. Here are common pantser writing challenges we've found coaching authors (and ways...
December 14th, 2017
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How to start a book: Getting process and story right
There are two sides to learning how to start a book: Deciding on a process for starting and finding the beginning of the story itself. Here are tips for both aspects: How to start a book: Refining your process It's key to have an idea of how to start writing a book before you wor...
January 29th, 2018
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What is a synopsis? Writing intriguing book summaries
What is a synopsis? It's a summary which provides, in one quick read, the unique and compelling aspects of a story. How do you write a synopsis that you can submit with confidence to publishers? Read on for summary-writing tips and examples. First: Beyond defining a synopsis - what should a s...
February 26th, 2018
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Writing a good book: 10 ingredients of great novels
Writing a good book is something every fiction writer aspires to. When writers ask for help writing a book, a popular question is 'Is my idea good enough?' Having a great story idea to start with helps. Yet a satisfying novel is a combination of many key components. Here are 10 ingredients that ...
March 8th, 2018
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