Menu

Team Now Novel

Contributor

Recent posts

Writing Chapter 2: Developing your opening hook

The opening chapter of a book needs to hook your reader. How? By creating intrigue, suspense, lovable (or at least compelling) characters and interesting setting or action. Writing chapter one is a challenge, yet for many authors writing chapter two is the stumbling block - how can you develop f...

February 19th, 2018

Read post...

Writing dialogue between multiple characters

The Oxford dictionary defines dialogue as 'a conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film' (OED). Yet the 'or more' (dialogue between more than two characters) is often confusing to write. How do you write and format dialogue well in a scene involving more t...

February 12th, 2018

Read post...

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

Read post...

How to start writing a book: Developing rough ideas

Many aspiring authors contact us with this problem: 'I don't know how to start writing a book. I only have a few rough ideas.' There are variations: 'I have so many ideas, but I'm not sure where to start,' for example. Yet the general theme is the same: How, in terms of actual steps, should I st...

January 25th, 2018

Read post...

12 international writing contests to enter this year

Writing contests are useful for developing your writing craft and giving yourself a deadline to finish something polished. Often, you receive valuable feedback from experienced judges. It's best to see writing competition prizes as a possible bonus. Treat international writing contests as exerci...

January 22nd, 2018

Read post...

Writing movement and action in dialogue: 6 tips

Great dialogue in fiction sweeps us up in the story. Movement and action in dialogue are two important elements that serve multiple purposes. Here are tips for writing dialogue that connects your characters to their world: How to use movement and action in dialogue writing: Use background...

January 15th, 2018

Read post...