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Dialogue 101: Using dialogue tags vs action tags
How do you show who's speaking in dialogue? When do you use 'she said'? When do you not? How else can you show a person's emotions or state of mind in conversation? Read definitions clarifying the uses of dialogue tags vs action tags, and examples that illustrate effective dialogue attribution: ...
August 3rd, 2020
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How to write character development: Anil's Ghost
In learning how to write character development, it's helpful to think about how each element of storytelling contributes. What are the basic facts about your character the reader should know, going in? What does dialogue do to develop your character further? Action? Narration? Description? Their...
July 27th, 2020
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The dinkus: 6 uses for scene breaks
The dinkus - a a typographic symbol between story or essay sections - is a source of confusion to many writers. To use, or not to use? What is a dinkus actually for? Read a definition of the dinkus, plus 6 ideas on creative ways to use them: Scene break markers: When to use a dinkus What ...
July 20th, 2020
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How to write a biography: 7 life-writing ideas
Biography - literally 'life writing' - poses a variety of challenges. Balancing historical narration and day-to-day incident, for example. Or choosing what to include and what to leave out. Read 7 ideas on how to write a biography, with examples from biographical writing: 7 life-writing ideas...
July 15th, 2020
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Writing graphic novels: 5 ways to enliven stories
Graphic novels offer engaging ways to marry text-based narrative and visual storytelling. Read 5 ways you can use elements such as illustrative style and strong symbols to enliven your story: Ideas for writing visual novels: What are graphics novels? Find the right visual style for you...
July 6th, 2020
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How to make dialogue in writing carry your story
Dialogue in writing is tricky to master, but good dialogue carries the story. Dialogue may build pace and conflict, add tone and atmosphere, introduce and develop characters and more. Here are 5 tips to make your dialogue serve multiple useful purposes: Making dialogue in writing drive your s...
June 29th, 2020
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Suspense in books: 6 ways to grow anticipation
Suspense in books is essential if you want to keep reader's rapt with anticipation, whatever your genre. How can you give readers that tightrope-walking feeling? Try these 6 suspense builders: How to build suspense in books: Show ambiguous action Add urgency Foreshadow uneasy situat...
June 22nd, 2020
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Development of characters: 6 intriguing ways we change
The development of characters is a topic blog readers and Now Novel members often ask us about. Creating an interesting, dynamic character arc is easy when you're aware of the many ways people change. Here are 6 interesting ways people change, plus tips to craft a compelling, engaging character ...
June 15th, 2020
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40 writing topics to inspire your next story
Getting inspiration through writing topics and prompts is one way to find your next story idea. Here are 40 creative writing prompts and topics organized by genre plus ways to come up with your own to find your own writing style and writing process. You might want to play around with these promp...
June 8th, 2020
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How to write love stories: 7 romance novelists' wisdom
Successful romance novelists offer many insights into how to write love stories that hook readers. Read 7 quotes that give insights into telling great love stories: How to write love stories according to romance writers: Decide on a primary conflict Write romance you want to read Su...
June 1st, 2020
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Building a bold narrator's voice: 5 methods
Building a memorable narrator’s voice is challenging. Try these 5 methods to fill your narrator with personality: 1. Suggest age via chosen language When the narrator is not involved in the story, is more of a passive observer, it’s fine not to give your narrator their own distinct persona...
May 26th, 2020
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Writing your best short story: 7 ideas
The best short story anthologies and collections show us how a brief snapshot can excite us, move us, surprise us, make us laugh. How do you write the best short story you can? Read 7 ideas: How to write the best short story possible: Learn from the great short story writers Choose an int...
May 18th, 2020
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