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8 story hook examples (how to grab attention)
A literary 'hook' in a story promises intrigue, entertainment and answers to the questions it raises. Far from the trickery of a bait and switch, a hook gives a true sense of what your reader can expect of your story's pleasures. Explore great story hook examples and what they teach us about sta...
June 26th, 2025
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Rising action that grips readers: 10 epic climax tips
What is rising action in a story? How do you make the build-up to the climax gripping, saturated with tension? Rising action is core to impactful dramatic structure. Learn all about it and read ten ideas and examples to make your story gripping: What is rising action? 'Rising action' refe...
June 26th, 2025
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How to Create a Fantasy World in 7 Steps
Discover how to create a fantasy world with step-by-step instructions, tips, and fantasy world examples from literature.
June 24th, 2025
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Best Writing Apps for Authors (2025) — 26 Tools Compared
Are you looking for the best app to write a novel? We've compared 26 apps. Discover the best writing apps for authors to help you plot, write, edit, and format your book.
June 24th, 2025
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55 Positive Character Traits - And How to Use Them
Think of your favorite fictional character, and try to describe why you like them in just a few words. Maybe they’re strong, friendly, and wise; or perhaps they’re honest, resourceful, and passionate — no matter what combination of characteristics it is, odds are you've identified something fundamental that makes their personality compelling.
June 23rd, 2025
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Suspense writing: Examples and devices for tenser stories
Suspense refers to both genre and a storytelling device that creates tension and builds your reader's desire to find out. Read suspense writing examples, learn suspense-adding story devices you can use, and what experts at creating suspense say. What is suspense? Suspense (defined by Oxfor...
June 23rd, 2025
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7 Proven Tips to Improve Your Writing Skills
Learn how to improve your writing skills with practical tips on planning, style, editing, and storytelling.
June 20th, 2025
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8 Setting Examples From Bestselling Fiction
Explore 8 setting examples from recent fiction – from magical libraries to Martian deserts – and learn how to craft immersive, powerful settings in your own stories.
June 13th, 2025
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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?
June 11th, 2025
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Dialogue words: Other words for 'said' (and what to avoid)
Writing effective, compelling dialogue has multiple elements. It's not only what characters say but how they say it that matters. Read other words for said as well as tips for keeping your dialogue natural and engrossing: What is a 'dialogue tag' (or speech tag)? Tags (like name tags) iden...
June 11th, 2025
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Person vs society: 6 types of story conflict
External conflicts in fiction - conflicts between characters and outside sources rather than inner battles - are an important part of storytelling. 'Man vs society' (or, rather, person vs society) is a conflict authors often use to explore society and culture. This conflict in literature ex...
June 11th, 2025
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Adjectives for description: 60 precise words
Finding the right adjectives for description is tough. Try these 7 tips, and create your own describing word dictionary: What is an adjective? Adjectives are parts of speech used to modify nouns. They describe and make people and things more specific. How do you identify an adjective? ...
June 11th, 2025
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