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Writing under lockdown: 7 positive ideas
How do we write and create during uncertain times? Writing under lockdown or self-isolation during the Coronavirus pandemic may feel both impossible (due to lost focus or urgent priorities) and a necessity. Having a creative outlet, distraction and a way to play is good for mental health. Here a...
March 23rd, 2020
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How to write dystopian fiction: 9 core ideas
Why do authors write dystopian fiction? A dystopia is an inherently interesting setting. Strife-riddled worlds provide strong backdrops for characters' fears and motivations. They provide testing grounds for acts of bravery or cowardice, and for stories of tragedy as well as hope. Here are 9 t...
March 16th, 2020
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7 ways developmental editing elevates your work
Completing the draft of a story is a great achievement. Yet 'Now what?' often follows. Developmental editing is valuable for enhancing your manuscript (and your writing skills in general). Comprehensive developmental editing helps you: 1. Catch flaws and enhance your work Copy editing tidi...
March 10th, 2020
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Characters of personality: 7 concepts for richer stories
Remembering characters of personality such as extroversion and introversion will help you create characters who contrast with each other. Here are 7 ways to use concepts of personality to create a richer cast of players: How to create characters with personality Use the 'Big Five' persona...
March 2nd, 2020
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Mythical creatures list: 6 fantasy inspirations
Authors through the ages have found story inspiration in mythical creatures. From fauns and mermaids to the more unfamiliar, here is a mythical creatures list (with examples from books) to inspire your own fiction: 1. Fauns 'Hybridity' is a common element in many mythical creatures. Biolog...
February 24th, 2020
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Editing and revising: 7 tips from top authors and editors
Editing and revising are often seen as the 'slog' part of writing. Yet there is imagination and creativity in this stage of writing, too. Read 7 respected authors' and editors' ideas and methods: 1. Eliminate 'puffy' writing In Stephen King's On Writing, King describes a useful note he rec...
February 17th, 2020
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What the best fantasy series teach us: 7 lessons
The best fantasy series offer many lessons in building magical worlds and fantastical escapades. Read 7 lessons from series by Le Guin, Tolkien, Pratchett, Lewis and others: 1. Create magic with the details The 'rules' for world building are similar to the rules for writing realism. Detail...
February 3rd, 2020
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Write with purpose: 7 ways to keep drafts focused
As in memorable music where each note feels carefully considered, many great books have a strong sense of underlying purpose. How do you write with purpose and direction? Here are 7 ways to keep drafts focused: 7 ways to main your draft's focus: Use a flexible outline Write the last lines...
January 27th, 2020
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World building tips: Writing engaging settings
World building tips often focus on fantastical genres such as fantasy and sci-fi, because they involve creating worlds different to our own. It's important to create immersive, interesting and believable settings, whatever your genre. To build a detailed world, one to rival Westeros, Hogwar...
January 16th, 2020
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What makes a plot intriguing? 6 ideas
What makes a plot keep you turning pages? Plot has many moving parts. Incidents and elaborations, causes and effects, doubling back and forecasting approaching events. Learn more about the relation between 'plot' and 'story' and ways to make your plot more captivating: 1. Elaborate your story...
January 13th, 2020
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Your writing process: 7 habits for success
The writing process is often spoken about in near-mystical terms. Sit in the right chair, at the right desk. Burn some sage. Turn around three times before you sit down to write. Yet anyone can build a successful writing process. Here are 7 key habits to reach your writing resolutions: 1. Kee...
January 7th, 2020
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The decade in writing: 10 insights from 2010-2019
The past decade gave us everything from viral K-pop hits and ice bucket challenges to the first photo of a black hole. The 2010s also saw many interesting moments in writing and publishing. Read 10 insights from authors' interviews, conversations and tributes from the past decade: 1. Write fr...
December 23rd, 2019
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