🎉 NowNovel has a new look! Allow us to introduce ourselves.
Finding story topics when stuck: 5 simple methods
Story topics are all around us, yet having a wide breadth of choice can be daunting. Sometimes we know what we want to write already, at least vaguely, as it's the reason we've chosen to write a book in the first place. Yet what if you're between projects and can't think of a new idea? Or you si...
May 3rd, 2018
Read post...
What is a plot point? Find and plan clear story events
What is a plot point, and why is it helpful to think in terms of plot points? Read on for a definition and tips for making significant events in your novel or story count: What is a plot point? Many writers attach strict roles and functions to plot points. Some say, for example, a first pl...
April 26th, 2018
Read post...
Quotes for writers: 35 global authors' advice
Respected authors from around the world often share useful advice and ideas on writing. World Book Day is all about celebrating 'the power of books to promote open and inclusive knowledge societies', as UNESCO says. With that in mind, here are valuable insights from authors from the USA to Peru,...
April 23rd, 2018
Read post...
Writing techniques to polish your prose
Writing techniques make individual authors' styles distinctive. From poetic devices (such as metaphor and simile) to narrative strategies, writers use various literary techniques and in doing so create their (often unmistakable) personal styles. Here are writing techniques you can use to elevate...
April 12th, 2018
Read post...
How to begin a novel: 8 ways to captivate
How satisfying is a novel that sinks its hooks in from the first page? Knowing how to begin a novel so that you captivate readers from the first chapter is key to writing a publishable book. Here are 8 ways to begin your book compellingly: 1. Begin a novel by making your reader need answ...
April 9th, 2018
Read post...
How to build narrative pace using grammar
There are multiple factors that determine narrative pace, the rate at which your story's narrated action unfolds. Tone and word choice are two factors. Yet having a good command of grammar helps too. Try these tips to build better pacing: 1. Master the participial phrase A participle is a ...
April 5th, 2018
Read post...
Archetype examples: Write great characters from universals
Archetypes are useful for imagining diverse, interesting characters. Literature is full of jesters and jokers, lovers, warriors, wise sages, and fools. Some of these are literal (the fool is a literal court jester who entertains a king), others metaphorical (the 'class clown' who loves to entert...
March 29th, 2018
Read post...
Protagonist examples: Creating memorable main characters
What makes a protagonist or main character interesting and able to carry an entire novel or series? Explore protagonist examples from classic and contemporary fiction below, including tips to make your main character memorable: First, a protagonist definition The word 'protagonist' stems f...
March 26th, 2018
Read post...
Good character flaws: Create complex antagonists
Good character flaws are key to a believable character. Flawed characters create suspense - we wonder whether their flaws will get the best of them. The imbalances in their natures may create weaknesses that give others the upper hand. Here are tips to create flaws for antagonists or villains (i...
March 22nd, 2018
Read post...
Plot structure: How to shape an intriguing plot
Plot structure or narrative structure is a key element of story. Even the most simple children's stories have story events that relate to each other, showing intriguing cause and effect, action and reaction. Here are tips for shaping your story so there is satisfying connection between scenes an...
March 19th, 2018
Read post...
Character flaws: Creating lovable imperfections
Character flaws serve multiple purposes. Often, they're the faults and shortcomings that create conflict between key players in a story. Yet flaws are also useful for creating attraction between characters. Without them, characters feel wooden, 'too perfect'. Without them, attraction might ...
March 15th, 2018
Read post...
Foreshadowing in a sentence: Connecting story events
Foreshadowing is one way to connect scenes in a story across your longer story arcs. Here are examples of how to use foreshadowing in a sentence, along with related foreshadowing tips: 1. Foreshadowing characters' fates in exposition Foreshadowing (literally 'showing before') is usefu...
March 12th, 2018
Read post...
