Menu
Navigate your
writing journey
Learn how to successfully publish your book.
Finding good story ideas in your genre
Finding good story ideas in your genre is easier when you read broadly and know your genre well. Read tips for finding and developing an idea that will appeal to other fans of your genre: Read widely and know your market Brainstorm the 5 W's Think about the kinds of story ideas that mak...
December 11th, 2017
Read post...
Creating villain motivations: Writing real adversaries
In fiction, villains come in all guises and disguises, from scheming rulers to domineering family members or peers. Learn how to write villain motivations that make sense. For a look detailing what makes a character a villain, an antagonist or an anti-hero, read our in-depth post. 1. Explain...
November 27th, 2017
Read post...
Story climax examples: Writing gripping build-ups
Sometimes we overstate the importance of 'climax' in a story. After all, some novels end with anti-climax. Bret Easton Ellis even ends a novel mid-sentence. All the same, knowing how to create a gripping build-up is useful, especially if you're writing a fantasy or thriller. Here are tips gather...
November 23rd, 2017
Read post...
How to write a hook: 8 tips to lure in readers
Knowing how to write a hook is one of the key skills separating published from unpublished authors. Publishers want to know (among other things) that your book will appeal to an audience within the relevant market. How do you write a hook that makes readers lose track of time in book stores and ...
November 20th, 2017
Read post...
Character motivation examples: 7 tips for clear motives
Believable character motivations drive all of literature's most famous characters. Characters, like real people, have desires, wants and needs. They have motivations they're aware of and ones they aren't. These all impact the choices they make. Here are 7 tips for creating character motiva...
November 16th, 2017
Read post...
Writing descriptive sentences: 6 simple rules
Great descriptive writing brings story scenes to life. We see the flickering candlelit banquet halls or chaotic battlefields great descriptions conjure. Here are 6 tips to write descriptive sentences that are evocative: 1: Choose precise imagery (avoid overusing abstract nouns) We often th...
November 13th, 2017
Read post...
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...
November 6th, 2017
Read post...
Novel characters: 15 top character creation tips
Great novel characters share common features: Distinct, authentic voices, character development, clear goals and motivations, strengths and flaws. Here are 15 of our top character creation tips gathered from some of the best writing blogs and websites: 15 character creation tips for...
November 2nd, 2017
Read post...
Stop procrastinating: 9 ways to write more
Procrastination is the enemy of writers, of all creative people. If you've committed to writing a book or story but are avoiding the task, there are simple ways to write more. Try these strategies to boost your focus and motivation. [When you're done, join Now Novel for tools and support to stop...
October 26th, 2017
Read post...
Writing a novel in a month: 10 tips for plotters and pantsers
Streamlining your writing process is useful. Whether you're gearing up for a novel-writing challenge such as NaNoWriMo, or simply have a personal deadline. Here are 10 tips for writing a novel in a month: 1. Make preparations, even if you're a pantser Aspiring authors often describe themse...
October 23rd, 2017
Read post...
How to write a character unlike you
In this guest contribution by ESL teacher Ethan Miller, Ethan shares ideas for creating characters who are completely different from yourself. Character creation is a key element of writing a novel. Authors, knowingly or unknowingly, often create characters that borrow heavily from their own...
October 5th, 2017
Read post...
Worldbuilding societies: How to create a civilization
In novel-writing, world building is an important concept, especially in genres such as fantasy and science fiction that explore alternate worlds. Good world building questions will help you create a detailed and immersive world. Here are some questions to ask: First, what do we mean by 'civil...
October 2nd, 2017
Read post...
