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How to describe to immerse readers (complete guide)
Description terms and definitions Why description matters Types of description Describing characters Describing settings Descriptive writing devices Description pitfalls Description examples Knowing how to describe well is sure to immerse readers in your world. Rea...
January 30th, 2023
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Artificial intelligence for writing: 10 helpful AI uses
Artificial intelligence for writing? Will AI replace authors? These are questions that recur in recent writing about emerging AI tech. Alarm is a common response to change. Yet it's not all dystopian in outlook. Here are ten helpful AI uses for writers and reasons to play and explore: 10 ways...
January 23rd, 2023
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Writing dialogue: Complete guide to storied speech
What is dialogue? Key terms Why dialogue matters How to format dialogue Effective vs weak dialogue Dialogue devices Dialogue examples This guide to writing dialogue is all about using speech and conversation in storytelling to make your characters' voices drive plot, te...
January 16th, 2023
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Generating ideas for stories: 10 fun ways (plus prompts)
When you're stumped, generating ideas for stories may turn out to be surprisingly easy. Try these 10 fun approaches (and find prompts from the 'Craft Challenge' writing group on Now Novel): How to generate new story ideas: Try one of these methods to jog creative ideas: Pick words blind ...
January 9th, 2023
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Writing productivity hacks: How to write more and finish
The word 'productivity' sounds dry and technical, like something that belongs in a boardroom. Yet writing productivity - being able to create with the least possible stress and struggle - is what divides prolific from occasional authors. Let's explore ideas about productive habits and ways to cr...
January 2nd, 2023
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Writing coach Nerine Dorman on YA, sci-fi and fantasy
Nerine Dorman is an award-winning author who has been active in the publishing industry since 2007. She's proudly hybrid, with books published by traditional publishers, small presses and self-published. As an editor she works with authors from concept to the moment they press 'send', whether th...
December 12th, 2022
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Story setting and worldbuilding: Complete guide
Story setting terms Genre and setting Setting planning and research Developing settings Setting and conflict Describing settings Worldbuilding tips Use the links above to jump to the setting topic you're interested in right now. What is setting?: Key terms and co...
December 5th, 2022
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Revision in writing: How to improve between drafts
Revision in writing is the stage of the writing process during which you rewrite or make changes informed by how they will impact your composition as a whole. Keep reading for ideas on how to improve between drafts, and why revision is important. Steps and strategies for revision Revision ...
November 28th, 2022
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Writing first drafts: 10 ideas to reach final drafts
Writing first drafts is the stage of the writing process many authors find daunting. Read ten ideas and strategies to stay focused, reach your writing goals, and make this part of your writing process work for you. First draft to final draft: 10 ideas to try The drafting process in writin...
November 21st, 2022
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What is prewriting? Preparing to write with purpose
The writing process has seven core stages: Discovery/idea-finding, prewriting, drafting, getting feedback, revision, editing and publishing. What is prewriting, the first stage? Read a simple guide including prewriting strategies plus tips to make a preparatory process work for you. What is ...
November 14th, 2022
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Book title ideas: How to come up with the best
Finding a title for a book or story that is apt, intriguing and evocative is challenging. Read ten ideas for how to come up with a book title, with examples from classics and contemporary bestsellers: What types of book titles are common? Before we explore ways to title stories, what are c...
November 7th, 2022
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Story planning and outlining: Complete guide
Key story planning terms Why outline stories Book planning methods Tools to plan stories Authors on planning This guide to story planning and outlining explores common planning terms and techniques in fiction writing, free and paid tools to plan your story, authors on their...
October 31st, 2022
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