Is Your Premise Worth Your Time (or Anyone Else’s)?
Most fiction writers are clear about the inciting incident or initial disturbance that has to come near the start of…
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4 Ways to Bring Out Theme in Your Story
Theme is such an important element of story, regardless of medium. Even visual arts, such as paintings or sculture, tell…
Your Premise Determines Your Characters
When I think about the many novels I’ve written, I realize I don’t always start with a plot idea. Sometimes…
The Challenge of Creating Powerful Settings
Setting is so often overlooked or pushed to the background in fiction. But it is, perhaps, one of the most…
The Essential 3 M’s of Character Setup
This post originally ran on Jane Friedman’s blog. Understanding these “3 M’s” is crucial if you want to craft believable…
Tips on Making Your Adventure Story Convincing
Today’s guest post is by Zarrah Felton. Do you love stories that can both spark your imagination and leave you…
Spin That Captivating Tale
Today’s guest post is by Carla D. Bass. Rumpelstiltskin spins straw into gold. An author employs an intriguing plot, captivating…
Creating Tension in Fiction Scenes
Today’s guest post is by Erick Mertz. One of the things writers commonly ask me is, how do I create…
Momentum and Pace—Giving Readers a Satisfying Ride
Today’s guest post is by Tiffany Yates Martin. Imagine you’re trying to get to LA on a cross-country road trip…
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