Action! Today, we are taking a more cinematic approach to novel outlining as this method has roots in screenwriting. It focuses on writing the novel out in the progression of scenes that make up the plot. Why 60 scenes you may ask? That’s because 60 is generally the number of scenes in a screenplay. AndContinueContinue reading “The 60-Scene Method to Plotting A Novel”
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Dive into these 13 Summer Beach-Read Tropes
We are well into the dog days of summer! And while the days are longer and hotter, my novels of choice this time of year tend to be shorter and rapid in consumption. Yes, we’re talking beach reads in all their light-hearted glory. The beach read is so coined as it’s a perfect companion suitedContinueContinue reading “Dive into these 13 Summer Beach-Read Tropes”
Writing About Other Cultures – How To Do it Right
As writers, we find inspiration all around us. However, the adage “write what you know” can feel pretty limiting. I once heard the alternative said for an approach to fiction writing––“write what you want to know.” This variation allows us to expand our knowledge base and write outside of our own lifestyle. It champions writersContinueContinue reading “Writing About Other Cultures – How To Do it Right”
15 Holiday Tropes + More
I, personally, am trash for tropes and believe they make the world of fiction go ’round. But love ’em or hate ’em, there’s something about holiday tropes that hit a little extra. This article is dubbed “holiday” as it centers on the tropes we often see in rom-coms around the winter holidays. But I willContinueContinue reading “15 Holiday Tropes + More”
How to use Sanderson’s Laws of Magic to Build a Better (fantasy) Story
Coincidentally, this is not in reference to the Hocus Pocus Sanderson Sisters, but instead is a system of three laws developed by fantasy author, Brandon Sanderson. I first heard of the Sanderson Laws of Magic while listening to the Writing Excuses podcast (which is a podcast I recommend to newbies and seasoned writers alike). AsContinueContinue reading “How to use Sanderson’s Laws of Magic to Build a Better (fantasy) Story”
Word Choice – How Anglo-Saxon vs. Latinate origin words can impact your writing
This article is not intended to be a grammar lesson. Instead, I want this to call attention to something I found fascinating. Since researching word origins, it has educated my word choice while writing to have a stronger intention. I strongly advocate writing with intention. It’s the same way I believe you need to understandContinueContinue reading “Word Choice – How Anglo-Saxon vs. Latinate origin words can impact your writing”
Instagram for Writers – With Guest Author S.E. Schneider
This month’s guest article is written by my fabulous critique partner who is absolutely incredible, the lovely S.E. Schneider. She brings us her unique insights on storming the Instagram platform and taking no prisoners! With close to 13k of her own followers, she knows a thing or two about being a writer on Instagram. InstagramContinueContinue reading “Instagram for Writers – With Guest Author S.E. Schneider”
How to Write a Story that Stays Interesting
When thinking about our favorite books, these are usually the ones you simply cannot put down and read over again with equal levels of delight. Our favorite stories are ones that hold our interest and captivate us from start to finish. The middle of a story is often the hardest to keep interesting, there isContinueContinue reading “How to Write a Story that Stays Interesting”
Writing with the Phenomenon Aphantasia – with Guest Author Sarah Wallace
We writers have vivid imaginations. If you’re someone like me, I picture so many pieces of my story in my head before I write it––characters, settings, clothing, you name it! I’m someone who has a very active mind’s eye, which is why I tend to get positive feedback on my scene-setting and visual imagery inContinueContinue reading “Writing with the Phenomenon Aphantasia – with Guest Author Sarah Wallace”
How to Write Satisfying Enemies to Lovers
This trope is hands down one of my favorite writing tropes, probably out of all of them, but definitely out of the romance tropes. What I’ve discovered is I’m not alone in finding such enjoyment and satisfaction in watching sworn nemeses shed their differences, find common ground, and fall in love. The keyword here isContinueContinue reading “How to Write Satisfying Enemies to Lovers”
Newbie to Novelist 