Grammar & Punctuation,Writing for Authors Grammar Mistakes Writers Make: Affect vs. Effect—The Mix-Up Every Writer Makes You’re writing along, feeling brilliant, and then you hit that speed bump: affect or effect? Even seasoned writers pause at this one. The good news is that once you know the difference, it’s easier than you think to get it right every time.
Writing for Authors 7 Must-Have Elements of Writing Great Historical Fiction The best best historical fiction makes the past feel alive and relevant, using history as a lens to examine the eternal complexities of human nature. Let’s take a look at the key elements that elevate the genre.
Writing for Authors The Art of Deception: How to Write a Thrilling Mystery That Keeps Readers Guessing Writing a mystery isn’t just about creating a whodunit; it’s about becoming an architect of suspense, a master of misdirection.
Writing for Authors Writing for Different Age Groups: PB vs. MG vs. YA vs. NA vs. Adult Fiction Writing for middle grade (MG), young adult (YA), new adult (NA) and adult fiction each comes with its own expectations and boundaries. Understanding these differences will help you craft a story that resonates with the readers you’re aiming for.
Writing for Authors How to Write a Killer First Chapter That Hooks Readers A killer first chapter doesn’t just set the scene—it creates curiosity, sparks emotion, and leaves the reader thinking I need to know what happens next.
Writing for Authors Writing YA Fiction: What Works and What Doesn’t To connect deeply with teen readers (and the many adults who love YA), it’s important to understand what makes this category tick—and what can sink a story before it has a chance.
Writing for Authors How to Write Horror That Actually Scares: A Guide for Authors Who Want to Go Beyond Gore and Get Under the Reader’s Skin Writing horror that truly scares people isn’t just about blood, monsters, or loud noises. It’s about unease. Dread. That moment when the reader lowers the book and glances around the dark room, suddenly unsure of what’s in the shadows.
Writing for Authors The Power of Writing Sprints: How to Finish Your Book Faster Many writers struggle with productivity—not because they lack ideas, but because focus is fleeting and time is limited. Enter the writing sprint: a simple but powerful tool that can help you finish your book faster, beat procrastination, and even reignite your love for the craft.
Writing for Authors How to World-Build Like a Pro in Fantasy & Sci-Fi Whether you’re conjuring distant galaxies or ancient kingdoms, a richly layered world can transport readers so completely that they forget our own.
Writing for Authors How to Write Dialogue That Feels Real Crafting authentic dialogue is one of the most essential—and challenging—skills for any fiction writer. If your characters sometimes sound like robots, therapists, or exposition machines, this post is for you.
Writing for Authors 8 Tips on How to Write a Page-Turning Thriller: Secrets to Keeping Readers Hooked Whether you’re writing a psychological suspense, action-packed espionage, or a fast-paced crime novel, crafting a thriller that holds readers captive requires more than a good idea.
Writing for Authors Setting Your Story: Tips and Tricks to Help You Describe the Setting of Your Story Your setting is more than just a backdrop. It’s a powerful tool that shapes your story’s mood, grounds your characters, and subtly influences plot. But describing setting can be tricky—too much, and readers get bogged down. Too little, and the world feels hollow.
Promotion & Marketing,Publishing Tips,Writing for Authors Tips for Choosing a Book Title That Stands Out Whether you’re writing speculative fiction, romance, memoir, or thriller, your title is often the first hook for your book.
Writing for Authors The Best Plot Twists in Fiction (And How to Write Your Own) Few things electrify a reader like a well-executed plot twist. That sudden pivot in the story—where everything you thought you knew is upended—can take a good book and make it unforgettable.
Writing for Authors Writing Romance: How to Build Chemistry Between Characters When readers fall in love with a romance novel, it’s rarely just the plot that draws them in—it’s the chemistry between the characters. That electric, emotional, sometimes maddening pull between two people is what keeps pages turning and hearts fluttering. But how do you, as a writer, create that intangible spark on the page?
Writing for Authors The Psychology of a Great Villain: Writing Compelling Antagonists Authors spend countless hours building protagonists—layering trauma, dreams, flaws, and triumphs. But a truly unforgettable story often hinges on something else entirely: the strength of the villain.
Writing for Authors Writing Strong Female Characters: Beyond the Stereotypes A compelling female character—like any character—should be defined not by how much she punches or how stoically she suffers, but by the complexity, depth, and humanity she brings to the page.
Writing for Authors A Guide to Every Type of Literary Character—and How They Can Steal the Show in Your Writing When we talk about unforgettable books, we usually end up talking about characters. But creating standout characters isn’t about luck—it’s about understanding the roles they play.
Writing for Authors High Fantasy vs. Low Fantasy: Understanding the Divide in Speculative Fiction In the realm of speculative fiction, the terms high fantasy and low fantasy are often thrown around—but what do they actually mean?
