• We've compiled some tips on how to keep your head in the game during this year's National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo): 1. Only end a writing sesh when..

    Stay On Track During NaNoWriMo 

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    National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is an annual event in which participants commit to writing a 50,000-word novel during the month of November. It began in 1999 as a challenge between friends, but it’s since grown into a global writing challenge with hundreds of thousands of participants each year. We’ve compiled some tips on how to keep your head in the game during this year’s NaNoWriMo. Disconnect. You know how people always say you need to unplug to be productive? Well, they’re annoyingly right. Turn off the TV, cellphone, stay away from the internet, all of it. If you need…

  • After reading an intense, significant scene, readers might need a little breather (scene break). Here are 4 other times to use a scene break in your novel..

    When to Use a Scene Break

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    Did you know the symbol—most commonly three asterisks—inserted between sections of text to break the scene is called a dinkus? Scene breaks serve many purposes, but one reason it’s used is to give readers a breather. Imagine reading an intense scene that holds a lot of significance, but the chapter doesn’t end when the scene ends. You’d need a little breather, right? That’s what the dinkus—or scene break—provides. Here are four other times to use a scene break. 1. When you want to transition from a present-day narrative to a flashback. A scene break is a useful writing tool when…

  • A flashback scene should be used to show crucial moments that led to a character’s present decisions and way of thinking. Here are 5 tips to successfully ...

    How to Write a Flashback Scene

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    One of the best ways to work in a backstory for a character is through a powerful flashback, but getting a flashback right requires a little more time and attention than you might think. First, know why you’re thinking about including a flashback scene in your novel. Flashbacks should be used to show crucial moments that led to a character’s present decisions and way of thinking. For characters’ memories or large jumps in time, use a flashback scene. Here are 5 tips to successfully add a flashback scene to your writing. 1. Do a quick outline. Writing a scene in your…

  • A character needs negative traits to stand out from others and traits that make them feel human. Here are 5 things you should know about your characters...

    How to Develop Your Characters

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    When it comes to developing characters, first-time writers often fall into two camps. The first camp doesn’t focus on creating character profile sheets and instead just wings it during their writing. The second camp thinks that a character should be as close to perfect humans as the writer can get them. Both of these can lead to very flat—somewhat boring—characters because they lack depth. The secret to developing a character that is strong, well-rounded, interesting is grittiness. Every single character needs some negative traits, some traits that make them stand out from others, and traits that make them feel human.…