• row of books with ebook reader on top; writing the beginning of a book

    The Best First Lines of Fiction

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    By your side is a ratty notebook, bruised black and blue with the smeared ink of furiously scribbled ideas that came to you at midnight, dotted with translucence from the epiphany you had about your villain, while still wet from a shower.  You’ve finally decided to write the story that has been stirring around in your heart and mind—now what do you start typing on that blank page facing you? How do you introduce readers to the crazy, beautiful world in your head?  Starting a novel is tricky, but those first few lines are vital to your book. The characters, setting,…

  • Set the Scene for Writing Success

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    Most writers have a routine they like to follow, and bless your heart if you suggest changing it. Maybe you like to curl up on the couch with a notepad and pencil, or perhaps you have worn your imprint into the best seat at a coffee shop (you know the one: right next to an outlet, a table, and a window). Every now and then, though, it does the writer’s soul good to evaluate if your writing process is really working you, and find some easy solutions to shake it up a bit. 1.) What writing phase are you completing? It is no…

  • The Best Writing Tool You Aren’t Using

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    Everyone knows about a certain digital pinboard, known as the procrastinator’s best friend, the party planner’s go-to inspiration, and the foodie’s favorite recipe archive. But, as a writer, have you ever thought about how you can use Pinterest to develop your scene descriptions, hone your style, and actually see your characters take shape? Here are just some of the ways to use Pinterest for authors.  1. Online Inspiration Board From characters to settings, there is no better way to write with powerful sensory detail than to be looking right at your inspiration. Think about creating boards for your protagonist, antagonist, and even other main…

  • Said Is Dead: 141 Synonyms for “Said”

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    You are doing everything possible to make your writing better, tighter, and more interesting, but are you still using “dead words?” These are words that are simply just too plain, bland, and vague to be included in your awesome writing. One of the most notorious “dead words” is “said.” But dialogue is important! I hear you. It is also important to show readers exactly how something is communicated. Think: what emotion is behind this dialogue? What picture do I want to paint? This is where synonyms come in handy.  To help you get started, we compiled a list of alternatives to the dreaded “said.” With this…