• 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,…

  • mountain laurel in the sunset; finishing your novel

    The End: Finishing Your Novel

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    By the time writers find themselves writing the ending to their story, they are 80,000 words—if not more—into their story. After months or years of getting their story on paper, writers may feel burned out, ready to be done, and wanting to be onto their next project. The downside of that, however, is that a novel’s ending needs a lot of attention to avoid leaving readers dissatisfied or thinking the writer took an easier route to tie the plot points together. That’s why finishing your novel on a strong note is important. The ending needs to be just as strong—or…

  • 5 Things To Know Before Writing A Novel

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    Writing a novel? Here is a list of 5 things you should know that will help you stay focused, motivated, and organized throughout your writing journey. 1. Deadlines Are Very Important. A deadline will push you to your limits and keep you writing even when you’re not motivated to write. Establish an estimated total word count (most novels are between 50,000 to 100,000). Create monthly, weekly, and daily goals that will help you stay accountable and meet your deadline. Remember to set attainable goals; if you can only write 500 words per hour, don’t make a 2,000-word count goal for…

  • Happy NaNoWriMo!

    Happy NaNoWriMo!

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    November is a busy month for writers: it’s National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo. What happens during NaNoWriMo? It’s simple really. To celebrate the only official book-writing month of the year, writers are encouraged to spend 30 days putting their fingers to the keyboard, completing a 50,000-word book by November 30th. One month. Boom. Done. You’re one step (a first draft) closer to becoming a published author. If you have struggled with finding the time and discipline to finish your book, this is one of the easiest ways to jump those hurdles. Your word count can vary from day-to-day,…