• 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…

  • How to Write a Poetry Collection

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    From Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson to Timothy Liu and Audre Lorde, it is clear that each of these poets has a special knack for words. All possess a unique style and voice, and they all write about topics that are important to them. If you are a poet and are thinking about writing a poetry collection, here are some tips to get started and ensure that your work truly reflects what you feel. What Is a Poem? With modern poetry becoming more and more experimental, it is sometimes difficult to determine what a poem is. Poetry can be a million different…

  • Rise of the Hero: Writing the Hero’s Journey Arc

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    Imagine this. A youth who lives a carefree life is suddenly thrust into a situation where they must leave behind everything they know to embark on a journey full of uncertainties and dangers to accomplish a specific task. Along the way, they meet companions and other unusual characters who either aid them or try to stand in their way. The events that unravel during this journey all lead up to one ultimate decision, one ultimate goal to make what had ultimately gone wrong right again. The youth succeeds, becoming a hero in the process, and they are rewarded with the…

  • man reaching hand out with palm up, how to write a self-help book

    How to Write a Helpful Self-Help Book: 7 Key Steps

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    Whether you’re an expert in your field or just have a passion for helping others, self-publishing a self-help book can be a rewarding experience. For a self-help book to be helpful for readers though, it needs to hit some key points. Your back cover copy needs to clearly identify the issue your book will address and your content needs to make it easy for readers to put your advice into action in their own lives. Here are seven key points every self-help book needs for it to be helpful: 1. Identify the Issue Your Self-Help Book Will Address The first…