• 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

    - By 

    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…

  • Thousands have credited NaNoWriMo in helping them finish a writing project. Here are 10 ways you can get a jump start and be prepared for NaNoWriMo...

    10 Ways to Prepare for NaNoWriMo

    - By 

    We’re a few weeks out from the biggest novel writing challenge of the year: National Novel Writing Month! Every November, writers from around the world dedicate themselves to cranking out a 50,000-word first draft manuscript in 30 days. Tons of writers have gone on to publish their books after the challenge, and thousands have credited the process to help them finish a writing project that’s been sitting on their hearts for years. If this is the year you’ve decided to write your novel, you still have plenty of time to finish the first draft before the end of the year,…

  • There are 2 approaches to writing: writing a lot & writing well. To produce quality writing you must employ both approaches. Let’s dive deeper:

    Writing a Lot Versus Writing Well

    - By 

    I think back to some college literature courses I took, and the required length of papers I had to turn in. It wasn’t uncommon to have to produce an eight-page essay, but hitting that page count was hard every single time. I found myself using filler words, expanding my sentences to take up more space. I traded direct and pointed sentences for ones that were way too long and wordy—and sometimes a little redundant. I think that focus to get as many words on paper sticks with us as writers, but it shouldn’t. In fact, when writing a book, the…

  • Being a self-taught writer is much easier to do thanks to the internet and the hundreds of writing books at our fingertips. Here are 5 resources to use...

    Resources For Self-Taught Writers

    - By 

    Starting to write without any previous writing courses or education under your belt doesn’t have to be a setback. In fact, you’d be surprised to learn just how many successful writers were self-taught. Both Jane Austen and Mark Twain, among many others, largely taught themselves the craft of writing. The difference now is, self-education is much easier to attain than it was for Austen or Twain. This is thanks to the internet and the hundreds of writing books at our fingertips. Here are 5 tried and true resources to use: 1. Bookmark Merriam-Webster Dictionary on your computer By having quick and…