• 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…

  • 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

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    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,…

  • Why Your Writing Project Needs a Deadline

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    The likelihood of achieving a goal without a deadline is pretty slim. We can continuously punt tasks lacking a due date down the field, and before we know it we’ll have pushed certain goals into the next year. To ensure you reach your writing goals, it’s important to set both small and large deadlines for yourself. Small goal achievements help you feel like you’re making progress, and that deadline to have your book completely written will give you a date on the calendar to work toward. We all work at our own pace. This month, thousands of people will participate…

  • Creating a cast of characters for your novel? Free tips on characterization from our staff in honor of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)!

    Novel Writing: Creating a Cast of Characters

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    Hello writers! Hopefully, you’re each waist-deep in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). If you haven’t started yet, or have fallen off the wagon just a bit, just jump right back on! The only thing standing between you and a finished novel is your hesitation. And you, sweet writer, have nothing to lose! As you pound away at your 1,667 words per day, start thinking about characterization. That may sound like a complicated term to some, but it’s simply the process of creating characters in your story. Give them depth, quirks, and their own unique imprint in the storyline. There are…