According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a short story is defined as an invented narrative that’s shorter than a novel, deals with a few characters, and often concentrates on the creation of mood rather than plot. A short story can come in varying shapes and sizes: Traditional: 1,500-5000 words Flash Fiction: 500-1,000 words Micro Fiction: 5-350 words Writing a short story can sometimes be more difficult than writing a full novel. You have to captivate your readers, take them on a journey to a different world, and create character and story depth, all in under 5,000 words. That is why your first…
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New Year, new book! If you’re an aspiring author determined to publish in 2023 or a writer just wanting to increase their productivity, this list of tips is for you. Here are 5 ways to set and stick to New Year’s writing goals: 1. Create an action plan. Just writing down a list of goals isn’t enough this year. Take time to create an action plan for every goal you want to achieve. Be honest with yourself and make sure it’s a realistic action plan that you can stick to. The action plan should include quantifiable milestones, like hitting a…
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For writers, there is one important festivity that takes place right before the holidays. The writing event of the year — NaNoWriMo — starts November 1, and we want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible if you’re planning on participating in the 30-day sprint to a 50,000-word first draft of your next novel. Take the remaining days of October to prepare yourself with our 10 easy steps: 1. Gather your tools. Before you can participate, you have to decide what tools you’ll be using to complete your 50,000 words. First, make sure your computer is fully updated and…
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There are several ways to keep yourself and your writing organized. One is a writer’s notebook and the other is to create and maintain your style sheet. Keeping all your ducks in a row as you write a book is no small feat! Let’s face it, you’re trying to keep track of the tiniest details that live within 50,000 or more words. Plus, you have way more important things to figure out, like your climactic moment and how to actually end your story. What is a style sheet? A style sheet is a document you add your preferences to regarding…