• If you’ve decided to participate in your first writing workshop you may be wondering what you can do to be best prepared. Keep reading for our do's and d...

    The Do’s and Don’ts for a Successful Writing Workshop

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    If you’ve decided to participate in your first writing workshop — either virtually or in person — you may be wondering what you can do to be best prepared for your time with other writers and how to make the most of that time. Since a writing workshop typically takes place with a small group of writers and a professional to oversee the activity, you’ll most likely receive specific instructions for how to prepare for the workshop. Since you’ll be trading writing pieces with others in the class, you will need to have your writing in the best possible shape.…

  • For writers, there is one important festivity that takes place right before the holidays: NaNoWriMo. We want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible...

    Gearing Up for NaNoWriMo

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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…

  • There are several ways to keep yourself and your writing organized. One great way is by creating and maintaining a style sheet ...

    Style Sheets 101: Why You Need One

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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…

  • Plot holes can typically go undetected. To start identifying plot holes within your work, you have to know what you’re looking for. The different types o...

    What are Plot Holes and How to Avoid Them

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    Plot holes can creep up in any book genre, and typically go undetected for a while. To start identifying plot holes within your work, you have to know what you’re looking for. There are a few different types of plot holes: Continuity errors Something takes place that is impossible Storylines are unresolved at the end of the book Contradictions are embedded in the writing An illogical event takes place Now, that we know what plot holes are, we need to know how to avoid them. The most helpful way to avoid plot holes is to revise your work with strong…