• How to Eliminate Distractions When Writing

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    Whether you are a professional writer or looking to make time to write your first book, eliminating distractions is a key element of your success. With family responsibilities, work, and technology, we are constantly bombarded with distractions, which makes it difficult to focus on our writing time. The good news is that several effective strategies can help you eliminate distractions and stay focused while writing. In today’s article, we’re discussing 10 tips to help you stay on track and produce your best work. 10 Ways to Eliminate Distractions When Writing Let’s jump into our recommendations: 1. Find a hideaway in…

  • road with future, past, present written on it, road is surrounded by grass and trees and sunset in the background; past tense or present tense

    Has My Story Happened, or Is it Happening Now? When to Write in the Past or Present Tense

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    Among the plethora of elements a writer has to consider when writing a manuscript is what tense they wish to write their stories in. The tense of a story is separate from the point of view it is told, but thankfully, there are only two tenses to choose between: past and present. In brief and relatively self-explanatory, past tense is used when telling a story that contains events that have already happened (whether in the distant past or recent past). Present tense, on the other hand, is used when telling a story of events that are currently happening or happening…

  • stack of books with plant as bookend and in front of white wall; Do I Need an Epilogue?

    Do I Need an Epilogue?

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    If you read a lot of novels, you’ve seen that some authors will use an epilogue at the end of their books. The sole purpose is to tie up loose ends from your story — or potentially set the readers up to expect a sequel. An epilogue has to be strong if it’s going to make it through a round of professional editing. If it’s not, you may get a note back from your editor that it needs to be incorporated into the actual ending of your novel. That’s the tricky part about epilogues — it can’t be used to hide the fact…

  • 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…