• As we head into the beautiful season that is fall, we thought we'd revisit this post: 5 Ways to Paint Fall into Your Writing.

    5 Ways to Paint Fall into Your Writing

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    Writing about fall. There’s a reason one of the first pieces of advice any professional offers to a new writer forging ahead on the publishing journey is, “Show, don’t tell.” Readers don’t want to be told, they want to be shown. So, how does one show information? If we use seasons or weather as an example, which can be used for metaphorical purposes within the telling of a story, we can begin to crack the code on showing, and not telling, information to the reader. Since most of The States are experiencing autumn right now, it’s a great example to use.…

  • Dipping your toes into the writing world? Starting with a novel or nonfiction book can be overwhelming. Start small—here's how to write a short story!

    Start Small: How to Write a Short Story

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    If you’re just dipping your toes into the writing world, starting with a full-length novel or nonfiction book may feel overwhelming. Short stories allow you to get a feel for composing a story with a beginning, middle, and end. It also helps you tackle character development and a thorough plot structure without having to devote hundreds of hours to an 80,000-word manuscript. Short stories can also help pay attention to the complexities that come with the necessity of succinct word choice and help you hone your writing style and tone. The Basics of a Short Story Here are 5 simple…

  • You’ve probably heard the old adage that the best writers are the best readers. Here are 5 books you should be reading to improve your writing!

    5 Books Worth Reading for Writers

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    You’ve probably heard the old adage that the best writers are the best readers, but what should you actually be reading in order to improve your writing craft? Books published within the genre you’re writing will help you see the tone and style your future readers are accustomed to.  Reading other books in your genre isn’t about mimicking or copying, instead it provides insight into your book’s market. So, if you’re writing YA fiction, be sure to read up on popular novels in that genre. If you’re writing a self-help book geared toward couples who want to improve their relationships,…

  • Subplots, ever heard of them? Essential to a good novel, here's how you can incorporate them with ease, and why you need to.

    How to Add Subplots to Your Novel and Why You Need Them

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    While your main plot is solely focused on your protagonist and his or her outcome, subplots serve as side stories to the main plot and tend to focus on secondary characters. Subplots should not overpower the main plot, but instead, strengthen the story and more develop the theme of your novel. The How While short stories or children’s books under 8,000 words rely on a basic, linear plot structure (one plotline), any story over that 8,000-word mark should have one or more subplots (depending on the story’s length) woven into it. Treat each subplot as a mini-story, meaning they need…