Writing a novel, essay, or even a blog post can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with the blank page. As writers, we often struggle with the pressure of getting everything “perfect” from the start, the idea that we have to know every detail before diving into a new writing project. That’s where the concept of…
The number of people who are able to do something perfectly the first time—whether we’re talking about writing a book, playing a new sport, learning a musical instrument, or cooking a new recipe—is practically zero. No one is perfect, especially right out of the gate. There’s no reason to expect that your first draft will…
Every reader has had this experience — you find a book you absolutely love. You devour it in a matter of hours, only to be left wanting more. In an effort to recreate the feeling of getting lost in a good book, you go looking for similar stories. You can dig through GoodReads reviews, scroll…
Every writer has their own process when it comes time to put pen to paper. While your approach is unique, it can be helpful to study the writing processes of writers similar to you. This will help you discover new tools and tricks to enhance your writing. Understanding the difference between the two main categories…
One of the most critical elements in fiction writing is dialogue. Realistic dialogue brings characters to life, adds depth to the story, and engages readers. Crafting dialogue that sounds natural can be challenging, but with the right techniques, you can master this essential skill. Crafting Realistic Dialogue: My Top Tips Here are some actionable tips…
There are a lot of factors I consider when thinking about my favorite books. I appreciate strong character development, a multi-faceted setting that feels real, flowing prose, and an engaging plot that keeps me glued to the page. But my favorite books of all time are the ones where I really see myself in the…
Whether you’re gearing up for a New Year’s reading goal or you want to try a shorter challenge to expand your literary horizons, you’re going to want some way to keep track of your progress. Setting a StoryGraph reading goal is a great way to keep an eye on how many books you’ve read over…
If you’re a writer who wants to publish their work, you’re going to face a lot of rejection. Whether you’re pitching your novel to agents or submitting short stories to magazines, there will inevitably be editors and publishers who turn you down. I started submitting my novel to agents and small presses in April of…
National Novel Writing Month — known as NaNoWriMo to practitioners — is an annual writing challenge in which participants set out to write 50,000 words of an original work in the month of November. While opinions on the event can be quite divided, there’s no denying that this challenge can be highly effective when approached…
Although the fantasy and science-fiction genres are well known for long tomes and series that encompass multiple volumes of magic and adventure, sometimes readers desire shorter narratives. Packing adequate world building, well-developed characters, and a plot full of quests and battles into 40,000 words or less is a feat not many writers endeavor to undertake….