Writing Advice
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The Importance of a Great Opening Line
The importance of a great opening line cannot be overlooked, and writing one is a challenge every writer will encounter. As an author, I know how challenging it is to sit down and start writing a book – it’s why I created my step-by-step writing guide. But the opening line is a challenge all on its own. This introductory sentence will set the stage for the entire story that comes after. It will be your first impression on readers and those initial words must inspire them to keep reading. Over the course of my career, I have written 28 opening lines… some good, and some bad. Most were written before…
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The Role of Foreshadowing in Storytelling
Foreshadowing refers to subtle clues, hints, symbols, events, dialogue, actions, or descriptions that prepare the reader for something that will occur subsequently in the plot. It builds anticipation and hooks the reader, so they want to read more to see if their predictions come true. Foreshadowing sets reader expectations so the narrative threads tie together neatly rather than appearing random.
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Writing Great Female Fictional Characters
Characters drive your plot and can make or break a reader’s connection to your story. As an avid reader who doesn’t easily DNF, nothing will have me setting aside a book faster than failing to develop a connection to the character/s. To write exceptional main characters, you must have a good understanding of the different character archetypes: maiden, mother, warrior, sage, rebel, lover, queen, mystic, huntress & femme fatale.
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The Best Book Writing Software for Beginners
When it comes to book writing software, there are so many tools available today that it can be difficult to know where to start. Scouring through Word processors and specialized writing software can be hugely overwhelming and make one crave the simplicity of the typewriter. Having written 28 books, I can tell you which writing software I've found worth the price tag.
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Writer’s Block and how to overcome it.
Have you ever spent ten minutes staring at a blank page... or started a new paragraph and had no idea what to write? Writer's Block is one of the most frustrating phenomena an author can face. The inability to write, especially when under a deadline, can have far-reaching consequences and negatively impact your career. Fortunately, there are things you can do to snap out of this frustrated state of mind.
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Common Writing Mistakes New Authors Make
The most common mistakes that new authors make, and how to avoid them.
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All About NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program
The NaNoWriMo Young Writer's Program is for aspiring writers under the age of eighteen.
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What is NaNoWriMo?
How to write a 50k word draft during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)
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The Best Books on Writing
This list of recommended craft books for writers provides valuable advice from seasoned authors. Continuous learning and self-improvement in writing is strongly encouraged.
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How to Write a Book: a Step-By-Step Guide
A comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to write a book, by award-winning author Melissa Delport. If you are new to authoring, start here.
