
Worldbuilding: The Ultimate Setting Checklist For Writers
Where your story is set is important. Use this ultimate worldbuilding and setting checklist to create richer, more believable fictional worlds for any genre.

Show Don’t Tell: 5 Simple Techniques Every Writer Should Know
Learn how to master the ‘Show Don’t Tell’ technique with five simple writing strategies. This post includes clear examples to help writers create more engaging

7 Benefits Of Keeping A Diary – For Writers
Creative writing teachers say writers should keep a diary. So, why don’t we? Maybe because we don’t see the point? Or because we don’t know

5 Secret Tricks To Strengthen Your Writing
Use this post to learn five secret tricks to strengthen your writing. We share practical before-and-after examples to show how small changes can make your

20 Fun Ways To Find Plot Ideas For Your Story
Struggling to come up with a story idea? Discover 20 fun and creative ways to find plot ideas worth turning into your next novel.

All About Pacing: 4 Key Questions Every Writer Should Ask
Learn how to control pacing in your writing with these four essential questions. Discover the structural techniques writers use to shape the rhythm and flow

Past Tense Or Present Tense: Which Works Best For Your Story?
We compare past tense and present tense in fiction, exploring the advantages and disadvantages of each and asking the question: which works best for your

What Is Genre? A Guide To The 17 Most Popular Fiction Genres
What is genre in fiction? In this guide, we explore the 17 most popular fiction genres to help you understand genre conventions.

How To Write A Spy Novel
Want to learn how to write a spy novel? We explain how to write a spy novel, create believable spies, and build tension with plots

How Writers Use The Protagonist As A Literary Device
What is a protagonist in fiction? Learn how to use the protagonist as a powerful literary device to shape and strengthen your novel.

Who Are The 3 Characters Driving Your Plot?
Who is responsible for moving the story along in your books? In this post, we write about the three characters driving your plot.

So You Want To Be A Writer? By Charles Bukowski
This post includes a poem from Charles Bukowski on wanting to be a writer.

Is There Merit In Telling And Not Showing?
In this post, we explore if there is merit in telling and not showing in the books you write. Danielle Steel, who has sold 1

5 Ways Setting Affects Your Characters
Setting shapes us, and where we were born and where we grew up make a difference. We have put together a list of 5 ways

3 Ways To Use Inverted Dialogue In Your Story
In this post, we discuss three ways to use inverted dialogue in your story.

3 Lines To A Better First Draft Of Your Novel
We talk about writing 3 lines to help you write a better first draft of your novel. It is a great test for your story

Short Story Day Africa – 21 June
‘Short Story Day Africa has established a day, 21st June – the shortest day of the year – on which to celebrate the diversity of

5 Ways To Kick-Start Your New Short Story
Are you struggling to start your short story? In this post, we give you 5 ways to kick-start your short story.

How To Identify Your Protagonist And Antagonist
If you are writing a story, we have put together this post to help you identify your protagonist and antagonist in more detail.

Neil Gaiman On Making Good Art
In this post, we’ve shared advice from British author, Neil Gaiman on making good art.