
What Is A Red Herring?
In this post, we ask: ‘What is a red herring?‘ and give you examples of red herrings and how red herrings work in books and

The Book That Started It All
This is a story about the book that started it all – a Christmas story. A book is a gift that you can open again

7 Important Crime-Writing Guidelines
In this post, we have compiled 7 important crime-writing guidelines to help you write your mystery novel.

The Two Main Characters – A Writer’s Worksheet
If you are a beginner writer, use this worksheet to understand the two main characters in your story. See if your antagonist is a match

9 Ways To Make Readers Care For An Amoral Protagonist
What if you have a main character who is truly unlikeable? This post will help you to make your amoral protagonist more likeable.

A Perfect Mess – How We Learn From Our Writing Mistakes
How do we make the most of our writing mistakes? We learn from the messes of experimentation, not from the misery of hoping for perfection.

Find Your Funny – 11 Tips For Writing Humour
It’s difficult to be funny when you write and, in this post, we try to get you to find your funny and offer 11 tips

Rewriting Checklist For Authors
Once you’ve finished the first draft, the work begins. Use this rewriting checklist for authors to help you finish your book.

Plotting – 10 Basic Do’s and Don’ts
What are the most common plotting problems? Here are 10 basic do’s and don’ts for writers to follow when they’re plotting.

Holidays For Writers – Heaven or Hell?
This post is about holidays for writers. Are writers’ holidays a bit of heaven or a sentence in hell?

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.

What Is a Character Trait? 350 Essential Character Traits for Writers
What is a character trait? Delve into 350 character traits to help you choose the right positive and negative traits for building well-rounded characters in

How To Outline A Short Story – For Beginners
In this post, we share a template that will show you how to outline a short story, especially if you are a beginner.

How To Show & Not Tell In Short Stories
Master the ‘show, don’t tell‘ technique in short stories. Learn how to create immersive storytelling that draws readers in from the very first line.

What Is A Sub-Plot In Fiction? 6 Sub-Plots Every Writer Should Know
What is a sub-plot? Learn how sub-plots strengthen a novel. Explore six types of sub-plots writers can use to add depth, conflict, and emotion to