

What Is A Denouement?
In this post, we ask: What is a denouement and how do we write one? And more importantly, does your book need a denouement?
Definition Of An Inciting Moment By John le Carre
To find out more about inciting moments, look at these posts: Why Is This Day Different? Knowing When To Start Your Story The Importance of Inciting

10 Perfectly Practical New Year’s Resolutions For Writers
It’s time to make those dreaded New Year’s Resolutions for writers. Here are some practical goals for writers.

10 Ways To Get Out Of Writer’s Rut
In this post, we discuss why you think you have writer’s block and stop writing. We also list 10 ways for you to get yourself

3 Simple Ways To Show And Not Tell
Telling should be used sparingly because it distances the reader from the character’s goals and actions. Here are 3 simple ways to help you show

Underlying Emotions
Use this chart to help you understand what lies beneath your characters’ feelings. These are their Underlying Emotions.

All About Cinderella – Kurt Vonnegut Explains The Shapes Of Stories
In this video, American novelist, Kurt Vonnegut explains the shape of stories.

The 5 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes
After teaching writing for many years, we have identified the 5 most common fiction writing mistakes made by debut writers.

30 Inspiring Tips For National Novel Writing Month
Writing 1667 words a day for 30 days during the month of November – also known as NaNoWriMo – is a good way to add

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.