
Why Paying Attention Makes You A Better Writer
Why is paying attention important for writers? Discover how observation can generate ideas and help you create better stories.

7 Things Dialogue Can Do In Your Story
Discover 7 ways to use dialogue in your story and learn how to make every conversation work harder for your characters and readers.

6 Tips For Writing Better Scene Transitions
Learn how to write better scene transitions with six simple tips and examples. Keep your story flowing and avoid confusing your readers.

What Is Steampunk? How To Write Steampunk Fiction
What is steampunk fiction? Discover its key themes, characters, technology, and conflicts, plus tips to write your own steampunk story.

4 Super Easy Ways To Create Characters For Short Stories
In short stories, we have less time to develop characters. In this post, we cover 4 super easy ways to create characters for short stories

The MacGuffin And Chekhov’s Gun: 2 Literary Devices Writers Should Know
Learn how writers use these literary devices – The MacGuffin and Chekhov’s Gun – to create suspense, drive plots, and keep readers hooked.

What Is Visual Storytelling? 10 Essential Techniques Every Writer Should Know
What is visual storytelling? Discover 10 essential visual storytelling techniques writers can use to create emotion, tension, and unforgettable characters in fiction.

What Is Mood? 140 Words To Describe Mood In Fiction
What is mood in fiction? Learn how to create it, with examples, and discover 140 words to describe mood in your writing.

5 Essential Exercises For Writing Dialogue
We are posting a series of Essential Writing Exercises. This post includes five essential exercises for writing dialogue.

What Is Fantasy Fiction? Plus A Fantasy Book Title Generator
Do you want to write fantasy? We answer the question: What is fantasy fiction? And we include a fantasy book title generator for writers.

Novels & Screenplays: What’s The Difference?
In this post, we look at the differences between novels and screenplays. We look at collaboration, costs, and choices, and we answer your question: Should

Janet Burroway’s 4 Aspects Of Narrative Time
What is Narrative Time? In this post, we look at how time works in a story through Janet Burroway’s 4 aspects of narrative time.

Traditional Publishing – Part Two
Last week we began our discussion about traditional publishing. This week, Mia Botha continues her interviews with Pan Macmillan South Africa, who answer our questions.

30 Excuses Not To Write Your NaNoWriMo Novel
In this post, our blogger takes a comic look at NaNoWriMo and includes 30 excuses not to write your NaNoWriMo novel.

Forewords, Prefaces, Prologues, & Introductions – What’s The Difference?
What’s the difference between forewords, prefaces, prologues, and introductions? We explain what they are, when to use them, and tips for writing them. We also

Traditional Publishing – Part One
In this post, we begin our video series on traditional publishing. Mia Botha interviews Terry Morris, MD of Pan Macmillan South Africa, who will answer

Horror Masters: 3 Spooky Tips To Write Like Lovecraft, Poe, & King
If you’re writing a scary story, there are no better writers to imitate than the masters of the horror genre. In this post, we’ve included

Self-Publishing – Part Four
In this post, we end our video series on self-publishing as an option for authors. This is part four, with the fourth video on self-publishing.

Billy Collins’s 6 Pleasures Of Poetry
Do you want to capture your reader’s attention? In this post, we explain how Billy Collins’s 6 pleasures of poetry will help you become a

50 Verbs That Will Strengthen Your Writing Immediately
People tell us to use strong, descriptive verbs, but what does this mean? In this post, we look at 50 verbs that will strengthen your