Why Your Backstory Is Suffocating Your Story
The Real Reason Your Backstory Is Suffocating Your Story Backstory has gotten complicated with all the conflicting advice flying around. Cut it entirely. No, weave...
Why Your Characters All Sound the Same Voice
The Real Reason This Happens Character voice has gotten complicated with all the conflicting writing advice flying around. But here’s the thing nobody actually says...
How to Write a Scene That Does Three Things at Once
Why So Many Scenes Feel Like Filler Even When They Aren’t Scene-writing has gotten complicated with all the conflicting advice flying around. As someone who...
How to Write the First Page of a Novel
Why First Pages Fail Before the Story Even Starts First pages have gotten complicated with all the conflicting advice flying around. Start in action. No,...
How to Write a Villain Readers Actually Fear
The Real Reason Your Villain Feels Weak Writing compelling villains has gotten complicated with all the “give them a tragic backstory” advice flying around. As...
Why Your Third Act Falls Apart and How to Fix It
The Real Reason Third Acts Feel Hollow Third act problems have gotten complicated with all the conflicting advice flying around. Raise the stakes. Cut the...
Why Your Story Midpoint Is Killing Your Novel
What a Broken Midpoint Actually Feels Like Midpoint problems have gotten complicated with all the conflicting craft advice flying around. “Raise the stakes.” “Add a...
First Chapter Mistakes That Make Agents Stop Reading
Why Your First Chapter Is Getting You Rejected First chapters have gotten complicated with all the conflicting advice flying around. Write a hook. Don’t info-dump....
How to Write Dialogue That Sounds Real — Not Like a Script or a Textbook
Writing Realistic Dialogue Has Gotten Complicated With All the Conflicting Advice Flying Around As someone who spent three years torturing fictional characters with grammatically immaculate...
KDP Select vs Wide Distribution — Where Should You Publish Your Book?
The Decision Every Self-Published Author Faces KDP Select vs wide distribution has gotten complicated with all the conflicting noise flying around. As someone who spent...
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