Dealing with the Negative

By The Insecure Writer’s Support Group We’ve all had the experience of being criticized and not in a supportive way. However, seasoned writers know they have to deal with the negative or stop doing what they love to do. Here’s where that old cliché comes in handy: If you can’t stand the heat, get out […]
What a Trip! Your Story Roadmap

By Ali Cross Imagine you’re about to take the road trip of a lifetime. With the snacks packed, the playlist queued, and the tank filled, there’s just one thing left: a destination. Sure, some folks are free-spirited enough to hop in the car, hit the gas, and trust the universe will provide, but if you’re […]
Choosing a Point of View: Understanding Nuance

When we first start writing, the question of point of view (POV) usually seems straightforward. Either we choose to use the default third-person POV or we use first-person POV (as almost no one uses second-person). The choice seems like it’s just a matter of using “she/he” versus “I” for our viewpoint character. But the more […]
What Happens When Characters Lose Control of Their Emotions?

When characters become volatile, it doesn’t matter if they have a good reason or not, only the mistakes and missteps that often follow.
Want Strong Dialogue? Don’t Forget The Subtext

Mastering dialogue subtext reveals the hidden depths of character interaction. By Becca Puglisi Realistic, evocative dialogue is an important part of any successful story. We need our characters’ interactions to be authentic, consistent, and engaging to draw readers into what’s happening. So when we’re learning to write, we spend a lot of time on […]
4 Ways To Write A More Cathartic Story

A lot goes into a successful novel, from compelling characters to an engaging plot, solid pacing, and a vibrant world. However, none of these things are quite as important as catharsis.