What is Your Story Really About?
When you write a story, it may seem to be about a character, in a particular setting, struggling to overcome a problem. But if that is all that your story is really about, it will fail. So what is your story really about?
Balancing Productivity and Art
Ideally, a publisher would like you to bring them in 1) quickly, 2) beautifully written, 3) and at a low price. This is why you need to learn to balance your productivity and art while writing. Balancing productivity and art takes practice and experience.
What is the Core for Your Genre ?
So how do you determine what the core is of your genre? I’ve heard this “core question” idea before, and it is true that there are certain questions that strike at the heart of just about any genre.
Creating Likeable Protagonists
In Hollywood, it is said that “There are only two ways to make a likeable character.” Here are those two ways to help you with creating likable protagonists, plus a few more.
How to Start Publishing a Novel
So you have written a book, maybe a novel. How do you start publishing it so readers will be able to find it? And why is it so hard and complicated? Because there is no perfect way in which to hack or game the publishing industry.
Write a Bestselling Novel in Three Easy Steps
Discover actionable tips for writing a bestseller, building a huge audience, and marketing your book effectively. Learn how to craft a story that resonates with millions of readers.
Heroes and Anti-Heroes
When you’re writing a novel, you will be creating heroes and anti-heroes. You may create a protagonist who is “heroic,” or one who is an “anti-hero.” But do you know the difference between the two?
Where to Place Your Dialog Tags
So there are the four ways that you use tags. Try to use them artfully. Pay attention to the natural pauses in your story, the beats. Those will help you figure out where to place the tags.
Is it a Good Time to Write?
As the Covid pandemic hit last year, I head a lot of doom-and-gloom from authors about how it would destroy the industry. Printers closed down, bookstores were put out of commission. Of course it is still a good time to write!
Improve Your Dialogue
Given this, an author should feel free to mix things up. Use said and asked when you feel that they are appropriate, especially when sentences are spoken in neutral tones.