Historical Fiction
If you’ve found yourself enchanted by tales of a bygone era, you’re likely a fan of historical fiction. In this genre, the […]
What is a Novella? Key Characteristics Explained
Some of literature’s greatest stories aren’t in novel form at all, but a different kind of prose. Rich characters like George Milton […]
“How Many Words in a Novel?”
How many words long should your novel be? The short answer is . . . as long as it needs to be. […]
The Tragic Hero Explained: Aristotle to Modern Fiction
Tragic heroes are like a falling star, burning, hurtling to their doom, but are a sight to behold all the same. They […]
Novels vs Books — What’s the Difference?
The words “book” and “novel” are sometimes used interchangeably. But they actually mean different things. In this article, I’ll describe the differences […]
What is a Novel? Definition, History, and Key Characteristics
We use the word novel casually, as if it simply means “a long story,” but a novel is defined by more than […]
Novel Genres: Top 9 Fiction Categories
When talking about your writing project with a friend, one of their first questions will likely be “What is the genre?” To […]
90-Day Novel
the 90-day novel® FALL SESSION | SEPT. 10TH – DEC. 10TH, 2026 suggested donation – $1,500 minimum donation – $750 until Aug. […]
Sell Your Novel to the Movies
When I did a book tour for my first novel, someone asked, “Have you sold the film rights?” And when I said […]
Weights & Measures
Proximity Do our characters have to be two thousand miles apart, or three miles apart? If we are trying to convey a […]
How to Write a Query Letter
Writing a query letter after finishing your manuscript can feel like climbing a second mountain you didn’t know was there. It took […]
The Omniscient Narrator: Balancing What to Tell and When
The omniscient narrator sees everything. Every private conviction, every hidden fear, every gap between what a character believes and what is actually […]
The Fichtean Curve
The Fichtean Curve takes a different approach from other story structure models. Most structure templates take a little time to establish the […]
Character vs. Nature Conflict
Character vs. Nature strips a story down to its most primal conflict. There’s no evil villain with a dark motive. No institution […]
