alan watt on writing

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A hand with a feather quill pen being dipped into ink alluding to formalism in writing techniques

Writing Techniques

Sooner or later, every writer seeks to improve their writing skills. Maybe you want to learn specific techniques before you...

A bowl filled with puzzle pieces to suggest a lack of clarity for the recipient of this meal

What is a Mixed Metaphor?

Mixed metaphors are sneaky. You’re writing a scene, the words are flowing, then you write a line like, “She took...

A woman with piqued interest to suggest how writing a good book proposal will get you the attention your novel needs

How to Write a Book Proposal That Gets Noticed

If you’re writing a nonfiction book that doesn’t follow a narrative (e.g., self-help, how-to guides, or business material), you don’t...

A woman's hand running her fingers over some books to suggest a softness to literary fiction

Literary Fiction: What Makes a Novel Literary?  

You’ve probably heard people describe a novel as “literary fiction” without explaining what the term means. Is it more slow-paced?...

A person at a traditional working desk with splashes of color to suggest a new and old mix for hybrid publishing

Hybrid Publishing Explained

Most writers consider taking one of two publishing routes:  In recent years, a third approach has gained momentum and merits...

A woman reading in a serene environment to suggest how vivid verbs bring a text alive

Vivid Verbs: Bring Your Prose to Life

One of the quickest ways to make your writing more vibrant is to use vivid verbs. A single well-placed verb...

Book Editing

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Collaborative Editing: How to Receive Feedback Without Losing Your Voice
Book Editing

Collaborative Editing: How to Receive Feedback Without Losing Your Voice

The Benefit of Sensitivity Readers
Book Editing

The Benefit of Sensitivity Readers

The 4 Stages of Book Editing 
Book Editing

The 4 Stages of Book Editing 

The Critique Circle Every Serious Writer Eventually Needs
Book Editing

The Critique Circle Every Serious Writer Eventually Needs

Line Editing: Transform Good Writing Into Great Writing
Book Editing

Line Editing: Transform Good Writing Into Great Writing

Book Outline

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Reverse Outlining: Gaining a New Perspective
Book Outline

Reverse Outlining: Gaining a New Perspective

Pacing in Writing
Book Outline

Pacing in Writing

What Makes a Good Story? The Four Elements
Book Outline

What Makes a Good Story? The Four Elements

Character Outline
Book Outline

Character Outline

Book Outline: Where Do I Start?
Book Outline

Book Outline: Where Do I Start?

Character Development

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The Magician Archetype: Characters Who Transform All They Touch
Character Development

The Magician Archetype: Characters Who Transform All They Touch

Tragic Hero Examples
Character Development

Tragic Hero Examples

Types of Characters
Character Development

Types of Characters

Personal Growth in Writing: Transforming Both Characters and Yourself
Character Development

Personal Growth in Writing: Transforming Both Characters and Yourself

The Caregiver Archetype: Writing the Character Who Loves at Their Own Expense
Character Development

The Caregiver Archetype: Writing the Character Who Loves at Their Own Expense

How to Edit a Book

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How to Title a Book That Readers Can’t Ignore
How to Edit a Book

How to Title a Book That Readers Can’t Ignore

The Ultimate Guide to Developmental Editing 
How to Edit a Book

The Ultimate Guide to Developmental Editing 

How to Publish a Book

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How to Write a Book Proposal That Gets Noticed
How to Publish a Book

How to Write a Book Proposal That Gets Noticed

Hybrid Publishing Explained
How to Publish a Book

Hybrid Publishing Explained

The Kindlepreneur Mindset: Combining Creativity and Business Acumen
How to Publish a Book

The Kindlepreneur Mindset: Combining Creativity and Business Acumen

What is an Imprint and How Does it Work?
How to Publish a Book

What is an Imprint and How Does it Work?

How to Write an Author Bio 
How to Publish a Book

How to Write an Author Bio 

How to Write a Memoir

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How to End a Memoir
How to Write a Memoir

How to End a Memoir

How to Start a Memoir
How to Write a Memoir

How to Start a Memoir

Examples of Memoirs: What Great Memoirs Can Teach You About Storytelling
How to Write a Memoir

Examples of Memoirs: What Great Memoirs Can Teach You About Storytelling

Advice from Authors on Writing Memoir – 8 Helpful Hints
How to Write a Memoir

Advice from Authors on Writing Memoir – 8 Helpful Hints

Memoir Writing Prompts to Help You Find the Real Story
How to Write a Memoir

Memoir Writing Prompts to Help You Find the Real Story

How to Write a Screenplay

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How to Adapt a Book Into a Screenplay
How to Write a Screenplay

How to Adapt a Book Into a Screenplay

Wearing Too Many Hats: Understanding the Screenwriter’s Role
How to Write a Screenplay

Wearing Too Many Hats: Understanding the Screenwriter’s Role

“Too Many Hats” — Why Your Screenplay Loses Focus
How to Write a Screenplay

“Too Many Hats” — Why Your Screenplay Loses Focus

What is a Screenplay?
How to Write a Screenplay

What is a Screenplay?

How to Outline a Screenplay
How to Write a Screenplay

How to Outline a Screenplay

The Writing Process

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Writing Rules — Are There Any?
The Writing Process

Writing Rules — Are There Any?

Critical Feedback
The Writing Process

Critical Feedback

How Many Words Per Page in a Book?
The Writing Process

How Many Words Per Page in a Book?

The No-Excuses Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism
The Writing Process

The No-Excuses Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism

Writing Challenges: How Small Daily Commitments Create Extraordinary Results
The Writing Process

Writing Challenges: How Small Daily Commitments Create Extraordinary Results

Writers on Writing

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Trust Your Wild Imagination
Writers on Writing

Trust Your Wild Imagination

Writing Short-Form Articles for Substack
Writers on Writing

Writing Short-Form Articles for Substack

Unmoored: My Search for Meaning
Writers on Writing

Unmoored: My Search for Meaning

Follow the Dog: On Persistence and Self-Trust
Writers on Writing

Follow the Dog: On Persistence and Self-Trust

4 Tips for Writing a Novel
Writers on Writing

4 Tips for Writing a Novel

Writing Resources and Tools

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Writing Techniques

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Writing Techniques
Writing Techniques

Writing Techniques

What is a Mixed Metaphor?
Writing Techniques

What is a Mixed Metaphor?

Literary Fiction: What Makes a Novel Literary?  
Writing Techniques

Literary Fiction: What Makes a Novel Literary?  

Vivid Verbs: Bring Your Prose to Life
Writing Techniques

Vivid Verbs: Bring Your Prose to Life

5 Essential Creative Writing Tips 
Writing Techniques

5 Essential Creative Writing Tips