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How to Start a Novel
Okay, perhaps you’ve been filling pages with scattered notes, and now there’s a growing sense you have a story that wants to
June 24, 2026
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How to Write a Novel
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Suspense is all about what might happen. It’s not the moment of danger itself that evokes suspense, but the growing...
The Seeker archetype is a character beset by a divine discontent, an inner yearning for something just beyond their reach....
Is first-person omniscient narration even possible? Most writers are taught point of view as a set of hard and fast...
You’ve finished your manuscript and you want to get a book deal with a traditional publisher. Where do you start? ...
“Can you send me your writing portfolio?” For many writers, that’s the moment everything stops. You might feel like a...
Two sentences with the exact same words rearranged can mean entirely different things. That shift is syntax at work. “Syntax”...
We use the word novel casually, as if it simply means “a long story,” but a novel is defined by...
The words “book” and “novel” are sometimes used interchangeably. But they actually mean different things. In this article, I’ll describe...
When talking about your writing project with a friend, one of their first questions will likely be “What is the...
A novel’s story structure is an essential aspect to creating a compelling narrative. While the beginnings of a story emerge...
Have you thought about your creative goals for this coming year? If you’re planning to write your novel, here are...
“Danger lies in the writer becoming the victim of his own exaggeration, losing the exact notion of sincerity, and in...
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How to Plan a Novel
Learn how to plan a novel by balancing creative intuition with a structured 90-day schedule, from initial inquiry to finishing your first draft.
April 10, 2026
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How to Plot a Novel
Balance your character’s wants and needs if you want to learn how to plot a novel by using a central dilemma to turn events into a fleshed out story.
April 5, 2026
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How to Write a Novel: Step by Step
“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” – W. Somerset Maugham There may be
March 2, 2026
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“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.
January 16, 2026
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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
December 25, 2025
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How to Outline Your Novel in 5 Steps
Each writer has their own process. Some writers (often called pantsers) believe that outlining their novel limits their creativity, while others require
December 22, 2025
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The Essential Guide to Novel Structure for Writers
A novel’s story structure is an essential aspect to creating a compelling narrative. While the beginnings of a story emerge from the
December 20, 2025
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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
December 19, 2025
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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
December 14, 2025
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12 Maxims of The 90-Day Novel
Have you thought about your creative goals for this coming year? If you’re planning to write your novel, here are 12 maxims that
December 26, 2023
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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
April 2, 2019
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Writing Fiction: Letting Go of Our Story
“Danger lies in the writer becoming the victim of his own exaggeration, losing the exact notion of sincerity, and in the end
June 13, 2017
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Recent posts
Okay, perhaps you’ve been filling pages with scattered notes, and now there’s a growing sense you have a story that...
Learn how to plan a novel by balancing creative intuition with a structured 90-day schedule, from initial inquiry to finishing...
Balance your character's wants and needs if you want to learn how to plot a novel by using a central...
“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” – W. Somerset Maugham There...
How many words long should your novel be? The short answer is . . . as long as it needs...
The words “book” and “novel” are sometimes used interchangeably. But they actually mean different things. In this article, I’ll describe...
Each writer has their own process. Some writers (often called pantsers) believe that outlining their novel limits their creativity, while...
A novel’s story structure is an essential aspect to creating a compelling narrative. While the beginnings of a story emerge...
We use the word novel casually, as if it simply means “a long story,” but a novel is defined by...
When talking about your writing project with a friend, one of their first questions will likely be “What is the...
Have you thought about your creative goals for this coming year? If you’re planning to write your novel, here are...
When I did a book tour for my first novel, someone asked, “Have you sold the film rights?” And when...
“Danger lies in the writer becoming the victim of his own exaggeration, losing the exact notion of sincerity, and in...