Writing Effective Antagonists: Craft Conflict that Matters
It may sound dry, but at the heart of every story is an argument. The theme (or dramatic question) is played out […]
Mastering the Anti-Villain: How to Build Sympathetic, Relatable Antagonists
In storytelling, we have heroes and villains, but where do anti-villains fit in? Who are they, and why have they become so […]
What Makes a Protagonist? The Character at the Center of Your Story
When you think of your favorite movies or books, what’s the first thing you think of? Is it the setting, the twist […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
How to Write Dynamic Characters
Creating memorable stories begins with creating memorable characters—those who struggle, adapt, and ultimately transform. While some characters find their strength in sticking […]
How to Write a Memoir: From First Draft to Lasting Impact
A memoir is a narrative written from the author’s perspective, focusing on a specific moment or theme of their life. However, when […]
Epigraph: A Clue to Your Story
Before a story begins, you can include an epigraph to signal your protagonist’s dilemma, the tone, and even foreshadow the ending with […]
How to Create Situational Irony
Situational irony is something we’ve all experienced: an unexpected outcome or an outcome that’s the opposite of the intention. We get to […]
Personification as a Literary Tool: Writing Emotion without Telling
Personification is a literary device so commonplace that it shows up everywhere in our language. The dictionary definition of personification is “to […]
How to Write a Synopsis that Grabs Attention
A synopsis might sound like just another item on your never-ending to-do list, but it’s actually one of the most powerful tools […]
Point of View: Second Person
You probably haven’t read many books written in the second person perspective, maybe since your last “choose your own adventure” novel. Most […]
Exposition: “Where should my story begin?”
For some writers, just getting the story started is the toughest part. There’s so much you want to say, but you have […]
The Static Character’s Secret: Why Change Isn’t Always Necessary
The characters we write in our stories play a central part in the audience’s engagement. Understanding your characters and why they do […]
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Unlock Your Story’s Theme: Crafting Stories That Matter
Theme is a way of making a series of events which are personal to the protagonist universally relatable to a wide audience. […]
What is Rising Action? How to Elevate Your Plot
Rising action refers to the series of events that lead from a story’s inciting incident to the climax. In this article, we […]