Archive:

Fiction

How to Write a Compelling Redemption Arc

August 22, 2023

Redemption has always been a popular theme, especially in—though not limited to—the Inspirational market. However, redemption arcs can easily fall victim to cliché or become artificial constructs designed to put a character in a good light as your story wraps up. Done wrong, they come off planted, cheap, and undeserved. However, crafted effectively, the redemption […]

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Guide to christian writing contests in 2017

Your Ultimate Guide to Writing Contests Through 2024

August 18, 2023

Regardless where you are on your writing journey, you can benefit from entering contests. The right contest can tell you: Where you stand How you measure up against the competition What you still need to learn And you could win cash. That’s why my team researched a wide range of high-quality contests. We’ve included free […]

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How to Write a Flashback

August 17, 2023

Written well, a flashback can give your readers insight into a character and add depth to your story. Done poorly, it can feel out of place, forced, and worse—cliched. A flashback constitutes an interruption of your main onstage present story to depict events from the past. If you flash back, you must have a concrete […]

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How to Write a Book From Start to Finish

How to Write a Book From Start to Finish: A Proven Guide

August 7, 2023

So you want to write a book. Becoming an author can change your life—not to mention give you the ability to impact thousands, even millions, of people. But writing a book isn’t easy. As a 21-time New York Times bestselling author, I can tell you: It’s far easier to quit than to finish. You’re going […]

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What makes a great villain?

What Makes a Great Villain? Your Checklist for Writing a Good Bad Guy

July 24, 2023

Nothing makes your hero more heroic than a worthy opponent. So don’t shortchange your villain. Spend every bit as much time crafting him as you do your lead character, if you want your story to work. (Though I will use male pronouns throughout, this applies equally if your main character is a heroine or your […]

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