Archive:
Plot Development
Guest post by Becca Puglisi Realistic, evocative dialogue is an important part of any successful story. We need our characters’ interactions to be authentic, consistent, and engaging to draw readers in to what’s happening. So when we’re learning to write, we spend a lot of time on mechanics—learning all the grammar and punctuation rules. But […]
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Guest blog by: Becca Puglisi Emotional wounds are tricky to write about. Abuse, betrayal, victimization, and the death of a loved one may exist in our characters’ pasts and so must be explored. But these are also real life events that cause damage to real people. So as I talk today about personalizing wounds for […]
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You have a message to share with the world, but so far, people don’t seem interested. Are you wasting your time? You are if your nonfiction fails to engage an agent or publisher. You may have forgotten the importance of storytelling — yes, even in nonfiction. Adding stories to your nonfiction: Hooks your reader from […]
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Guest post by Bridget McNulty Tension is the secret sauce that ensures that “I’ll read just one more page before bed” feeling. Four ways to ensure your story has the right amount: 1. Create a conflict your characters care about Before you plan your story’s main conflicts, choose carefully. You want to create conflict that […]
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Would you believe that even after writing and publishing nearly 200 books, including 21 New York Times bestsellers, I still take daily steps to hone my writing skills? Whether you’re a beginner or have been at it for decades as I have, writing well takes work. No shortcut, no secret sauce will turn you into […]
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