Showing, Not Telling, Backstory
Backstory may be necessary to fill readers in on the history of a character. Victoria Sherrow shares how to include it in ways that show and don’t tell.
How to Show Your Characters’ Emotions
To show emotions, we need words and phrases that help readers feel what the characters feel. This post will teach you how to show your characters’ emotions.
Less Filtering = More “Show, Don’t Tell”
When writing fiction, we want to reduce the distance between reader and story. One good way “show, don’t tell” is to eliminate filter words.
5 Tips for Giving Useful Feedback to Writers
Not only does giving feedback help the writer who receives the feedback, it helps you as well. Let’s think about what makes good feedback and how to give it.
Writing Feedback: Casting Off Unhelpful Expectations
Preparing yourself to receive writing feedback is the best way to ensure you’ll improve. Let’s look at ways we sabotage our growth with unhelpful expectations.
Revision: Why Writers Need Objective Feedback
If you want to be published, objective feedback is essential for your revisions. Instructor Sue Ford shares different types of feedback to improve your writing.
Power Up Your Revision with Feedback
It’s easy to underestimate the value of feedback at some point in the revision process. Here’s where to get feedback and how to use it in your next manuscript.
4 Planning Tools to Use for Successful Revisions
Let’s look at some revision tools and techniques you may not have considered including timelines, style sheets, vision boards, and playlists!
Revision: The Importance of a Critique
We type “the end” and are so excited, but the truth is no draft is perfect. Here’s why getting a manuscript critique is crucial to getting your work published.
L.E.A.P. into Writing for Children: Learn, Entertain, And Provoke
When writing for children, take a LEAP—write a story that teaches (LEARN), captivates (ENTERTAINS), AND gets the child to do something (PROVOKES).
Up Close and Personal: Writing Inside Viewpoints
One of the first things a reader looks for in a story is the viewpoint. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of using different points of view in your story.
What Writers Need to Know About Writing Chapters
Does your book need chapters? If so, how long should they be? Jan Fields reveals the ins and outs of using chapters effectively in your story.
Building Solid Relationships for Stronger Writing
Relationships play a key role in most fiction stories. Thinking about relationships of all kinds will make for stronger writing that will engage readers.
Word by Word: Make the Most of Your Writing Choices
Writing involves choices. Word by word we can harness the power and magic of words. Let’s make the most of our writing choices with today’s post.
How to Make Readers Fall in Love with Your Book
Two things will make readers fall in love with your book: premise and character. Jan Fields shows how to have them head over heels for both in your story.
Building Your Reading List as a Writer
Successful writers are also readers. The act of reading builds skills and inspires creativity. Let’s talk about building your reading list as a writer.
3 Resolutions to Make You a Better Writer
There are problems every new writer faces. Let’s look at some of the most common issues and turn them into 3 resolutions to make us all better writers.
Unity in Nonfiction: What, Why, How?
Unity in nonfiction means the writing is cohesive, coherent, and creates a meaningful whole. Let’s explore how unity gives you a better shot at publication.
How 3 Words from Aristotle Can Help Your Story
Aristotle’s RHETORIC gives 3 elements for persuasive communication—Logos, Ethos, and Pathos. These 3 words are also what every book for young readers needs.
Ready, Set, Go! Incorporating the Rule of Three into Your Writing
Rule of Three writing tools, such as a tricolon or hendiatris, make our writing different and possibly more interesting to readers—always a good goal.
