Writing Craft
Show, Don't Tell: What It Means, with 15 Before-and-After Examples
Show, don't tell explained clearly, with 15 before-and-after examples for emotions, characters and settings, plus when telling is actually better.
Writing Craft
Practical, example-packed guides to writing stories readers can't put down: structure, character, dialogue, point of view and more.
16 articles
Writing Craft
How to Start Writing a Book: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide
A practical beginner's guide on how to start writing a book: find your idea, choose plotter or pantser, set a writing routine, write a messy first draft and finish.
Writing Craft
How to Write Dialogue: 12 Rules, Formatting Tips and Examples
Learn how to write dialogue that sounds natural and moves your story forward: formatting rules, dialogue tags, subtext, voice and common mistakes, with examples.
Writing Craft
The Three-Act Structure Explained: A Simple Guide with Examples
The three-act structure explained simply: setup, confrontation and resolution, key plot points, percentages, examples from Cinderella and how to use it in your story.
Writing Craft
The Hero's Journey: All 12 Stages Explained with Examples
The hero's journey explained: Joseph Campbell's monomyth, Christopher Vogler's 12 stages with examples from myths, fairy tales and films, and how to use it.
Writing Craft
How to Overcome Writer's Block: 15 Strategies That Actually Work
Stuck? Here are 15 practical strategies to overcome writer's block, based on its real causes: fear, perfectionism, burnout, unclear plot and lack of routine.
Writing Craft
How to Write a Fairy Tale Retelling: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to write a fairy tale retelling that feels fresh: choose a tale, find its core, pick an angle, keep the recognizable beats and make it your own.
Writing Craft
How to Write a Villain Readers Will Never Forget
Learn how to write a memorable villain: give them a believable goal, a reason, a connection to the hero, real power and moments of humanity, with examples.
Writing Craft
Point of View in Fiction: First Person, Third Person and Which to Choose
A clear guide to point of view in fiction: first person, second person, third limited and omniscient, with examples, pros and cons and how to choose.
Writing Craft
Worldbuilding Guide: How to Create a Believable Fantasy World
A practical worldbuilding guide for fantasy writers: geography, history, magic systems, cultures, economy and religion, with a checklist and tips to avoid info-dumps.
Writing Craft
How to Write a Short Story: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to write a short story step by step: find one idea, focus on a single moment of change, start late, build to a turning point and end with impact.
Writing Craft
20 Common Writing Mistakes Beginners Make (and How to Fix Them)
Avoid the 20 most common writing mistakes beginners make in fiction, from slow openings and info-dumps to filter words and flat characters, with clear fixes.
Writing Craft
How to Self-Publish a Book: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide
A beginner's guide to self-publishing a book: editing, cover design, formatting, ISBNs, ebook and print platforms, pricing and marketing your book.
Writing Craft
How to Outline a Novel: 5 Simple Methods for Beginners
Learn how to outline a novel with five beginner-friendly methods: the one-page outline, the snowflake method, beat sheets, index cards and the reverse outline.
Writing Craft
How to Name Characters: 12 Tips for Memorable Character Names
How to name characters in your story: 12 practical tips on meaning, sound, setting, era and culture, plus the mistakes to avoid and where to find names.
Writing Craft
How to Write a Fable: Step-by-Step Guide with an Example
Learn how to write a fable: choose a moral, pick animal characters with clear traits, create a simple conflict, end with a lesson, plus a complete example fable.