When it comes to dialogue, writers really do need to say what they mean and mean what they say. In other words, you’ve only got so many chances to use your characters’ conversations to their utmost advantage. Make them count.
Tag Archives: Writing Tips
How to Appreciate the First (Sucky) Draft
Lesson the first for every writer everywhere: the first draft is almost always awful. But that’s okay. In fact, that works to your advantage.
Writing Contests and Why They Make Us Want to Hurl
Writing contests are great avenues for exposure and constructive criticism. So why do they make all us writers feel physically ill at the thought of entering?
Lady Bosses of Lit
In the literary world, every day is International Women’s Day, and every month is Women’s History Month. The real world just hasn’t caught up to speed with the lady bosses of lit—yet.
27 Tips I’ve Collected as a Writer, an Editor, and Everything in Between
There are a million things that go into writing a novel. Here are twenty-seven of the handiest tips I’ve collected so far.
NaNoWriMo 2020
It’s not just fun to say; NaNoWriMo is a website, a nonprofit organization, a widespread writing community, and a challenge all rolled into one.
Writing Mythical Creatures
Fiction writing lends itself to an endless array of characters, from humans to mythical creatures: borrowed, created, or something in between.
To Outline or Not: Is There a Question?
Every writer creates their own type of outline. Or, sometimes they don’t.
Writing Romance (without Sounding Like a Sap)
Writing romance (without sounding like a sap) doesn’t have to be an exercise in clichés. Learn to avoid this genre’s tired tropes, or at least how to use them to your advantage.
Showing vs. Telling: How to Set the Mood
Showing vs. telling: both are key to establishing mood and tone, and creating an immersive storytelling experience.
K. Watkins 