Foreshadowing is one way to connect scenes in a story across your longer story arcs. Here are examples of how to use foreshadowing in a sentence, along with related foreshadowing tips: (more…)
Writing a good book: 10 ingredients of great novels
Writing a good book is something every fiction writer aspires to. When writers ask for help writing a book, a popular question is ‘Is my idea good enough?’ Having a great story idea to start with helps. Yet a satisfying novel is a combination of many key components. Here are 10 ingredients that will […]
How to expand your novel idea into a stronger story
Novel idea generators and writing prompts are some tools for finding ideas for a story. Yet once you have your central idea – the single sentence that encapsulates the key, interesting details – you need to expand this so you’re ready to draft. Here are tips for finding (more…)
What is rising action? How to build to an epic climax
What is rising action? It’s the events in a book, story, play or movie that build towards a climax. Rising action consists of the character actions, encounters, and situational changes that propel your story to your denouement or ending. How do you build your book to a satisfying climax? Try the following suggestions: First: A […]
What is a synopsis? Writing intriguing book summaries
What is a synopsis? The word ‘synopsis’ comes from the Greek prefix ‘sun-‘ (meaning ‘together’) and ‘-opsis‘ (‘seeing’). So a synopsis is literally a way to ‘see together’, in one quick read, the unique and compelling aspects of a story. How do you write a synopsis that you can submit with confidence to publishers? Read […]
Foreshadowing examples: How to tease plot developments
Foreshadowing – a ‘warning or indication of a future event’ – is a useful device in storytelling. Hinting at what will happen serves multiple purposes (such as building tension and suspense). Read foreshadowing examples showing how to tease approaching plot developments: (more…)
Writing Chapter 2: Developing your opening hook
The opening chapter of a book needs to hook your reader. How? By creating intrigue, suspense, lovable (or at least compelling) characters and interesting setting or action. Writing chapter one is a challenge, yet for many authors writing chapter two is the stumbling block – how can you develop further? (more…)
How to write fight scenes and action that grips readers
Conflict is key to a good story in any genre. Understanding how to write fight scenes and action scenes will help you punctuate your chapters with moments of gripping high drama. To write scenes that hold your readers’ attention, try the following: (more…)
Writing dialogue between multiple characters
The Oxford dictionary defines dialogue as ‘a conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film’ (OED). Yet the ‘or more’ (dialogue between more than two characters) is often confusing to write. How do you write and format dialogue well in a scene involving more than two characters? Here are […]
Character development questions: Building character arcs
Like real people, memorable characters change and evolve over time. Here are character development questions that will help you link character changes to broader story arcs and make sure your characters aren’t cardboard cutouts: (more…)