Narrative tense might sound like a small detail, but it’s one of the elements of writing that helps your story make sense .  It tells readers when the action is happening—past, present, or future—and keeps them grounded in your story’s timeline. When your tense shifts without warning, it can confuse readers or make your writing feel choppy. Every writer struggles with tense consistency at some point, but it's something every writer can master with a little practice and awaren

You know that moment when you sit down to watch “just one episode,” and suddenly, it’s 2 in the morning? There are many elements in screenwriting that come together to convince you to watch "just one more episode"—cliff-hangers, emotional turns, and perfectly timed reveals. That’s pacing at work—the rhythm of storytelling that keeps audiences hooked. And here’s the thing: The same techniques that make TV shows and movies addictive can make your writing do the same, convincing

Effective use of tension and suspense are the beating hearts of a compelling story. They keep readers turning pages, desperate to know what happens next. While the terms are often used together, they aren’t identical: tension  is the sense of unease or anticipation built throughout a scene or story, while suspense  is the emotional payoff—when readers know something is coming but must wait for it to arrive. Classic literature offers some of the finest examples of how to weave

A novel's atmosphere—or emotional landscape—which colors every scene is also known as mood, and it’s one of the most effective tools a...

When readers dive into a novel, they’re not just seeking plot twists or compelling characters (though those are important!). They’re also...

For writers navigating the often tricky terrain of revisions, a manuscript review can provide clear direction and feedback on how to...

One of the biggest challenges some authors face is knowing when they’ve reached the end of their book. The process of wrapping up a book requires careful consideration of the narrative's structure, character arcs, and overall goals. Ask any author how they decided where and how to end their book, and you'll receive many different answers. Some authors know "the end" right from the beginning and plot their story backward. Some "pants" their way through and stop where it feels

Every write knows that a strong opening to their book is crucial for engaging readers. It's the first impression, the hook, that either...

Have you ever found yourself lost in the labyrinth of your own writing? Do your characters often run away with the plot? Are you staring...

Goal-setting is an important part of any new undertaking and can have a profound effect on productivity. If you’ve ever found yourself...

Have you ever had the experience of sitting down to complete a task only to find yourself overwhelmed by what needs to be done, unsure of...

Limited vs. omniscient narration Third person narration is a literary style where the narrative is told from the perspective of a...

Formatting attributes of speech alongside action in fiction I've written about the basics of formatting dialogue here. This blog is a...

National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, is a great opportunity for writers to challenge themselves to write a 50,000-word novel in...

A query letter is a formal letter that a writer sends to literary agents or publishers to introduce themselves and their work with the...

Metadata feels like a nebulous term, and for many writers, it’s components seem hard to pin down. However, it’s vital that your book has...

You’ve written your book and edited the heck out of it, and you don’t want to deal with it anymore. Sounds about right? But then you...

If you think no one is judging books by their covers, then you’d be wrong about this oft-underutilized aspect of book marketing. The book cover and spine or the book cover thumbnail will be the first aspects of your book that catch a potential reader’s attention. It’s pivotal that your book cover is professional and that the cover image file is sized appropriately. The last thing you want, before you even consider all of the other implications for book cover design, is a grai

Dive in with me as I explore the commonalities between successful books no matter how they were published, what genre they are, or...

(And why they have nothing to do with editing.) Whether you’re a writer or an editor, putting yourself and your writing in front of...