If you’re new to fiction writing, “scene structure” can sound technical—or even intimidating. In reality, it’s much simpler than it seems. At its core, a scene is just this: a character wants something, runs into a problem, and something changes. That’s it. When scenes feel boring, confusing, or slow, it’s usually because one of those pieces is missing. The good news is that once you understand the basic building blocks, you can fix most scene issues quickly and with confiden

Have you ever reread your own writing and found that it came across as flat, or even too familiar or uninspired (and not just because you've read it often)? The problem isn’t usually the characters or plot—it's language. We use certain words, phrases, and clichés all the time in everyday speech, so they easily make their way into our writing because they're simple and comfortable. But for readers, they can dull emotional impact and make even the most exciting scenes feel pred

For centuries, books were something you listened to before they were something you read. Stories passed from person to person orally, meaning the story lived within breath and cadence. Audiobooks haven’t invented this tradition but they have resurrected it. And that resurrection has consequences for how we write. Today, many readers will never see your carefully crafted prose. They’ll hear  it instead. Which means that writing solely for the eye is no longer enough. One way t

Backstory is essential to fiction—but it’s also one of the easiest ways to stall or completely derail a narrative. Most writers, especially if they like to plan and outline, don’t struggle because their characters lack  backstory. They struggle because they have too much of it, or because they’re unsure when, where, and how to introduce it without stopping the story cold. The goal isn’t to eliminate backstory. It’s to integrate it seamlessly so that readers absorb it without

One of the most common issues in fiction writing—especially among new writers—is use of process language. This is when narration explains every action or thought a character goes through, which can slow the pace and pull readers out of the story. Learning to cut it out is a powerful tool for making writing leaner and more immersive. What is process language? Process language describes how  a character is doing something rather than showing the result or impact . It often read

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’ve finished a draft. Now comes the part that separates a decent draft from a polished manuscript: revision and self-editing. Many writers dread this stage because they fear “cutting too much” or losing their voice and the meaning of their work. But the truth is, careful tightening makes your writing clearer, sharper, and more impactful. As an editor, the number one difference I observe between the manuscripts of beginner and experienced writers is the knowledge of how to

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

Writers often face the delicate challenge of crafting stories that feel both surprising and inevitable. A well-timed twist or a big reveal in the final climax should shock the reader, not because it came from nowhere but because they realize—retrospectively—that it was always coming. This is the power of foreshadowing: the subtle placement of hints and clues that build suspense, reinforce themes, and prepare the reader for what lies ahead. Done well, foreshadowing isn't a tri

If you’re new to writing and dreaming of publishing your first book, but you’re staring at "The End" and wondering, now what? —this post is for you. 👋 As a freelance book editor and proofreader, I often work with writers who aren’t sure what the next steps are after getting words on the page. Here’s a practical Q&A to guide you through what comes next. Q: I've finished my first draft. What do I do? A: Step one: Celebrate!  Writing a first draft is a big accomplishment. Then:

Fiction is more than a sequence of events—it’s an experience. A good story tells us what happened; a great story makes us feel  it. One of the most powerful tools a writer has to make that happen is figurative language. It’s what turns plain prose into something immersive, emotional, and unforgettable. Whether you're crafting a sweeping epic or a quiet character study, figurative language isn't just decorative—it's foundational. Perhaps you remember learning about figurative

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...

Writing and publishing can feel like an uphill battle, filled with self-doubt and numerous hurdles. This weekend, I attended a local...

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...

The saying “you don’t know what you don’t know” is so true when it comes to publishing, whether it’s self-publishing or traditional...

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...