Welcome to the Reading Room
Join us with a cuppa and settle in for expert writing advice, writing and publishing tips, book reviews, and your questions answered!
How do you describe indoor spaces?
"I struggle with describing interior scenes in my writing. I can visualize the spaces perfectly in my head, but when I try to put them on the page, it feels flat or like I'm just listing furniture. How do I make indoor spaces feel alive and immersive?" A lot of what...
How To Plan a Novel (By Not Planning It)
Writers everywhere approach their novels differently. Some of you meticulously plan everything. Others wing it by sliding into their computer chairs ready to pants their way to a finished draft. Most people will fall somewhere in between, so which are you? Do you plan...
6 Essential Ingredients for Building Your Fantasy World
No matter what type of fantasy world you're writing, it's easy for your plot to feel one-note if you don't practice worldbuilding. It's important to give your fantasy universe depth and complexity. But how do you go about building a world for your own story? What are...
Got a Question? Ask Novlr!
Want to know more about a certain aspect of writing or need more general advice or inspiration? We’re here to help!
Are there any books on writing you can recommend?
"People always talk about different writing books but I'm not sure which ones would be worth my time. There are just too many! What books would you recommend for someone who wants to improve their writing?" How-to guides are certainly a dime a dozen in writing...
How do I write an interesting prophecy?
“I'm writing a fantasy series that includes a prophecy that all the characters are following but how do you make it feel like part of the world and not just a big spoiler? I want it to mean something but still leave room for surprises.” Prophecies are a time-honoured...
How do you stop yourself getting stuck at the planning stage?
"What are the most basic steps needed to get to the point where you can start writing? I've finally got a solid enough idea for my first novel but I'm really overwhelmed with what to start with and don't want to get stuck in the planning phase for years like I have in...
