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Genre Talk: Exploring the World of Steampunk

What is Steampunk? Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that combines historical elements with anachronistic technological features inspired by science fiction. The time period for steampunk is typically set during the Victorian era or an alternative...

How do you deal with sudden writer’s block?

“Any tips for a terrible case of writers block that occurs without any real reason?” Writer's block is often misunderstood. You’ll hear lots of people say it doesn’t exist, and that’s it’s all just a state of mind. While this is true, it’s fundamentally an...

How to Learn From Criticism and Rejection

There is no better teacher than criticism. And rejection, no matter what form it takes, is just a form of criticism. While true criticism usually falls into two camps — constructive or critical. There are things that can be learned from all types of feedback, even if...

How do I know if I’ve picked the right protagonist?

"How do I know if a character I've set as a main character is going to be relevant to my story? I don't want to make a whole character and get attached to them if they won't help the narrative or contribute anything to the plot." This is a struggle I know all too...
How do you come up with a theme for your story?

How do you come up with a theme for your story?

"I’m not sure where the heart of my story is. How do I figure out the theme of the story so I can flesh out the details (without changing my mind next week)? Do you start with a theme and build a story around it, or does the theme emerge as you write?" Themes are so...

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How do you prioritise subplots?

How do you prioritise subplots?

"I've written 75% of my novel, but it has a medium-sized cast with quite a few subplots. For a satisfying ending, what do I prioritize for the final act/conclusion, and what details could I afford to skip or leave out? How should I order them and distribute the screen...

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How do you write the ordinary?

How do you write the ordinary?

"Hi, I have a fairly easy time writing all the meat and potato bits of my story but it's the normal everyday stuff I struggle with. A lot of my writing involves the metaphysical which I can do but characters sitting down having dinner together? I just feel I can't...

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How can I streamline my editing process?

How can I streamline my editing process?

"How can I make my editing process quicker and less stressful? I feel like I’m spending way too much time on it and not really getting anywhere, so I’d love some tips on how to keep it simple and actually productive." I think that most writers have a love/hate...

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