How do I develop story pacing?

Dec 22, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

“As a writer, we basically know the major beats before starting writing, but readers don’t, and we sometimes might slip too deep into things when the...

#plotting, #writing tips

How do I write enemies to lovers?

Dec 15, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

“I don’t know if there’s already an article about this, but how should I go about an enemies to lovers type side plot? My two protagonists are in a...

#tropes, #writing tips

4 Reading Tips That Will Make You A Better Writer

Dec 12, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

Writing is a skill that takes practice, but there is more to being a great writer than simply putting words on a page. Reading is an essential skill...

#reading, #writing tips

How do I write a character backstory?

Dec 8, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

“How do I write a unique character backstory effectively?” Backstory can feel like quicksand. If you take one step in too deep, you’ll find yourself...

#character development, #writing tips

How to Create a Plot Outline in Five Easy Steps

Dec 4, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

I’ll happily admit that I’m not a plotter. I have story ideas, but I find sitting down to actually map those ideas out into a manageable form to be a...

#plotting, #writing tips

What’s the difference between an anti-villain and an anti-hero?

Nov 30, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

“Hello! 👋 What’s the difference between Anti-Villain and Anti-Hero??” Villains and heroes are two sides of the same coin. Every villain is the hero...

#character development, #writing tips

How do you write a good metaphor?

Nov 23, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

“I struggle with writing metaphors. I can come up with similes easily, but metaphors? Not so much. Any advice?” If you can write a simile, you’re...

#figures of speech, #writing tips

Character Archetypes and How to Use Them in Your Novel

Nov 21, 2025 | by Char

If you’re a writer and you’ve had any type of online presence in the past few years, you may have come across the term “character archetypes.” The...

#character development, #writing tips

How do you start writing after you’ve developed a plot?

Nov 17, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

“I have the story of the novel, I have the ideas, I have the plot, but… just how do I really start writing???” There is nothing more intimidating to...

#motivation, #writing tips

5 Tips to Write a Good Subplot That Every Writer Needs to Know

Nov 14, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

Subplots are a hugely overlooked part of the drafting process. They are often overlooked for the much more overt plotline you’ll have bouncing around...

#plotting, #writing tips

How do you describe indoor spaces?

Nov 10, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

“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,...

#settings, #writing tips

How To Plan a Novel (By Not Planning It)

Nov 7, 2025 | by Crystal Kamm

Writers everywhere approach their novels differently. Some of you meticulously plan everything. Others wing it by sliding into their computer chairs...

#plotting, #productivity, #writing tips

6 Essential Ingredients for Building Your Fantasy World

Oct 31, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

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...

#plotting, #worldbuilding, #writing tips

What can I do when I get stuck on a scene?

Oct 27, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

“I’m stuck on a scene. I know what needs to happen, but every time I try to write it, it stalls. What can I do to get unstuck?” Every time I get one...

#character development, #plotting, #writing tips

5 Writing Games to Help You Get to Know Your Characters

Oct 24, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

The thrill of watching a character unfold and develop on the page is an experience like no other. But, it can be a challenge to truly understand and...

#character development, #writing exercises, #writing inspiration, #writing prompts

How do you know if your story idea is big enough for a novel?

Oct 20, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

“Hiya. How do you know if an idea is big enough to span a whole novel? I often fall short when outlining because there’s just not enough depth to the...

#plotting, #writing tips

Tackling a November Writing Challenge? Here’s What You Need to Know

Oct 17, 2025 | by Kim Montgomery

It’s that time of year again! Brush off your laptops and pick up your pencils, because this is the month where many writers challenge ourselves to...

#productivity, #writing events

How do you come up with good character names?

Oct 13, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

“I’ve been struggling with naming my characters for weeks now. I keep second-guessing every name I choose, worried it’s not meaningful or unique...

#character development, #writing inspiration, #writing tips

How to Research and Bring Authentic History to Your Fiction

Oct 10, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

In the world of historical fiction, authenticity can make all the difference. Well-researched novels transport readers to a different place and time,...

#book recommendations, #writing inspiration, #writing tips

How do I write an interesting prophecy?

Sep 29, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

“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...

#worldbuilding, #writing tips

How do you stop yourself getting stuck at the planning stage?

Sep 22, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

“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...

#character development, #plotting, #productivity, #writing tips

4 Tips For Reading Your Novel for the Very First Time

Sep 18, 2025 | by Crystal Kamm

Everyone writes differently; that much we know. Some people write a whole novel from start to finish and then read it, make a few minor changes, and...

How do I effectively write foreshadowing?

Sep 15, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

“How do I write foreshadowing in a way that won’t be noticed until you reread the scene?” When foreshadowing is done right it can be one of the most...

#plotting, #writing tips

How To Get the Most Out of Your Writing Time

Sep 11, 2025 | by Pamela Koehne-Drube

The dream of many writers is to make it a full-time profession. For full-time writers, it’s easy to build and plan your day around your writing, but...

#productivity, #writing tips