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!
Genre Talk: Exploring the World of Cosy Fiction
Cosy fiction is the literary equivalent of a warm hug. It's about emotions and gentle storytelling, where things are restored, not destroyed. Rather than action-packed scenes and world-altering events, cosy narratives prioritise community, kindness, competence, and...
5 Tips for Writing When You Have a Busy Life
Too often, people believe they’re too busy to write a novel. And with the pace of modern life, where everything is constantly on demand, it’s easy to see why. If you're one of those people, it’s okay. You're not alone. I once believed I'd never finish writing my...
How do you write time skips?
"Any advice on how to write time skips? I'm working on the second draft of my novel and I keep getting stuck on transitions where time passes. Sometimes it's just a few days, but there's also a big jump of several years in the middle. I never know if I'm doing it...
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!
How do I develop story pacing?
"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 time is not right. How do we overcome that?" Pacing is the bane of my existence. Theoretically, I know exactly how it...
How do I write enemies to lovers?
"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 situation where they are trapped together for a long time, and they are fighting on opposite sides of a war, so...
How do I write a character backstory?
“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 suddenly drowning in family trees, childhood pets, and three pages about a summer camp no one needs to read. It’s so...
