2017-08-07 16:11
A good plot twist adds intrigue, suspense or surprise to a novel. Plot twists are particularly popular in suspense-heavy novels such as murder mysteries, because they prolong suspense-creat… Read More
Blog Directory > Education Blogs > Study Guides Blogs > Now Novel writer's study-guides Blog >
Now Novel Writer's Blog
nownovel.com/blog
A blog that gives you tips on how to write better, motivate yourself and examples from the masters
2017-07-31 15:58
World building tips often focus on fantastical genres such as fantasy and sci-fi because they entail creating worlds wholly other to our own. Yet it’s important to create immersive, i… Read More
2017-07-27 08:34
Learning how to start a novel, how to write a great first sentence, paragraph or chapter, is key to writing books that pull readers in fast. What makes a first sentence or paragraph strong?… Read More
2017-07-24 16:50
Literature is full of fantastic antagonists who make it hard for the story’s central characters to reach their goals. Read antagonist examples from successful novels, along with tips… Read More
2017-07-17 13:12
What is a subplot? It’s a secondary plot in a novel, play or movie. Subplots are the additional minor arcs that help develop characters, themes and settings. Read 5 tips for writing s… Read More
2017-07-13 13:39
Writing romantic scenes between lovers and writing fight scenes (between lovers or heroes and villains) might sound miles apart. Yet both share common important elements:
1. Structure… Read More
2017-07-10 08:04
Knowing how to write a scene is a crucial skill for writing a novel. Scenes are the basic building blocks of plot. Read this guide for tips on writing scenes, including how to start and end… Read More
2017-07-03 12:50
There are endless ways to describe someone, from physical description to verbal tics, personal views and more. Here are 10 questions to ask about your description words to help you make you… Read More
2017-06-29 10:07
What is foreshadowing? Generally, the term means a ‘warning or indication (of a future event)’ (OED). As a literary term, it means creating earlier scenes to build suspense, ant… Read More
2017-06-26 12:50
‘Action’ and ‘pacing’ are two crucial elements in all stories, particularly in action/adventure and mystery/thriller novels. When you write an action story, good pac… Read More
2017-06-22 12:41
Plotting just one novel is challenging, never mind plotting a multi-book arc. Having structure and a plan helps. Here’s how to plot a series in 8, structured steps:
Step 1: Find your… Read More
2017-06-19 12:47
Plot development means ensuring that your novel contains what makes stories enjoyable to read: Action and event, change, wonder and surprise. Here’s how to improve your plot-writing s… Read More
2017-06-15 17:30
Character profile writing is a useful way to build a rounded idea of your characters. Knowing your characters’ appearance and persona inside out makes scenes practically write themsel… Read More
2017-06-12 10:50
Describing hands is useful for showing characters’ psychological traits and personality, age and more. Many amateur writers stop at describing eye colour or how characters say th… Read More
2017-06-08 11:02
Tone and mood are two powerful elements of writing that affect how readers feel. Tone tells us a lot about characters – a protagonist whose tone is mostly sarcastic, for example, migh… Read More
2017-06-01 17:25
Characterization, the art of breathing life into a fictional character, has many facets. We can separate this aspect of craft into direct characterization and indirect characteriz… Read More
2017-05-29 17:16
Adjectives – words that describe nouns or pronouns – add specificity and detail to writing. The literal definition of adjective is ‘throw towards’, from the Latin pr… Read More
2017-05-25 12:00
Learning how to edit your novel before a professional editor even sees it is smart. When there are fewer minor errors, a hired editor can focus on large-scale issues: Plot holes a… Read More
2017-05-22 16:41
Learning how to write cliffhangers and suspenseful scenes is a crucial skill, whether you write mystery thrillers, fantasy fiction or another genre. The suspense examples from books be… Read More
2017-05-18 08:22
Many authors who have had books made into movie adaptations have become multi-millionaires almost overnight. Why are some books primed for screen adaptation from the start? They share… Read More
2017-05-15 13:58
A theme, ‘an idea that recurs in or pervades a work of art or literature’, explores an insightful topic or subject. Through the ways authors treat themes such as ‘lov… Read More
2017-05-11 09:30
If you want readers to fall in love with your novels, writing great characters is crucial. When readers feel connection to your characters, it’s easy to get lost in the world you&rsqu&helli…Read More
2017-05-08 13:59
What are conflicts in a story? Why do they matter and what purposes do they serve? Read six examples of story conflicts from books and why they work. This will help you create your own… Read More
2017-05-04 07:55
The clothes a person wears tells us many things: their status in life, for example, or their cultural affiliation or identity. They can tell us what era they live in, and even a person… Read More
2017-05-02 19:03
Sometimes you get half way through a story or novel before you realize that your plot is missing something. Maybe it plods and meanders, or there is a sameness of tension and pace. These 7… Read More
2017-04-27 05:22
Fantasy series such as George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and Rowling’s bestselling Harry Potter series still win over new generations of fans. How can you also w… Read More
2017-04-24 14:46
The best-loved fiction for children, teens and adults shares characters who feel familiar. This is because effective characters often have strong archetypal qualities. They have combin… Read More
2017-04-20 14:31
What are essential components of mystery plots besides suspicion and secrets? What can Arthur Conan Doyle and cult classic TV mystery series teach us about writing better mysteries? Read 7… Read More
2017-04-18 11:53
Every bestselling or critically acclaimed book began as a story premise. First came the idea the author wouldn’t let go. How do you find a compelling premise, one that gives you enoug… Read More
2017-04-13 12:59
What do we mean when we talk about ‘exposition’ in stories? ‘Narrative exposition’ is important information that gives readers your story’s backgroun… Read More
2017-04-06 11:24
‘Narration’ means ‘the action or process of telling a story’ (OED). There are many choices for how you narrate a story. For example, whose viewpoint is the focus? Or… Read More
2017-04-03 09:52
‘Show, don’t tell’ is something every aspiring author has heard or read at some point. It’s true that telling the reader about your characters’ acts and emotio… Read More
2017-03-30 11:31
Ever wanted to groan out loud at how obvious and unoriginal a phrase, plot point or character in a book was? Common clichés in fiction weaken the dramatic effect and imaginative powe… Read More
2017-03-27 12:00
Memorable character introductions draw readers in. Examples by accomplished authors show us how to introduce characters with entrances that make impact. Here are several ways to approa… Read More
2017-03-23 11:28
When you want to skillfully show or change points of view examples by accomplished authors help. Read 5 examples of skillful POV that show how to change points of view in a scene… Read More
2017-03-20 13:55
Characterization – how you make a fictional character seem like a real, living, breathing person – is tricky. Besides describing characters physically, you need to co… Read More
2017-03-16 13:05
The recurring ideas or broad themes of books give variety, depth and a sense of unity or cohesion. Theme examples from literature show us how authors illustrate what crucial ideas &helli…Read More
2017-03-13 13:27
Great authors show us there are many ways to start a story. You could begin a novel with a narrator/character introducing himself, like Salinger’s Holden Caufield or Dickens’ Da… Read More
2017-03-09 14:09
Narrating a story presents many choices. How will you bring time and place into your story? Whose POV will you tell the story from? How will you show characters’ pasts? Here are 5 exa… Read More
2017-03-06 09:05
Conflict is a key ingredient of an engrossing story. ‘Internal conflict’ and ‘external conflict’ are two terms you’ll often hear when people discuss character… Read More
2017-03-02 08:36
The central idea of a story is the seed from which the offshoots of plot, character and theme grow. It’s the core scenario that sets the action in motion. The themes of a novel are th… Read More
2017-02-27 09:34
Today we’re glad to interview literary agent Mark Gottlieb of Trident Media Group. Mark shares his insights into the process and benefits of finding a literary agent, the factors… Read More
2017-02-23 06:54
The Latin term in medias res literally means ‘in the midst of things’ and describes a story that skips exposition and starts with events already underway. Read further exp… Read More
2017-02-20 08:00
The best book setting ideas are effective. In a novel where the author performs careful worldbuilding, the story setting enriches plot events with atmosphere and mood; context and… Read More
2017-02-16 10:02
Naming characters for a novel or short story is sometimes tricky. Finding fictional character names that suit characters’ personalities or carry apt connotations is rewarding, though… Read More
2017-02-13 09:10
Writing romance is perennially popular, and romance novels continue to sell in great numbers. Learn how to write a romance novel and avoid cliches in your love story ideas, themes and chara… Read More
2017-02-09 10:30
Good story openings are challenging to write but an inviting or catchy first sentence reels readers into your fictional world. Here are 8 famous first lines that teach us how to begin… Read More
2017-02-06 10:30
Learning how to write a backstory requires balancing present and past narration. What is backstory? The simplest backstory definition is ‘a history or background created for… Read More
2017-02-02 10:46
Writing dialogue in a novel requires more than knowing how to write a conversation. Good dialogue intrigues, informs, moves a story along. Read 7 dialogue examples and the insights they giv… Read More
2017-01-30 11:27
Character description examples from major authors give us useful lessons in how to write characters. Here are 7 character sketches from famous novels that show how to create… Read More
2017-01-26 14:43
Understanding how to use writing tenses is challenging. How do you mix past, present and future tense without making the reader giddy? What is the difference between ‘simple’ an… Read More
2017-01-23 13:44
Learning how to make a good story great requires mastering the essentials of writing craft: Plot (cause and effect), characterization, narration, description and dialogue. If you’ve w… Read More
2017-01-19 11:41
Learning how to describe places and people lucidly is a vital skill for all fiction authors. Effective descriptive words show mood and character in addition to appearance. The best des… Read More
2017-01-16 12:07
If you’ve tried to write a novel and have put it aside, you might ask ‘What will help me write a book?’ It’s crucial, on the one hand, to choose a book idea tha… Read More
2017-01-12 12:44
How satisfying is a novel that sinks its hooks in from the first page? If you want to be read widely, it’s crucial to learn how to begin a novel so that you captivate readers fro… Read More
2017-01-09 15:00
Many aspiring authors worry about writing a book online and sharing their work for feedback. Others worry about the possible limitations sharing work (in part or full) might have on traditi… Read More
2017-01-05 08:30
Writing productivity tools and apps make it easier to structure your work and maximize what you get out of available writing hours. Here are 7 tools and apps that will help you finish… Read More
2017-01-02 21:23
The start of a new year is a time to plan new chapters, literally and metaphorically. Here are 7 writing resolutions worth trying if you’re serious about reaching all your writing goa… Read More
2016-12-19 12:07
Knowing how to describe setting vividly helps you craft settings that mirror your characters’ psychologies and personalities. A character’s home, for example, can give read… Read More
2016-12-15 15:00
The best articles on writing from 2016 made us see green. Read our list of 10 useful and insightful posts on the craft and psychology of writing from the past year that we&rs&helli…Read More
2016-12-12 11:14
As the year draws to a close, we’re rounding up the most popular posts from the Now Novel blog in 2016 as well as some of our favourite articles for authors from around the… Read More
2016-12-05 09:38
Writing first drafts of novels is challenging and completing your manuscript is a major achievement. Even so, if you end NaNoWriMo with a manuscript in hand, or you finish a book… Read More
2016-11-28 10:50
Learning how to describe a person so that the reader forms a vivid impression of your characters is essential for writing compelling stories. Read 7 tips for describing characters so they c… Read More
2016-11-21 09:34
If you want to become a better author, learning how to end a book well is crucial. After the final page, the reader shouldn’t feel how Dorothy Parker did when she (allegedly) wrote in… Read More
2016-11-17 08:03
Telling character backstory is sometimes necessary to show why your character has a specific motivation or mindset. Yet it’s important to learn how to write backstory that will not bo… Read More
2016-11-14 09:55
Learning how to write dialogue in a story is crucial. Writing gripping conversations that include conflict and disagreement and further your story will help to ensure readers want to read o… Read More
2016-11-10 08:30
Many aspiring authors have to learn how to find time to write with a full-time job. Being a stay-at-home parent also involves roles and responsibilities that can make writing time scarce. R… Read More
2016-11-07 08:41
‘My writing sucks’ is easy to tell yourself, but this is a story that all too often ends in writer’s block. Instead, use these 7 tips to find a way through self-doubt and… Read More
2016-11-03 09:00
Setting is the time and place that forms the backdrop for your story. Good novel settings require imaginative and vivid description. Immerse your readers in a mesmerizing fictional world an… Read More
2016-10-31 09:00
Writing the middle of a novel has its own unique challenges. You need to develop your story further after your engrossing start and set in place the path to the end. The curse of the … Read More
2016-10-24 07:35
Believable characters are the lifeblood of great stories. Get inspired and start creating characters readers don’t want to part with using these 8 tactics:
1: Do preliminary character… Read More
2016-10-20 09:00
Learning how to describe eyes in a story without resorting to cliché helps set your writing apart from amateurish fiction. Many beginning authors over-rely on eye descriptions and ey… Read More
2016-10-17 06:48
How do you write a great novel that has a satisfying storytelling arc? The dramatic arc of a novel – the way story events create rising and falling action – needs to be strong… Read More
2016-10-11 17:18
NaNoWriMo winners who reach the 50,000-word mark learn how to prepare, persevere and finish writing a novel under pressure. Use these resources to succeed and join their ranks:
NaNoWriMo Pr… Read More
2016-10-10 07:05
Writing flashbacks is an important skill to master if your novel cuts across time periods or strongly features characters’ memories. Here are 7 key steps for how to write a flashback… Read More
2016-10-03 07:25
When Chris Baty founded National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in 1999, a challenge for writing a novel in a month, there were only 21 participants. Now there are hundreds of thousands o… Read More
2016-09-29 11:05
Learning how to write a romantic book also means learning to avoid common romance writing mistakes. The best romance writers excel at finding romantic story ideas and fleshing them out… Read More
2016-09-26 07:05
Writing discipline isn’t mythical or something you simply either have or don’t. Organisation, writing structure and a sound plan keep you focused. Here are 7 quick tips and… Read More
2016-09-22 08:30
The mood of a story develops out of multiple story elements: Setting, description, dialogue, and pacing. Read a definition of mood in literature, then 5 simple tips to craft your own n… Read More
2016-09-19 10:30
In an otherwise well-written novel, plot weaknesses can derail the story and leave readers feeling unfulfilled and frustrated. Plot holes, unexplained departures from the established&n&helli…Read More
2016-09-15 08:05
Writing character relationships that make sense requires thinking about how relationships work. How and why do people interact in symbiotic or confrontational ways? Here are 6 tips for… Read More
2016-09-12 08:31
Great grammar gives your writing power. The author Joan Didion once said ‘Grammar is a piano I play by ear… All I know about grammar is its infinite power. To shift the structu… Read More
2016-09-08 09:02
There are many reasons to learn how to write a great short story, even if you consider yourself a novelist first. Short stories present many publishing opportunities in journals and magazin… Read More
2016-09-05 10:31
Writing a novel from start to finish requires writing consistently. Learning how to get in the mood to write even when motivation is low will ensure you finish. Try these 9 tips:
1: Sp… Read More
2016-09-01 10:40
Today we have a guest post on manuscript editing by author, blogger and writing teacher Janice Hardy:
Cutting words from your manuscripts doesn’t have to be a huge hack and slash deal… Read More
2016-08-29 16:29
There is no basic formula for how to start a novel in third person. Yet working with third person POV presents specific choices, challenges and advantages. Here are 7 tips for beginnin… Read More
2016-08-25 15:56
Different points of view in stories create useful individual effects. What is point of view and which point of view should you use when you write your novel? Read on for definitions of obje… Read More
2016-08-22 16:28
In a novel, plot structure can be organised in many different ways. If you structure your plot well, you’ll keep readers interested and focused. Here are 5 devices to c… Read More
2016-08-18 12:30
Dialogue rules aren’t set in stone but help us create believable characters who have distinct, memorable voices. The best dialogue gives insights into characters and their motiva… Read More
2016-08-15 09:43
Editing novel drafts requires a specific set of skills. It’s wise to use a professional editor if you are serious about getting published. Even so, editing your manuscript well b… Read More
2016-08-12 06:20
If you’re wondering how to write a classic, there’s no simple answer. Many different factors go into whether a book becomes a classic. Some are classics because they explore sig… Read More
2016-08-08 18:12
Learning how to write a detective story is a helpful process for any fiction author. This crime subgenre distills some of the most fundamental aspects of story. Cause and effect are st… Read More
2016-08-05 10:05
There are many reasons to learn how to write a romantic novel. For one, Romance remains an extremely popular and even lucrative genre. In 2015, the Romance Writers of America shared st… Read More
2016-08-01 17:03
Writing tips from authors who won the Nobel (such as Toni Morrison and Gabriel Garcia Marquez) are often worth taking to heart. Read 8 of the best pieces of writing advice from acclaim… Read More
2016-07-28 18:37
This guide to how to write a horror story covers the basics. First, read a definition of horror and common elements of horror fiction. Then read 6 tips on writing horror stor… Read More
2016-07-25 13:41
Learning how to plot a novel means first understanding the hallmarks of great plots. Secondly, you need to be able to incorporate these elements in your own writing. Here are 7 tips fo… Read More
2016-07-21 14:33
Common novel writing tips should never be applied without further thought. Here are 7 common writing tips you’ll hear in creative writing classes and writing groups th… Read More
2016-07-18 14:12
Learn how to write accents and dialects in your stories because it will help you write about crosscurrents between people and places. Regional dialects help to convey a sense of local chara… Read More
2016-07-14 13:39
The great writer Kurt Vonnegut’s best advice to writers, the 8 ‘rules’ reprinted in his story collection Bagombo Snuff Box (1999), has been shared often. Read Vonnegu… Read More
2016-07-11 13:19
‘Don’t use adverbs. Only ever use descriptive verbs.’ This is a writing ‘rule’ often repeated, partly thanks to Stephen King’s strong views on… Read More
Subscribe to Now Novel Writer's
Get updates delivered right to your inbox!