Have you ever wondered what makes a story truly captivating?  It’s the plot—the backbone of any great narrative.  By understanding how plot works and mastering it… Read More

You’ve poured your heart and soul into your novel, carefully crafting each chapter to build toward the final pages.  But as you approach the end, you might find yourself wonder… Read More

Welcome to our ultimate guide on pacing and tension in storytelling.  Whether you’re penning a thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats or a romance that slowly s… Read More

Want to write your book faster and more efficiently? Unleash your inner writing speed demon with the power of a skeleton outline!  You’ll be amazed at how this simple tool c… Read More

Need some nifty new words to make your characters jump off the page?  Look no further!  This treasure trove of 71 positive “n” adjectives will give you the tools… Read More

If you’re like most writers and authors, chances are you’ve got stacks of books piling up, silently judging you for the space they’re hogging.  Before you consider… Read More

Choosing the perfect name for your superhero is more than just a creative exercise; it’s a fundamental step in bringing your character to life.  For new writers, this task can… Read More

As you craft stories and prose, being mindful of connotation versus denotation can profoundly impact your writing.  While denotation refers to the explicit or dictionary definition o… Read More

Looking for some scary story ideas for your next writing project? Sometimes, a good scary prompt idea is all you need to get started on a dark story your readers won’t be able to pu… Read More

Delve into worlds as captivating as the Carolina coast in “Where the Crawdads Sing” with these 23 remarkable reads.  Just like Delia Owens’ masterpiece, each book o… Read More

Whether you’re working on the next great American novel or drafting your company’s annual report, choppy, disjointed writing kills readability.  Smooth, seamless prose sw… Read More

“Per our conversation” is a phrase that’s frequently tossed around, and today, we’re breaking it down. What does it mean? Is it grammatically sound? When sho… Read More

When writing fiction, it’s more usual to use either first person, third person omniscient, or third person limited. Second person has its drawbacks and limitations, but sometimes i… Read More

A book series is the literary equivalent of a long-running television show. They feature in-depth plots and detailed character development, making them more engaging to many readers. T… Read More

Are you in search of books similar to The Love Hypothesis? If so, you’ve landed in the right place. Because today, we’re looking at 15 romance novels that feature either a… Read More

Tell us about yourself. Scary, right!? Welcome to the art of writing personal narratives. It’s one of the most intimidating but powerful writing styles out there. But don&r… Read More

Are you looking for books similar to 1984, George Orwell’s magnum opus?  If so, you’ve crash-landed into the right spot. Our team curated a list of 19 novels for reade… Read More

Interested in self-publishing books for babies and toddlers? If so, and your target market is infants and toddlers, you’ll need to read up on the “board book business.”… Read More

People throw around the word “irony” a lot, but its exact definition eludes many. In their seminal work, The King’s English, the Fowler brothers (aka, the GOATS of gramm… Read More

As a writer, infusing your work with sympathy and empathy is a significant part of developing relatable characters and believable situations.  Without them, stories are about as enga… Read More

Have you ever struggled to find just the right word to describe someone’s unique, hilarious, or eccentric qualities? Look no further!  We’ve put together a fabulous co… Read More

Every story is written using a particular point of view. The story might be from the point of view of one or more characters, like first person or third person limited, or from a narrator… Read More

Writing a good fight scene is one of the hardest things an author can do.  You’ve got so much to keep track of, especially if it’s a fight between multiple, or even hundr… Read More

Most stories tend to be predominantly either character-driven or plot-driven.  That’s not to say that plot-driven stories ignore character-building altogether or that character… Read More

I don’t know about you, but I love going on road trips and listening to audiobooks. A road trip feels like a true adventure — much more so than air travel, which involves so m… Read More

Every writer wants their books to be full of characters that leap off the page, the kind of characters that readers can’t resist.  We want our books to be unputdownable, with r… Read More

For writers, using romance novel tropes can be an excellent way to build a story.  You’ll be secure in knowing that your readers will quickly recognize the type of story it is… Read More

If any topic will cause a collective groan from writers, it’s punctuation.  Some writers are precise with their commas and other forms of punctuation.  Yet others scatt… Read More

Writing a whole novel can seem like such a daunting task.  But it’s far easier to complete a novel if you break it down.  Writing a book outline is a really helpful way… Read More

What gets readers’ attention when they’re looking for a new love story to read?  Of course, there’s the cover to draw them in, but when your readers can only see a… Read More

Have you ever had the experience of reading, or even writing, a passage from a book that made your breath catch?  The kind of writing that had you reading that sentence or paragraph… Read More

Maybe you’re looking for ways to increase your freelance writing income or you dream of authoring a bestselling novel. Whichever the case, you’re searching for tutorials on ho… Read More

We now have so many choices in how we consume literary information, from non-fiction to a rattling good story with fiction.  We can enjoy eBooks, paperbacks, hardbacks, large print… Read More

Did you just finish Kristen Hannah’s latest bestseller? Are you now searching for more books like The Nightingale? Or maybe you binged Firefly Lane on Netflix and are searching… Read More

First impressions are essential — especially when it comes to poetry. As is the case with each stanza, poem titles should be pithy and pregnant with meaning.  It’s a t… Read More

When you think about the sheer number of things involved in putting a cookbook together, it really can seem overwhelming.  But don’t panic.  We’ve got just what y… Read More

Are you searching for authors similar to Stephen King? Want to find other writers who explore the shadow world with page-turning stories that keep you glued to your chair? If so, welco… Read More

Are you a “CoHort” searching for books and authors similar to Colleen Hoover? If so, welcome! For you, we’ve curated a list of 15 writers who will quench your thirst… Read More

If you’re wondering how to describe a book but can’t find the right words, you’ve come to the right place. Doing it well is an art and can lead to more sales. So toda… Read More

You enjoy the idea of audible, but the actual experience has been hit or miss in your estimation. Why?  In many cases, it all comes down to the narration x-factor. Bluntly stated:… Read More

What is a book, exactly? Technically and rudimentarily speaking, it’s a compendium of pages bound together with a protective cover.  The word “book” is also used… Read More

Meditating is more than sitting quietly and focusing on your breath — (although that is also an option). There are myriad ways to develop a meditation practice, including guided ima… Read More

Researching pseudonyms for authors is an academic pursuit in and of itself, and an author’s pen name can reveal a lot about their life and time.  So today, we’re looking… Read More

How often do you question if you’re using the correct punctuation or proper verb tenses when you’re writing?  Do you have a grammar app but sometimes wonder if the sugges… Read More

Do you and your love partner make daily efforts to strengthen and improve your relationship? If not, you might want to pay attention because the quality of your love relationship determin… Read More

Are you in the market for free book summaries?  Or maybe you’re willing to pay a few bucks a month to access high-level synopses and study guides? Well, you’ve landed… Read More

Whether you’re a writer trying to describe your characters or simply writing a message to a loved one, finding the right word can be difficult.  Today, we’ll help you fin… Read More

Do you dream of becoming a best-selling author? Or maybe you want to be a web content writer who makes six figures a year. Whichever the case, writing prompt generators can be a huge… Read More

Double consonants are a complicated part of the English language. Mastering the rules affecting them will level up your spelling comprehension.  But fair warning: things can &mda… Read More

Writers don’t have trouble finding their own voice, but what about when you need other voices, as in character dialogue?  A conversation between two or more characters is almos… Read More

All writers know the feeling. You’re staring at a blank screen, and the words just won’t come. Anxiety about the writing task that lies ahead puts a knot in the pit of your… Read More

Writers who make effective use of loaded language produce influential and memorable writings.  A word’s meaning changes depending on how you use it and the meaning of other wor… Read More

Do you know the difference between a hyphen and a dash? Or between an en dash and an em dash?  (Who even came up with the en dash as a separate thing?) Even if you’re pr… Read More

You’ve run across epigraphs that made you smile — and some that sent a chill up your spine.  You have some idea of what it is, but what purpose does an epigraph serve?&nb… Read More

You’ve got some great content you want to add to your book. But you’re not sure if including it in the main body of your work is a good idea.  Though it’s helpf… Read More

Would you like to illustrate your own children’s book?  If you already have some skill at drawing, you have an advantage. If not, this skill is definitely in the realm of t… Read More

You’re ready to publish a children’s book on Amazon. By now, you’ve put hours, weeks, months, or possibly years into crafting this labor of love.  It’s a… Read More

You’re looking for inspiring examples of children’s book illustrations — perhaps because you’d like to create your own.  Even if you’ve decided to hire… Read More

Low content publishing is having a moment. And while it may have started with journals, this publishing genre has expanded to include a variety of low-content printables.  We bet… Read More

What are the differences between autobiographies and biographies?  The two words are not interchangeable. And neither is a subset of the other. Once you get a handle on what… Read More

You’re mapping out your story, playing with ideas for its beginning, middle, and end. You’ve read so many beautifully-written stories by now. You’re no stranger to… Read More

The first thing you need to know is this: the introduction of a book is, at its essence, a sales letter from you (the author)  to your ideal reader.  The goal isn’t to daz… Read More

Are you searching for some great motivational books to read? Self-help motivational books sometimes don’t get the credit that they deserve. While some are filled with advice that… Read More

The most powerful way to engage your reader is to invoke strong emotion. Readers who quickly empathize are more likely to keep reading a story that invites them to do just that. … Read More

Dedicating a book to someone is a big deal. And since you’ve no idea whether your current work in progress will be your last, you want this one to count.  We all make mista… Read More

One of the most important pages in your book’s front matter is the title page. Why is it so important, though, when it basically repeats everything you see on the book’s cover… Read More

Unless it’s a novel with numbers for chapter titles, the table of contents (TOC) offers a handy overview of the contents in a book you’re considering.  Especially with no… Read More

Before we get into all the details on how to write a copyright page, it’s worth mentioning that this isn’t a legal requirement. Your published work is protected by copyright… Read More

The best biographies of all time are those that have left echoes in our collective consciousness. Precisely because of the legacy left by the subjects of those biographies — and the… Read More

Who doesn’t love well-crafted makeout scenes that leave you feeling warm, tingly… and maybe a bit jealous? If you’ve ever read a kissing scene that made you forget eve… Read More

Do you know when to use a comma before which — and when not to?  Right. That’s why you’re here. You’ve seen the word “which” used with and wit… Read More

If your teachers taught you to underline book titles, it probably didn’t make sense to argue.  Plus, underlining is just easier when you’re writing things out by hand.&n… Read More

Who doesn’t love unexpected plot twists? Just when you think you know what’s coming…   BOOM!  A devastating secret or unknown danger comes to ligh… Read More

It happened again! Someone flouted one of the grammar rules you hold most dear. Is this what anarchy sounds like? On the other hand, maybe you feel vindicated whenever someone end… Read More

Like other homophone pairs, baring and bearing sound the same but have different meanings. And like many homophones, they’re often confused with each other.  Fortunately, w… Read More

Can a sentence start with because? It’s a good question. And it deserves a clear and well-considered answer.  If you’re like many of us, your elementary school gr… Read More

What does it mean to write from the first-person point of view? And what are the top benefits and pitfalls of a first-person narrative?  Think of the stories you’ve enjoyed… Read More

English is a living language, which means it’s continually growing and adapting to reflect vernacular usage. Even words that don’t exist in English (officially) can find thei… Read More

Writing short stories is an excellent way to hone your writing and storytelling skills. Whatever your chosen genre, it helps to know the key differences between short story writing and n… Read More

How do beginners practice writing? Here you are as an adult who’s decided to make writing an essential part of your life.  However little practice you’ve had until no… Read More

The “capitalize after colon” question is a bit divisive. So, it pays to know what the different style manuals have to say about it.  What you learned with the MLA han… Read More

An essential part of being a writer is daily practice—even if that practice is only a few minutes. And even when the results are less inspired than you hoped.  As long as y… Read More

The best characters show rather than tell the kinds of people they are.  That’s where character mannerisms come in; they connect storytelling imagery and actions to each charac… Read More

With all the types of creative writing to choose from, it’s hard enough to focus on just one or two of your favorites.  When it comes to writing your own examples, don’t… Read More

When you’re creating a specific mood with your writing, every word has to earn its place. If the mood is sexy (and yes, that’s an option), it can’t hurt to have a sexua… Read More

Sometimes, a title says all your cover needs to say (other than your author name).  But more often than not, at least when it comes to nonfiction, a good subtitle can be the differen… Read More

Maybe you’re here wondering which came first — headings in books or headings in shorter pieces like articles, essays, and blog posts. Aside from school textbooks, you wonder… Read More

You’ve read enough stories to know how compelling tragic heroes can be. And you have ideas for one of your own.  You just need to know what traits will make them irresistib… Read More

Stumped about what to write today? You’re in good company. There’s no shame in admitting that, either. Even the best writers have days when they could use a little hel… Read More

What is passive voice misuse? How do you know if you’re overdoing it with passive voice constructions? And is active voice always better?  If you’ve ever run your… Read More

Hands up if you’ve enjoyed a funny series or movie lately and hoped the writers were well-paid for their work?  Laughter is good medicine. So, think of the comedy writing p… Read More

I love to write, but I’m not so crazy about grammar. Learning about words that dangle, split, and get misplaced isn’t my idea of fun. However, as an English major in colleg… Read More

Having trouble deciding what to write about yourself?  Whether you’re writing for your journal, your memoir, or a class assignment, you have plenty of topics about yourself to… Read More

You know where your characters live and the places they visit in your story. You can picture the places clearly. But how do your readers know whether your main character lives in a vi… Read More

When one of your characters is going through something, how do you communicate that to your readers?  Think of a scene in one of your own stories where the protagonist is in a foul m… Read More

Mood and tone are essential elements of any written work.  Both come from the author’s mind but are also influenced by the reader’s. Both factor into a reader’s… Read More

Your story’s main character is the most amazing person you’ve ever created. And you can’t wait to introduce them to your readers.  To that end, you’re loo… Read More

You’ve been learning so much about self-publishing. And you’re not afraid of working for the success you want.  It’s not secret self-publishing has its challeng… Read More

Could your newest book benefit from a foreword? You’ve seen them in other books, and you’ve thought, “How could I get someone famous to write a foreword for mine?&rdquo… Read More

What is the purpose of a preface? And does your book even need one?  Not every book has a preface, after all. And you’re more likely to see one in a nonfiction book than in… Read More