A subplot is “a secondary plot string that runs parallel to the main plot,” as ScreenCraft puts it. I invited fellow editor, book coach,...

These fantasy and sci-fi worldbuilding fundamentals can act as the foundation of your story so you can start writing sooner rather than...

Podcast Episode Medium Transcript What’s the most engaging way to start a story? How do you approach returning to an old project? Diane...

Countless elements contribute to great storytelling, but one in particular will strengthen your story’s potency on a character, plot,...

Many writers dread writing descriptions. It’s difficult to know what to include, and it requires a lot of mental energy to summon...

Incorrectly punctuated dialogue is one of the most frequent mistakes I see in manuscripts from writers who are just starting out....

I did a writing and editing Q&A with Daily Prompt over on their YouTube channel! We chatted about a smorgasbord of topics: + What makes...

After judging novel openings for the Page Turner Awards this summer, I decided to write a Medium article filled with writing tips I...

Can you be a writer if you don’t read? No one is stopping you from being a writer if you don’t read; however, if you truly want to be a...

A story concept is the general idea of what a story will be about in terms of the plot, characters, and setting. As a writing exercise,...

As a developmental editor and writer, I’ve noticed patterns in the types of problems new writers often face. This video covers ten of the...

Titles shine a spotlight on the heart of the novel, directing readers’ attention to an important element that thematically ties the story...

Plotters outline and plan their stories in advance. Pantsers write by the seat of their pants, inventing the story as they go along. And...

“Don’t tell me the moon is shining. Show me the glint of light on broken glass.” – Anton Chekov Writers often have different definitions...

Third person (he, she, they) is one of the standard points of view for writing fiction. In this video, I’ll explore the advantages and...

Literary vs. genre fiction, mainstream vs. commercial, realism vs. escapism—do these distinctions really matter? For both readers and...

I could write opening sentences all day. They’re what get me excited to begin a new story, both as a writer and as a reader. Journey with...

Your characters drive the story, so it’s important that they be figures worth following. Using my acronym ARCS, I’ll show you how to...

Most writers are already familiar with the definitions of first, second, and third person, but in this three-part series, I’ll delve...

You don't need to write every day, but you can still aspire to reach a daily word count if the momentum keeps you going. Here, you'll...