When YA Tropes Turn Toxic
They are the mandatory elements of the genre, but what happens when YA tropes turn toxic? Are we offering impressionable […]
Writing
Posts on the craft of writing
Overpowered by Coincidence
Ever read a novel and concluded the plot is overpowered by coincidence? A chance meeting in the middle of a
A Ten-point Story Audit
Here’s a ten-point story audit that only takes a few minutes and could save your novel in the early drafting
The Early/Late-Wide/Closeup Opening
Can you start a story with the early/late-wide/closeup opening? Or is that impossible?
Fantasy Book Cover Cliches Gallery 2
We present our Fantasy Book Cover Cliches Gallery 2. What turns a fantasy book cover into a cliche? Colors? Composition?
Eight Lessons from the Edit
If you want less pain the next time you work on a novel, you have to learn lessons from the
Six Essential Elements of Story
The closest I can give you to a writer’s cheat sheet: the six essential elements of story. Among the many
Fantasy Book Cover Cliches Gallery 1
Book covers have to fit in before they stand out. The tone, genre and story type need to be clear
Plot, Character and Second Sight
Why take the easy route when you can smash together plot, character and Second Sight? My fantasy series centers on
How Many Drafts?
How many drafts does it take to finish a book? Is there an ideal number? And what counts as a