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A 9-Step Plotting Path to a Stronger Novel
By Ann Harth, @Annharth Part of the How They Do It SeriesJH: There are as many ways to plot as there are to write. Ann Harth shares a character-focused process that helps her visualize her novel's...
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WIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at a Historical Fiction First...
Critique by Maria D'Marco WIP Diagnostics is a weekly column that studies a snippet of a work in progress for specific issues. Readers are encouraged to send in work with questions, and we diagnose it...
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Why Ask Why? Because Your Readers Will
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy Making readers wonder is a good thing—unless they have no clue why your characters are acting as they do, or your world makes no sense. It’s easy to think plotting is all...
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11 Reasons Why You Should Submit Your Short Stories to Anthologies
By Rayne Hall, @RayneHallPart of the Focus on Short Fiction SeriesJH: Submitting a short story to an anthology has a lot of benefits. Rayne Hall shares 11 reasons why you should give one a try.Getting...
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Forbidden Formats: The Risks and Rewards of Uncommon Narrative Structures
By Bonnie RandallPart of The How They Do It SeriesJH: Not every story needs to be told in the Three Act Structure. Bonnie Randall shares three examples of narrative structures that defy convention—and...
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WIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at Starting with Action in an...
Critique by Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy WIP Diagnostics is a weekly column that studies a snippet of a work in progress for specific issues. Readers are encouraged to send in work with questions, and...
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A Layered Method for Creating Consistent Characters
By Ann Harth, @Annharth Part of the How They Do It SeriesJH: A great character has more to them that just a few obvious traits. Ann Harth shares a layered approached to creating compelling characters...
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On the Road: Is Your Story Hurting Your Novel?
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_HardyI'm over at Writers in the Storm today with 5 Ways Your Story Hurts Your Novel. Here's a sneak peek:When your technical writing skills are at a professional level, but...
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Struggling with Writing Burnout? Try These Tricks
By Shanna Swendson, @ShannaSwendsonPart of The Writer’s Life Series JH: After years of difficult times for everyone, many writers are struggling with burnout. Shanna Swendson shares ways to deal with...
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I’m Taking a September Break
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_HardyEveryone, I have some news. Things are a bit tough in the Hardy House right now, so I’m taking a month off from work. The blog will be quiet until October, and I won’t be...
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NaNoWriMo Prep: Get Ready to NaNo Your Novel
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy If you're considering doing NaNo this November, it's time to start prepping.Writers all over the world are gearing up for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), so...
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WIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at a Romantic Suspense First Page
Critique by Maria D'Marco WIP Diagnostics is a weekly column that studies a snippet of a work in progress for specific issues. Readers are encouraged to send in work with questions, and we diagnose it...
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5 Ways to Restart Your Writing After a Break
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy Finding momentum after a writing break isn't easy, but there are tricks to ease yourself back into it. Writing breaks happen for many reasons—from life getting in the...
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Making Magic Systems That Work and Wow
By Bethany HenryPart of The How They Do It SeriesJH: There's something magical about making magic, and it's often a fantasy writer's favorite part of writing in that genre. Bethany Henry shares tips on...
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Placing Short Fiction, Part Two: Contests and Red Flags
By José Pablo Iriarte, @LabyrinthRatPart of the Focus on Short Fiction SeriesJH: Contests can be a great way to get your writing out there, but be wary of those who take advantage of writers. José...
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NaNoWriMo Prep: Planning Your Novel’s Beginning
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy Many writers know what they want to write about, but have no idea where to start.For many, the beginning of a novel is the hardest part. Getting the right opening scene,...
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WIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at Writing a Non-Human POV
Critique by Maria D'Marco WIP Diagnostics is a weekly column that studies a snippet of a work in progress for specific issues. Readers are encouraged to send in work with questions, and we diagnose it...
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How Far is Too Far? How Narrative Distance Affects Telling
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy There can be a fine line between a far narrative distance and telling. Not all points of view use the same narrative distance. A first-person point of view pulls readers...
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13 Tips for Writing a Halloween Story
By Rayne Hall, @RayneHallPart of the Focus on Short Fiction SeriesJH: Drawing inspiration from holidays is a great way to spark a new story. Rayne Hall shares 13 tips for writing a Halloween tale.A...
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Writers: How to Tell the Future
By R.W. W. Greene, @rwwgreene Part of the How They Do It Series JH: One of science fiction’s strengths is showing future possibilities and what life might be like in them. R.W.W. Greene shares tips on...
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