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The Importance of Commas, Meter, and Reading Aloud for the Fiction Writer
By Dario Ciriello, @Dario_Ciriello Part of the How They Do It SeriesJH: How your writing sounds is just as important as how it reads. Dario Ciriello discusses how rhythm and meter work to create...
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NaNoWriMo Prep: Planning Your Novel’s Middle
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_HardyContinuing with the annual NaNo prep posts...we dive into the turning points and problems of writing your novel's middle.Middles might be the most common tough spot for...
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A Few Foundations of Fear in Fiction
By Bonnie RandallPart of The How They Do It SeriesJH: A lot of skill goes into making stories scary. Bonnie Randall shares five ways to put the fear into your fiction.It’s that season again! Fears,...
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NaNoWriMo Prep: Planning Your Novel’s Ending
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_HardyWe now come to the final installment of the annual NaNo prep articles. Hope everyone going for the 50,000 words in November are just about ready to go!Getting to “The End”...
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5 Tips for Scoring More Book Reviews
By Veronica MixonPart of The Indie Author Series JH: Reviews can make or break a book. Veronica Mixon shares tips on how to encourage more reviews. Veronica’s just a Florida girl living in a Georgia...
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Follow the White Rabbit: A Pantser’s Tale
By Patricia A. Jackson, @Treistan Part of the How They Do It Series JH: Every writer has their own process. Patricia A. Jackson shares how she follows her pantser heart.Patricia A. Jackson is a high...
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The Spouse's Guide to NaNoWriMo: Juggling Life and Writing in November
By Thomas HardyJH: Here's some advice on how the non-writers in your life can help you manage NaNo.Ah, November. The thrill of Halloween is fading. A chill is in the air. Autumn leaves are putting on...
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Fiction University Is on Hiatus Until 2022
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_HardyThis is the last post for a while. I've been struggling with this for weeks now, and finally accepted that I needed to close up shop and go on hiatus for the foreseeable...
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Why “The Worst That Can Happen” Is Terrible Writing Advice
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy The worst that can happen isn’t always the best thing for the plot. For many stories, the worst thing that can happen to the protagonist is that they die. The threat of...
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Pondering the Prologue: Keep it or Kill it?
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy Here are six reasons you may (or may not) need that prologue. Before I dive in today, I’m guest posting over at Writers in the Storm, with 5 Fun Ways to Take Advantage of...
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5 Ways Your Dialogue Annoys Your Readers
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy Make sure your dialogue is helping your story, not chasing readers away. I read a lot of first drafts, and one area that frequently needs work is the dialogue. It’s...
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Why Every Plot Needs A Ticking Clock
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy Sometimes, characters need a little boost to get them moving so the plot doesn’t stall. I tend to procrastinate, especially when I already have a lot that on my plate. My...
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How the Setting Raises Tension in Your Novel
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy Your characters’ world provides opportunities to create mood and raise the tension in your scenes. Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights is a perfect example of how...
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How to Make Readers Care About Your Protagonist—and Your Plot
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy If you’re struggling with a lagging story, a lack of character agency might be the reason why. A helpful-yet-brutal piece of critique feedback is “Why should I care?” Why...
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A Fun Way to Brainstorm Your Next Story Idea
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy Your favorite story, movie, or TV show can be the key to your next great novel idea.I think for most of us, ideas are pretty easy. They pop into our heads all the time,...
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3 Ways to Connect Your World to Your Story
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy Your story’s world can create unique problems for your protagonist. Every story starts a different way—not in the “Once upon a time” aspect, but in how the idea first...
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A Quick Tip for Getting to Know Your Characters--And Your Plot
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_HardyA single item can tell readers a lot about who your character is.Several years ago I sat in on an RWA workshop on character building, led by romance author Susan Elizabeth...
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Will They or Won’t They? Plotting With Yes or No Questions
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_HardyA strong scene is really just a series of questions. Plotting is both easy and hard. It's easy because it's has a simple set of rules and a clear structure on how it...
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On the Road: 3 Easy Tips to Help You Revise Your Novel
I'm guest posting over at Writers in the Storm today, chatting about ways to revise your novel. Come on over and say hello!Here's a sneak peek:3 Easy Tips to Help You Revise Your NovelWhile there’s...
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Dealing with Multiple Drafts During Revisions
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_HardyDuring a revision, trying to piece together all the best parts of your novel and still make the story feel cohesive can be a challenge.Some novels are really hard to...
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