In a recent post on this blog, we discussed the literary term “trope,” and its various meanings and translations in today’s fiction industry. Specific elements are familiar to authors and readers alike. Examples of thematic tropes might include topics, such as “Good triumphs over evil,” or “Bad guys wear black and good guys wear white.” … Read more
Adding dialogue to a story is often a necessary component, one that many writers dread. It’s challenging at best and, perhaps, disastrous at worst. Fiction authors risk boring, confusing or disappointing their readers if their novels lack quality in dialogue. The idea of good versus bad writing is debatable. One thing is certain—all fiction authors … Read more
Authors who write stories grounded in the Biblical principles of Christianity face unique issues. They write in a specific niche. While there are no set rules, there are several unspoken norms, which readers of Christian romance novels might expect. For example, such readers would expect stories in this genre to be free from profanity and … Read more
Have you ever read a story that drew you in so deeply you were sad when it ended? You didn’t want to be without the characters. They’d become part of your daily life, so much so that you’d find yourself thinking about them, eagerly awaiting free time so that you could dive back into the … Read more
In a post on Author, an online publication dedicated to the creative writing process, writers are warned against “zombie” words. These are words most writers use at some point, perhaps not realizing just how often. We will refer to “zombie” words as “dead words” to make this post less terrifying, lol. No matter what you … Read more
It’s easy to see how an automobile has changed, adapted and advanced from its original form. In the writing industry, terminology sometimes evolves or changes in time just as inventions or products might do. There are words and phrases that are commonly understood to mean certain things among writers; however, such meanings sometimes change. Such … Read more
Most of us are familiar with major publishers, such as Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, and more. These companies provide readers with best-selling material from iconic authors, such as Tom Clancy, Nora Roberts, Nicholas Sparks, and others. However, if you’re writing niche books, and especially if you’re a new author, you might want … Read more
Students who study composition are typically familiar with basic essay or creative story writing skills. If you’re thinking of becoming an author, some of the lessons you learned in composition class may come in handy. One of the skills your instructor probably focused on at some point is “writing outlines.” Writing outlines helps authors organize … Read more
Is it possible to take your novel from manuscript to “book available for purchase” on your own? The overall answer is “yes,” although it might not be the best fit for you. Before jumping into those (often turbulent) waters head first, it’s wise to learn more about self-publishing as it compares to the traditional publishing … Read more
If you’ve been following this blog for a while now, you’ve no doubt read posts that mentioned “character development” as an integral component of quality writing in the fiction industry. Readers must believe your characters and must be able to relate to them. One of the most challenging characters to develop, especially as a new … Read more