How to Diagnose a Weak Chapter Before You Rewrite It
A chapter can feel weak even when the writing itself is fine. Learn how to diagnose problems with goals, conflict, stakes, pacing, scene purpose, and character development before you start rewriting.
Prose vs. Screenwriting: What Changes When a Story Moves to the Screen?
Adapting a story isn’t about copying a book scene by scene into screenplay format. Get a better idea of preserving the story’s emotional and thematic core while reshaping it for a visual medium and learning the difference between storytelling in both mediums.
Adding Mental Health Representation to Fantasy Writing
Mental health representation in fantasy writing doesn’t have to mean curses to defeat or characters who are fixed by the final chapter. It can be quieter than that. You can add nuance to the way you highlight your characters’ mental struggles with these tips.
Flash Fiction Prompts: Leaving One Life Behind in 300 Words
Go over three flash fiction prompts that focus on “saying goodbye”, whether to someone, some place, or something, as a way to practice your implication skills. Readers love a story that doesn’t spell everything out for them, and these prompts can help you practice that specific part of your writing.
The Problem With “Trauma Porn” in YA Fantasy
Trauma isn’t something to use as shock factor or to force character development just because you couldn’t find any other way to. Suffering builds character, sure, but using it as a way to be edgy can ruin your story for readers. Here’s some pointers on how to present trauma in your YA fantasy story.
When Your YA Hero Has Anxiety But The Plot Still Has Dragons
Young adult fantasy is known for high stakes. There are magical systems, political tensions, ancient threats, and impossible choices. Everything is bigger and louder than real life. And yet, the characters readers remember most often feel very human. They worry. They hesitate. They second-guess themselves. They imagine what could go wrong before it does. In […]