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.
Building Emotional Stakes: Why Your Story Needs More Than Just Explosions
Emotional stakes are what lead up to those gut-punch moments in a story that make readers care about what’s going on. If you’re new to writing or stuck on a draft that’s just not clicking, this is where you can fix it. Stakes aren’t just about someone getting chased by a bear. They’re about what’s […]
Layering Conflict to Bring Your Draft to Life
A lot of new writers (and even some who’ve been at it a while) get stuck with a half-finished manuscript because their stories lack the magnetic pull that keeps readers flipping pages late into the night. Their characters are going nowhere, or their plot feels stuck in the mud. The fix isn’t anything new or […]
The Emotional Arc: Where Story Meets Soul
Stories live and breathe on the emotions they spark. From triumph and excitement to despair and heartbreak, these emotional beats not only keep readers flipping pages but also immerse them in the characters’ inner worlds. Highs and lows come at key moments, affecting motivation, relationships, and ultimately the character’s sense of self. That emotional thread […]
Middle Grade, Part 3: Plotting Dynamic Adventures
Plotting a middle grade novel requires a careful approach that respects the norms and expectations of the category while also bringing a fresh perspective to the table. MG challenges authors to weave compelling narratives through relatable characters, problems, and themes that resonate with young readers without preaching at or overtly teaching them. To do this, […]