Blurring the Lines: Creativity and Accuracy in Historical Fiction
Historical fiction is a genre that allows readers to step back in time and experience events, places, and people as if they were truly there. Instead of reading a list of facts and dates, readers get to watch characters live through these moments. This blend of imagination and reality makes the past feel more vivid […]
Adverbs Aren’t the Enemy: How to Use Them Wisely
Adverbs are small things but they create a lot of debate. You’ve probably heard that they’re unnecessary and clutter up your sentences. You might have heard the extreme rule “Never use adverbs!” But – as with everything – moderation is key. While it’s true that adverbs can be abused or overused (especially with new writers), […]
Clever, Not Invincible: Keeping Your Characters From Being Overpowered
Have you ever read a book or watched a movie where the hero never got hurt? No matter how many enemies came after them, they always took them out. No matter how many bullets just missed their head, they always managed to dodge. That was an overpowered character. That is boring. It takes all the […]
Unheard Voices: How to Portray Mute Characters Authentically
Writing a mute, nonverbal, or nonspeaking character can allow you to explore new ways of expression, communication, and interaction. Novels depend heavily on dialogue, so when someone appears who doesn’t speak verbally, you are challenged to improve your understanding of your world, characters, their personalities, and how to write detailed, compelling narratives. It doesn’t come […]
Title Matters: How to Name Your Book
If you’re a writer, you’ve probably used a working title – a temporary name for your project. A working title can be anything. For some, it is a word or phrase that reminds them of their WIP, such as Jane Austen’s working title “First Impressions” for what eventually became “Pride and Prejudice.” For others, it […]
Sinister Scribbles: Writing Compelling Villains
A good villain can make or break entire stories. There are so many stories that would be way better if they had an interesting villain, or stories that would fall apart if their villains weren’t as memorable. But what makes those villains “memorable” in the first place? If you’re looking to write a story and […]