The importance of pacing in fiction writing
Everyone notices pacing in a story, whether they can label it or not. There’s an expectation in fiction that a story will not only contain certain elements but deliver them at a pace that feels right for the setting and characters.
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How to structure your novel
Jim Woods, a full-time writer with seven years of experience, provides authors with a simple way to structure their novel and create a compelling story that draws in the reader.
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Building strong side characters
In the latest First Draft Friday, author Cindy Skaggs discusses how you can use secondary characters to improve your novel.
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Tips for building your editorial team
In the latest First Draft Friday, editor Marion Archer discusses what to look for when putting together an editorial team for your book edit.
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Authors’ writing advice comes to life
Here's a look at writing advice from some of the world's best known authors, along with their animated images in MyHeritage's trippy AI program Deep Nostalgia.
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Examples of narrative arcs in modern fiction
Do novels share certain storytelling patterns? An A.I. has determined that most best-sellers use one of seven universal plot archetypes.
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The storytelling secrets of ‘The Queen’s Gambit’
A look at the storytelling techniques in the Netflix series "The Queen's Gambit" and how authors can learn its techniques.
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How to use setting in your fiction writing
Bestselling author Maria Luis joins First Draft Friday to talk about how writers can use setting and location in their novels.
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Self-editing tips from a bestselling author
On the lastest First Draft Friday, we brought in bestselling romance author Penny Reid to share the to-do list that she moves through when performing a self-edit of her manuscript.
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How to create a coherent crime series
A crime fiction author offers writing tips for creating coherent series that have both commercial potential and creative freedom.
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How many acts should your novel have?
Given the limitations of the three-act structure, here are the benefits of using a four-act structure in your novel writing.
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Skeleton drafts: A better way to outline novels
Skeleton drafting is the technique you can use to plot intricate, action-packed, emotionally-charged books quickly – while enjoying every word you write as a fiction author.
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