How to add humor to romance & suspense writing
How can writers add humor without weakening romance, suspense, or emotional stakes? Bestselling author Lucy Score shared her approach to banter, creative insults, secondary characters, and balancing comedy with serious themes.
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What’s the secret behind Stephen King’s success?
Stephen King: more than just horror. Thriller author Andy Maslen reveals why writers worldwide call him the writer's writer.
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How writers can write complicated plots
Writing a complicated plot doesn't have to mean drowning in chaos. Hugo and Nebula Award-winner David D. Levine breaks down his unique "beads on a string" framework — a practical way to map cause and effect, manage multiple storylines, and decide what order to put scenes on the page. Whether you're a plotter or a pantser, these tips will help you take control of even the most tangled story.
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Using conflict story beats for maximum impact
Conflict in fiction is more than fistfights and villains. It lives in every scene, shapes every character, and keeps readers invested from page one to the last.
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How to write a gripping first page
Writing a gripping first page is your single best tool for hooking any reader. Learn the do's, don'ts, and expert strategies that make every word count.
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Small-town settings to anchor your story
Bestselling legal thriller author Robin James shares her proven strategies for building small-town settings that feel like living, breathing characters in your fiction.
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Secrets of writing in different voices
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler shares his proven tips for writing compelling characters in different voices — from people-watching to stealing from Shakespeare.
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Proper character development is key…
Using Enneagram personality types for character development gives writers a powerful framework to build consistent, emotionally grounded characters that drive believable stories.
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Mind your language: Repetition, clichés and modifiers
Repetition, clichés and modifiers can quietly sink good fiction. Here's how to catch the phrases your reader has heard a thousand times before — and replace them with something worth reading.
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Weaving historical research into a novel
Alessandra Torre talks with bestselling Historical Romance author Audrey Harrison about conducting research for your novel - and how to turn that research into stories that readers will love.
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FDF #75: How to add humor to romance and suspense writing
Happening on Friday, March 22, 2024 at 5 pm ET. In this episode of First Draft Friday, our guest is instant #1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Score. Lucy will discuss how she adds humor to her work - and share tips on how you can do the same. You won’t want to miss this FREE live chat! In this First Draft Friday video chat, Lucy will answer your questions and share her experience.
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FDF #73: Writing Third-Person Thrillers
In this episode of First Draft Friday, our guest, bestselling thriller author Melissa Miller, discusses writing in multiple third-person POV thrillers.
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