Articles about writing fiction

Writing App Reviews: Fictionary

by ProWritingAid Sep 17, 2018

Fictionary is your story editor who makes sure you don’t have gaping plot holes and character snafus. ProWritingAid is your copyeditor who makes your manuscript shine.

ProWritingAid and Fictionary, the editing bundle you do not want to miss.

by Lisa Lepki Sep 17, 2018

Fictionary works seamlessly with the ProWritingAid Chrome extension. Not only can you use both to improve your work at the same time, but there's a special offer on the Fictionary and ProWritingAid bundle: get both for just $99 until September 22nd.

Why a Good Cover Sells More Books

by Zara Altair Sep 11, 2018

Your book cover is the prime marketing tool for your book. Learn the basic elements and how to use them to your advantage to grab readers’ interest.

How to Use Deus Ex Machina Like Stephen King

by Kathy Edens Sep 11, 2018

Is deus ex machina "Persona Non Grata" in fiction? Here's the case for when it works and when it doesn't.

Why You Can’t Afford to Run Out of Ideas

by Kathy Edens Sep 10, 2018

Are ideas finite? What do writers do when they run out? If you're stuck, these tips can help.

Writing Character Voices: Channeling Your Inner Multiple Personalities

by Kathy Edens Sep 05, 2018

Think of the different voices you use in daily life. You have a certain voice you use with the boss, another one with your partner, and a completely separate one you save for your mother.

How you say things in each different voice results from your background, your education level, where you live, your personality traits and quirks, and to whom you’re speaking. Learn how to harness these voices to create the characters in your book.

5 Ways to Make Your Protagonist More Likable

by Kyle A. Massa Aug 28, 2018

"I don't like your protagonist." If this is what your readers say, consider these five tips.

Overcoming Your Fear: Just Write

by ProWritingAid Aug 28, 2018

Some writers become paralyzed by the blank page. They have a plot and subplot, characters’ voices, and amazing new worlds swirling in their heads. But when putting pencil to paper (or fingers to keyboard), fear takes over and shuts them down. It's time to stop letting fear win.

Do You Need a Degree to Be a Writer?

by Kathy Edens Aug 28, 2018

Could there be a more contentious question among the diverse set of writers in the world? Should you have a writing degree to write? We explore the answer in this blog post.

How to Create and Use a Character Bible for your Novel

by Zara Altair Aug 20, 2018

Your character bible is the place you collect information about all the characters in your novel so you have easy access to details as you write. In this article, we examine how to create and use a character bible.

In Defense of Passive Voice

by Kyle A. Massa Aug 20, 2018

Is passive voice always bad? Maybe not. Here are a few instances where you might want to use it.

How to Write a Tragedy Like John Green

by Kathy Edens Aug 20, 2018

As writers, we want to make sure our readers are happy with our tale's ending, so we often turn away from tragedies. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use a tragic hero in your story to juxtapose your protagonist. In this article, author Kathy Edens examines how to make your readers' hearts ache.

Clues, Evidence, and Red Herrings: Lead Your Reader Down the Mystery Path

by Zara Altair Aug 20, 2018

Discover the difference between clues, evidence and red herrings. Then, scatter them throughout your mystery novel to lead the detective and your reader down the discovery path to solving the puzzle. There's nothing like a good "who-dun-it!"

Title Your Novel for Maximum Visibility

by Zara Altair Aug 09, 2018

Wondering what to name your book? We discuss the steps to choosing a title for a novel, how to brainstorm titles, compare them to other titles in your genre, and test for feedback from readers.

How to Do Anthropomorphism Like Brian Jacques

by Kathy Edens Jul 27, 2018

How do you make anthropomorphism work in your writing? Author Kathy Edens takes a look at the best ways to make animals, books, teacups, and more come alive in your work.

Why Writing Helps You Figure Out What You Believe

by Kathy Edens Jul 27, 2018

Being a writer is like being a browser with hundreds of tabs open. You have tons of ideas flying by at every moment, but might not have enough time to capture them. The good news is, the more you build the habit of writing, the more you can jot down. And writing can even help with the biggest questions of all.

Essential Reading: the Best Books of All Time in Each Genre

by Lisa Lepki Jul 18, 2018

The best way to learn about great writing is to read great books. Writers need to read differently from other people. They can't just sit back at let the story wash over them. They need to be studying the work of their favorite authors and constantly asking themselves questions.

Is Your Novel Idea Worth a Book?

by Zara Altair Jul 17, 2018

Try these six story exercises to test your idea for a novel. Avoid wasting time on an idea that doesn’t work before making a commitment to an entire novel.

Are You a Night Owl or an Early Bird?

by Kathy Edens Jul 17, 2018

What kind of "fowl" are you—an early bird or a night owl? Author Kathy Edens examines how to best take advantage of your productive hours to write more.

Upcoming: Free Writing Workshop with Jerry Jenkins

by ProWritingAid Jul 17, 2018

A 21-time New York Times bestseller, Jerry Jenkins is the author of more than 190 books, which have sold over 70 million copies. Join our live webinar at 1 pm EST on July 25th when Jerry will be sharing the process that he has used to write four books a year since 1974. He'll also be doing a live Q&A after the training.