How using different conflict styles can enhance your fiction

Posted on 05/17/2021 at 11:58 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

As you’ve certainly learned from living in a world with other people, we don’t all approach conflict the same way....

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Characters, Plot / narrative, Writer Unboxed

Kris Rusch launches a series on fear-based decision-making

Posted on 05/16/2021 at 12:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Some people pride themselves on making decisions rationally; others credit their gut as guiding their reactions. When Kristine Kathryn Rusch...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Motivational

The essential pieces of a mystery novel

Posted on 05/15/2021 at 12:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

At its simplest, a mystery novel is a puzzle. But as Zara Altair points out, there are certain features to...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Mystery, Plot / narrative, Zara Altair

The benefits of selling books directly to readers

Posted on 05/14/2021 at 03:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Nate Hoffelder has previously explained the technical details of selling books through your author website. He also recently explained, in...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors), The business of writing, The Digital Reader

Keep boring conversations out of your fiction

Posted on 05/14/2021 at 10:55 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Editor Louise Harnby opens her discussion of effective, compelling dialogue with a handy trick. Evaluate your dialogue by three measures:...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Editing, Louise Harnby, Writing advice, Dialogue

Anne R. Allen: Rethink the definition of an unsympathetic character

Posted on 05/13/2021 at 03:34 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

There’s no shortage of advice on what to consider when creating a protagonist. Anne R. Allen chimes in with a...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Characters, Writing advice

An author's favorite tips for writing a near-future dystopian novel

Posted on 05/13/2021 at 11:00 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

We’ve shared advice on writing historical fiction — in which everything has definitely happened — and on writing science fiction/fantasy...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Plot / narrative, Writer's Digest

Creative ways to market a children's book

Posted on 05/12/2021 at 01:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Knowing your target audience is, of course, key to any genre of writing. But it’s especially important for those writing...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Children's literature, Marketing, Penny Sansevieri

What followers, true fans, and superfans can do for an author

Posted on 05/12/2021 at 09:12 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Orna Ross, director of the Alliance of Independent Authors, has shared an excerpt from her latest book. The segment from...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors), Marketing

An expert's explanation of how novices might fight

Posted on 05/11/2021 at 03:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Most questions of professionals ask how writers can depict an expert accurately. But knowing how a novice would attempt something...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Writer's Digest, Writing advice