Writing Techniques

Latest Articles


 		How to Become a Writer
Learn the steps to form and shape your writing. Writing tips help aspiring writers take their ideas from early stages of prewriting to a final draft worthy of sharing.
How a Story Hook Helps to Get a Novel Published
Is there a foolproof recipe for a good story opening? Unfortunately, no - but these guidelines offer tips for writers on effective ways to get a reader's attention.
E-Prime Aids Compassionate Communication
A simplified version of the English language helps users clarify meaning and aids peaceful communication.
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers – Wordiness
Writers can jinx their chances of publication simply by being too wordy. Just what does 'wordiness' mean, and how can it be fixed? Mostly, it's simply too many words.
Writing a Novel – Tips on Using Humour
What are the secrets to writing humorous fiction successfully? (What if the writer is the only one who thinks it's funny?) There are "Comedy Guidelines" that will help.
Troubleshooting a Weak Climax in a Novel
If the climax of a novel seems off, here are a few common weaknesses that can be fixed.
Creating an Emotionally Resonant Climax
There are four steps that can heighten tension and reader interest in the climax of a story.
Writing Literature With Sense of Time and Place
Narrative writing needs time and place to give the story context. The best writing literature uses psychology of characters and setting in descriptive writing.
Using a Story Map to Write a Book
The story map is a road map and combined with mind mapping it helps the author navigate off the main road, finding new plot points, keeping the main story goal intact.
How to Reduce a Word Count in Books and Stories
Sometimes writers have to adhere to a set word count to suit editorial guidelines; sometimes an editor will request cuts. Here are five useful tips on how to cut words.
How to Have Fun Writing
By choosing to write without any external motivators, writers of every age may rediscover their enjoyment of the craft. This article explains how.
Author Research – Resources for Book Locale
The setting or locale of a novel makes an important contribution to reading pleasure. Good author research gives concise facts that can capture a locale in a few words.
Literary Technique - The Pun for Humor or Tedium
One of the oldest forms of humor is the pun. This comedy device depends on the use of two words that happen to sound alike, but which have different meaning.
Fiction Writing Tips for Novice Writers
Useful tips for beginning writers that will help to improve the odds of getting published.
Author Research for Creative Writing
Authenticity of detail establishes credibility in a novel and enthrals the reader. Novel writers must use these valuable information resources in the research stage.
Eliminate Repetive Scenes
Utilize a scene index to look at your novel's story structure and identify possible repetitious scenes to beef up the pacing.
Heighten the Climax By Resolving Subplots
Simplifying the plot by tying up subplot threads can make the climax more emotionally heightened.
Plot Structure as Part of the Writing Process
New writers are often daunted by the lengthy novel writing process. This article offers a simple step-by-step creative writing guide to the pre-planning of a novel.
Creating Short Fiction
Add elements of theme, plot, setting, and viewpoint that work with the characters, make the conflict real, and the change will create the logical ending to the story.
Writing Interesting Valleys in Between Peaks
In lulls in the novel, narrow the scene's focus or change things up to keep the reading pace strong.
Control Story Flow With Sequels
Dwight Swain's Sequel can be broken down into easy segments to enable the writer to write a strong story segment that develops character and transitions to the next Scene
Writing Conflict-Filled Scenes
Dwight Swain's Scene can be broken down into easy segments to enable the writer to write a high tension, interesting story segment.
Imitating to Improve Writing Style
Many of those in the writing and publishing world believe imitating the style of other authors can help aspiring writers create a writing style of their own.
How to Write Faster and Reach Word Count Goals
Success in NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, depends just as much on time management as it does on creativity. Block writing, timers, and word wars can help.
Four Ways to Deal With Writer's Block
Some writers believe that "writer's block" is just a euphemism for laziness; others are driven to desperation. So... how can you write a book when the words won't flow?
Positive Narration and Vibrant Description
Good description and narration are great ways to develop characters and plot in a story. Authors looking to improve writing style may consider these useful writing tips.
Writing in Class or Writing Alone?
Is it better to be a self-taught writer, or to take lessons from others? Find out the advantages of both methods here.
4 Writing Exercises to Hone Viewpoint Technique
Why is 'point of view'(or POV) so hard to master? Take heart: a few simple exercises in writing from different viewpoints may be all that's needed for understanding.
Better Grammar for Better Fiction
Many aspiring authors have great stories but can be hindered by improper spelling and word usage. A great story can be made even better with a few good spelling tips.
Is the Pen Mightier Than the Keyboard?
Word processing software has created a generation of writers who write without putting pen to paper. Find out the pros and cons of writing by hand and by computer here.
The Search for Suitable Synonyms
A handy guide to choosing engaging verbs, nouns and adjectives.
Creative Writing-Show, Don't Tell
Many beginning writers make the mistake of telling, rather than showing, their stories. Here are some examples of how to show instead of tell.
Simile and Metaphor in Descriptive Writing
Literary devices, also called figurative language, are used in writing fiction to create memorable imagery. Simile and metaphor are two of the easiest to learn.
Creating Great Prose
Learn to deal with typos, over-description and language flow issues with this quick guide to editing fiction.
How to Weave Backstory Into a Novel
How can authors fill in the backstory without interrupting the story flow? There's a skill to knowing what story background to include, and what to leave out.
Use Narrative to Connect Readers to a Novel
Deep point of view cuts out filters, telling, and other poor writing techniques to pull the reader into the mind of the protagonist.
Avoiding Viewpoint Slips When Writing a Scene
'Viewpoint slips' result in readers suddenly finding themselves looking at the character, rather than looking out through that person's eyes. How can this be prevented?
How to Show a Character's Thoughts in Fiction
Writers often get into all sorts of trouble trying to show a character's thoughts. An understanding of deep viewpoint makes the narrative look smooth and professional.
Set Goals to Achieve Writing Success
Setting writing goals to achieve success is as important in fiction writing as in any career. Smart goals will help the fiction writer finish projects on time.
Omniscient Versus Third Person Limited POV
Countless writers are confused about how to use viewpoint, which can have disastrous results. Learn what POV is all about, and how to avoid months of wasted effort.
Writing Stories – Point of View
There are four basic point of view methods. The POV chosen by the writer determines how convincing his story is to the reader. It also determines his style.
First person Narration Involves Readers
The use of the word "I" is generally discouraged in Journalism. In fiction "I" is used in first-person narration. That style allows for readers involvement in the story.
Five Tips on Punctuation for Dialogue
To improve their chances of getting a book published, writers need to write free-flowing, convincing dialogue - and to achieve this, the correct punctuation is vital.
Writing Exercises for Emerging Writers
The place of where a story begins or happens is just as important as the dialogue and character development.
How to Write Dialogue from the Ground Up
One of the most challenging tasks when writing stories is to get the characters speaking naturally. These writing tips for dialogue should help the scene flow.
Prompts for Creative Writers
Writing on demand is a skill that can be learned by anyone who wants to write. One way to improve is to write daily to prompts. Below are ideas to help creative writers.
Writing Stories – Dialogue
Teachers of creative writing stress the importance of writing dialogue.
Inspirational Creative Writing Exercises
Need some exercises to get those creative juices flowing? Here are some ideas to make even the least imaginative brain loosen up.
Writing a Synopsis for a Novel
Finding a publishing agent for a manuscript requires a compelling query and novel synopsis. Here is how to write a synopsis.
Omniscient Narrator Controls the Point of View
When authors decide to use an omniscient narrator to tell their story, they gain the ability to examine the events in the novel from a God-like perspective.