Here are some things to watch out for when you begin your novel. You should always try to use an active voice in your writing. This means limiting your number of passive sentences. You should show the action, don’t tell. For example: Instead of saying, He was angry. This is telling. You need to show […]
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Conflict drives the plot of your story and gives your characters mountains to climb and fears to overcome. Conflict is the drama that will pull everything together in your novel. It can bring characters together and pull them apart. It is the tension in your story, and when well written, it evokes the emotions of
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First Person The first person point of view is when the narrator uses “I” or “we.” This may be a secondary character, observing the scenes, or it can be the main character. This form of writing allows your readers to feel close to your character’s viewpoint, but it also limits your readers, since they are
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Major Characters– The plot and resolution of conflict revolves around these characters. Minor Characters- These characters compliment the major characters and help plot events move forward. Flat Characters- These characters are notable for their one of a kind personality traits or characteristics. They do not undergo substantial change or growth in the course of the story. Static
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Here are certain word lengths that editors prefer to see when you submit your work. Micro-Fiction 6 to 100 words. An abbreviated story that is extremely difficult to write. Flash Fiction 100-1,000 words. The challenge of flash fiction is to tell a complete story in which every word is essential. The core of the story. Beginning,
To write the perfect villain you must make your villain believable. This means the reader must understand what motivates your villain. Why the villain behaves the way they do. The motives behind why your villain feels justified with his actions have to be explained. It is not enough for your villain to just be mean
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With blockbuster best sellers like J.K. Rowling’s, Harry Potter Series and Stephanie Meyer’s, Twilight Series, Young Adult Literature has become a booming business. Even James Patterson stepped into the action when he co-authored the book “Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life.” YA literature is written for adolescents and young adults, usually those ages
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Choosing names for your characters is not always easy. The sound of a name adds tone and dimension to your characters, thus making it important enough for you to do your research. Origin – Check websites and search for the origin of the name. You do not want to place a McDuff sir name (Scottish origin)
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Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk novels describe an alternate history, and usually take place in the 19th century, often times during Britain’s Victorian Period. While steampunk novels describe the life and inventions of the time with historical
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Americana – stories take place in a Midwestern US setting. Subgenres feature small farm towns, about 100 years ago. (Stephanie Mittman. Janet Dailey.) American West – US west setting. Often, a strong heroine sets out west to help tame the frontier. These stories can also center on Native Americans. Think…cowboys and Indians. (Linda Lael Miller. Johanna Lindsey’s
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