Story Pacing: 4 Techniques That Help Manage Your Plot’s Timeline

The article Story Pacing: 4 Techniques That Help Manage Your Plot’s Timeline appeared first on The Write Practice. As a writer of fiction, you want readers to open your book and become so absorbed they can’t put it down. It helps to be aware that so much of what happens when a reader picks up a book takes place in the subconscious mind. Readers don’t...

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The Hero’s Journey: 12 Steps That Make Up the Universal Structure of Great Stories

The article The Hero’s Journey: 12 Steps That Make Up the Universal Structure of Great Stories appeared first on The Write Practice. At one point in your writer’s life, you’ve probably come across the term Hero’s Journey. Maybe you’ve even studied this guide for storytelling and applied it to your own books—and yet, something about your own application...

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Cliffhanger Meaning 101: What They Are and How Writers Use Them

The article Cliffhanger Meaning 101: What They Are and How Writers Use Them appeared first on The Write Practice. Do you love a good cliffhanger? Most readers do. Whether they entail a twist that hits like a tidal wave or employ a more subtle revelation, cliffhangers keep readers eagerly turning the pages—even when they’re unaware of a cliffhanger’s...

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Thank You for 10 Years of The Write Practice

The article Thank You for 10 Years of The Write Practice appeared first on The Write Practice. In July 2011, I accomplished what was at the time the third best thing I’d ever done in my life (after marrying my wife and writing my first book): I started a blog to share what I was learning about the writing craft. It was called The Write Practice. My...

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How to Write Good Fiction: 4 Foundational Skills and How to Build Them

The article How to Write Good Fiction: 4 Foundational Skills and How to Build Them appeared first on The Write Practice. Do you want to write a novel but are unsure how to write good fiction? Writing good fiction takes time and practice. There’s no way around it. However, if you’re looking for some specific and valuable writing skills that you...

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How to Write a Query Letter: 3 Paragraphs That Hook a Literary Agent

The article How to Write a Query Letter: 3 Paragraphs That Hook a Literary Agent appeared first on The Write Practice. If you’re interested in getting your book traditionally published, it’s crucial that you sign with a literary agent who loves your story and has a vision for your career. To do this means you need to write the single most important...

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Sequence of Events in a Story: How to Order Scenes That Build Suspense

The article Sequence of Events in a Story: How to Order Scenes That Build Suspense appeared first on The Write Practice. Have you ever felt cheated when reading a book? Like the author held back information that would have enhanced your reading experience? Or neglected to include all the relevant details that would have allowed you to solve the mystery?...

Jun 2021

How to Become a Successful Writer: 5 Productivity Tools

The article How to Become a Successful Writer: 5 Productivity Tools appeared first on The Write Practice. Have you ever wondered how some writers publish a book or more a year? Do they have a secret that could teach you how to become a successful writer? Are there tools you could use to make you equally productive?  If you want to become a successful...

Jun 2021

Raise the Stakes: The Ultimate Guide to Building Suspense in a Plot

The article Raise the Stakes: The Ultimate Guide to Building Suspense in a Plot appeared first on The Write Practice. As a writer, you know building a foundation for your story—with a compelling opening and a sympathetic character—will allow you to grab readers right out of the starting gate with intriguing story questions and high stakes. But once...

Jun 2021

4 Key Reasons Planning a Novel Speeds Up Your Writing Process

The article 4 Key Reasons Planning a Novel Speeds Up Your Writing Process appeared first on The Write Practice. Do you dread planning a novel, or love it? Plotters and pantsers often have different perspectives—but which one are you?  Declaring yourself as a plotter or pantser is like being asked to pick a house in Hogwarts: are you House Planner...

Jun 2021