Make your book fly off the shelves! Every author knows what a back cover blurb is, but crafting an effectively good one is no easy task. Many writers outright dislike writing them or…
AVOID A SAGGING MIDDLE By DEE LLOYD No middle should sag. The dragging, sagging pace of the middle of a romance is every bit as unattractive as the lax muscles of a person’s…
Beyond Villains –Addressing Antagonists in Detail By Will Greenway ‘Villain’ is a dated term. It brings to mind a particular kind of bad guy that has become kind of a toothless foil in both the…
Crafting Blurbs Overview by Karen Wiesner Back Cover Blurbs A back cover blurb can be anywhere from one to four paragraphs. If the whole package is short and punchy, as we’ve said, it’s practically…
All the worksheets, checklists, and exercises from Cohesive Story Building are included here in a usable format, namely Rich Text Format (RTF), which allows for cross-platform document exchange and which most word processors are able…
From a Reader’s Perspective In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become an almost inevitable part of daily life. From demanding work schedules to personal challenges, the need for effective stress relief is more important…
Holidays and special seasons have a timeless allure, sparking joy, nostalgia, and anticipation in readers. If you’ve already explored the emotional depth of holiday and seasonal stories, it’s time to delve into fresh aspects…
Deep, Multi-Faceted Development and Progression of Romantic Relationships By Karen S. Wiesner Based on CPR for Dead or Lifeless Fiction {A Writer’s Guide to Deep and Multifaceted Development and Progression of Characters, Plot, and…
Choosing a Setting: Real or Fiction By Deborah Nolan It’s been said that location is another character in a story. I think that’s true if the setting is described well enough and with…
Starting a book from scratch can be an exciting but daunting process. The thought of creating an entire world and bringing characters to life can be overwhelming, but with the right approach and mindset,…
Dynamic Beginnings (1 of 2) By Will Greenway The opening of your novel or short story is crucial. It must be well written, catchy, and evocative. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, your opening…
Reviews: 5 Stars! “Highly recommended new book to bring your novel writing ‘ALIVE‘! Karen S. Wiesner has yet again written a stellar book for writers at all stages looking for new energy in their storytelling…
Scene business, style, and dialogue By Will Greenway Viewpoint is one the most important aspects of writing. It is the eye through which readers see your work. Creating a strong viewpoint “presence” within your story…
Stories have long been one of the most effective ways to teach values, shape character, and instill morals in children. Through the experiences of fictional characters and the worlds they inhabit, young readers learn about…
From a Reader’s Perspective: Science fiction (sci-fi) has long captivated readers by blending imaginative storytelling with scientific principles. As a genre, it transports us to worlds where the boundaries of known science are pushed…
Romance novels have captivated readers for centuries, evolving through the years while maintaining the core elements that define the genre–love, emotional connection, and the journey of two individuals toward a happy ending. At the…
The Stuff Series Are Made Of By Karen S. Wiesner “The disease of writing is dangerous and contagious,” Abelard famously said to Heloise. So, too, can a book series become a relentless obsession: It’s…
In the enchanted realms of paranormal fiction, where ghosts whisper secrets and werewolves prowl beneath the moon’s glow, dialogue serves as the invisible tether that binds readers to the otherworldly narrative. Beyond mere conversation,…
Writing: World Building, not just for genre writers By Will Greenway Overview When we see the term “world building”, many writers tend to associate this concept with genre fiction, specifically science fiction, fantasy, and often…
