Tag: writing advice

Memorize Your Story Before You Revise | Advice on Editing a Novel

This post is a revised version of my previous post. I thought it fitting to explore the topic of revising a novel by actually revising something I’ve published on this blog. This post also explores the practice of memorizing your story for the purpose of revision. Like all writing advice, it’s ultimately subjective and by … Continue reading Memorize Your Story Before You Revise | Advice on Editing a Novel →

How You Can Kill Your Novel With Revision | Writing Advice Nobody Asked For Vol. 327

When we complete a first draft of a novel, we often jump right into revisions, perhaps initially driven by the desire to add or change things we know for certain need to be added or changed. But then we start tinkering. Maybe just here and there at first. Then maybe starting at the beginning. We're … Continue reading How You Can Kill Your Novel With Revision | Writing Advice Nobody Asked For Vol. 327 →

Great Stories Start with Great Characters | Guest Post by Ichabod Ebenezer

I invited Ichabod to write this guest post in celebration of the release of his new horror short story collection, Beyond the Rail and Other Nightmares. Beyond the Rail and Other Nightmares by Ichabod Ebenezer, available now Great Stories Start With Great Characters We’ve all run across that particular bit of wisdom at some point … Continue reading Great Stories Start with Great Characters | Guest Post by Ichabod Ebenezer →

How to Have an Imagination | Writing Tips ‘n’ Tricks Volume 3139

Have you walked face-first into a wall lately? Not heard a single word your partner said? Suddenly realized an hour has gone by and you’ve done nothing but sat there smirking or crying or staring at the carpet? This isn’t a writing tips ‘n’ tricks post. Well, maybe it’s a trick since the title is … Continue reading How to Have an Imagination | Writing Tips ‘n’ Tricks Volume 3139 →

Looking for Story Inspiration and Overcoming Writer’s Block

The ever-elusive story idea. What’s gonna hit? What’s worth exploring? For some, story ideas flow like a never-ending stream, while for others, new ideas are as hard to come by as toilet paper in a pandemic. I’ve occasionally found myself on both sides of this coin and am here to share some tips on how … Continue reading Looking for Story Inspiration and Overcoming Writer’s Block →

Inciting Incident vs. Call to Adventure | A Clarification

I WANT to talk about the difference between the inciting incident and the call to adventure in a novel. Recently there’s been a lot of discussion on ye olde Twitter about whether or not you should start your story in the midst of action and how long you should hold off before introducing the inciting … Continue reading Inciting Incident vs. Call to Adventure | A Clarification →