When it comes to novel writing, plot is king. When you write a gripping plot that keeps flowing from one page to the next, you create a real page turner that readers will love. It starts with having a great idea. Once you have the idea and a solid premise, Read more…
Writing characters that work together as an ensemble cast, and that develop together throughout the story, is a real art. It’s about contrast, balance and psychology. Use the following 8 tips to create an ensemble cast of characters who grow together throughout the story. 8 Tips For A Strong Read more…
Writing emotional stories readers care about is a challenge. It’s also the most rewarding thing any writer can achieve. When you make readers feel what your protagonist feels. When you change your readers by taking them on a spiritually enriching story. When you make your readers cry, laugh, scream, or Read more…
There are many powerful life lessons stories teach. Not just moral lessons, but psychological lessons, spiritual lessons, and life lessons.When you grasp the core concepts of storytelling, you’ll understand why stories are so powerful. You know where you want to go in your life. You feel the burning Read more…
In this “The Force Awakens Explained” article we’ll look at how Rey’s story actually comes from the famous mythological tale The Hero’s Journey. Why do Star Wars, Avatar, and Lord Of The Rings all follow the same story-pattern? In The Force Awakens, Rey has one of the best stories Read more…
As much as we authors hate to admit it, the marketing of a book is as important, if not more important, than the book itself – at least as far as sales are concerned. Want proof? Fifty Shades. There’s your proof. But seriously. Take a look at the top 100 Read more…
Today I’m going to be discussing how to expand on a novel idea. If you read my post yesterday about How to come up with novel ideas then you will have seen that I created a few ideas off the top of my head. The idea I’ll be working with Read more…
In this section of our complete guide to writing a novel, I’ll be discussing how to create a premise. But, it seems that the word “Premise” has multiple understandings (three major ones), all of which we need to get to grips with. Here are the three understandings of a premise. Read more…
Today I’m going to be discussing how to come up with ideas for a novel, but not just any novel, a novel that will captivate readers and sell in the millions… or if not in the millions, at least enough to see a bit of a peak in your finances. Read more…
Could The Garden Of Earthly Delights Hold The Key To Storytelling In Video Games? Watching the prologue to Ori And The Blind Forest earlier today I found myself thinking back over my gaming life. Thirty years ago, the vast majority of games didn’t have anything even closely resembling a Read more…