Ever wondered how to write a thriller novel? The name pretty much says it all, right? The defining characteristic of a thriller is that it thrills. It grabs a reader by the throat, propels him along, and doesn’t let go until the story ends. And sometimes, not even then. A thriller is not just a […]

One of the best benefits of reading suspense fiction is that you become an active participant—processing mystery clues, solving puzzles, anticipating outcomes. But as a mystery, suspense, and thriller writer, how can you successfully give this interactive type of experience to your readers? How do you know which clues and red herrings to plant? How […]

Beginning writers often start stories with a ringing alarm clock, following the protagonist’s daily routine. But what if there’s a better place to begin the story? One that will hook your reader and keep them turning the page? Ancient storytellers understood the power of beginning in medias res. Let’s find out what it is and […]

Google is constantly updating its algorithm to ensure users get the best search results. From the Panda update in 2011 to ongoing core updates, the search engine constantly introduces changes to ensure the most helpful content appears at the top of the page. Following this approach, Google has introduced yet another update—this time focused on […]

Do you dread planning a novel, or love it? Plotters and pantsers often have different perspectives—but which one are you?  Declaring yourself a plotter or pantser is like being asked to pick a house in Harry Potter’s Hogwarts: are you House Planner or House Pantser? Which one? In your writing journey, I can guarantee you’ll […]

As we close out Black History Month, I want to share five quotes from African American authors that are sure to give you the push you need to write something fantastic. Today I want to share a few favorite writing quotes from African American writers who have inspired me and countless others. If you’ve been […]

Created with VMLY&R and Hudson Christie, the series of ads aim to personify the symptoms of a sore throat to drive brand awareness Cold and flu season is still upon us with sniffles coming at us from all sides. So Difflam, the throat and mouth spray, has aptly launched a new print and digital campaign […]

Want to write with us this week? Join our 7 Day Writing challenge and start building your writing habit. It’s free! Learn more and sign up here. Learning to write a romance or love story plot is a valuable skill for every writer, and not just on Valentine’s Day! Why? Romance  is one of the most common […]

The Loch Lomond Group (LLG) has launched three whiskies from its new brand Noble Rebel. The distiller has collaborated with the appropriately named creative agency Thirst to create a brand that aims to “shake up blended malts” and “attract modern whisky connoisseurs”.  Led by LLG’s head of innovation Calum Leslie, the project involved a complete […]

Have you ever started a story, gotten halfway through, and realized you don’t know key facts about your story’s world? Have you ever wondered how to find out the size of spoons in Medieval England for your fantasy adventure story? Is that even relevant to your plot, or could you skip that fact? Here’s how […]