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 you’ve done this, do you know how to raise the stakes? While a high stakes beginning captivates […]

What’s the difference between grammar and punctuation? Why does knowing the difference matter? And how can you get better at them, even if all the grammar and punctuation rules are a struggle to remember? What Is Grammar? Grammar refers to the way we put words together in sentences and paragraphs to form meaning. It’s the […]

You have an amazing idea for a protagonist, but for some reason, your story idea doesn’t excite you in the way you hoped. You’re lacking a fearsome villain, and you’re stumped about how to write a villain that feels real. That really raises the stakes. But how do you write a good villain? Villains make […]

Last week, our team attended the Spring Seminar hosted by the Arthur W. Page Society – whose mission is to strengthen the enterprise leadership role of the chief communications officer by embracing the highest professional standards, advancing the way communications is understood, practiced and taught, and providing a collegial and dynamic learning environment. We met […]

Do you struggle to finish writing your book, or really anything you start? If you said  yes, you’re not alone. In a poll we conducted (with real people!), seventy-two percent gave us the same answer. Finishing writing projects can be tough! That doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Here’s an important truth: you don’t have to […]

If you’re here I’m assuming you want to write a book. You might have even been told, “You SHOULD write a book.” And it makes sense! Everyday I hear from aspiring writers all over the world who tell me, “I want to write a book!” But maybe you’re wondering if it’s really worth all the […]

Most books begin at the moment a character’s life is about to change, but that doesn’t mean their lives (even though fictional) begin at the opening of chapter 1. The question is how to write a backstory that includes the key events that shaped the character backstory without slowing down the story plot with info […]

Fiction writers tend to depend on first person or third person point of view—you’ve been there, done that. But what about writing in second person? It may seem strange, unconventional, or confining, but playing with point of view is one way to transform a story. Point of view affects a story in that it offers […]

It’s practically inevitable. You’re rockin’ and rollin’ through your writing process, you let the creative juices flow, and then you reach a sudden halt: You’re blocked. And you have no idea how to overcome writer’s block. The words won’t come. It seems like there’s nothing more, and yet you’ve got things to do. Deadlines to […]

You have finished writing the first draft of your story, a version of your whole story from beginning to end. Now it is time to edit, to revise your words to make your story clear and compelling, so the reader will continue reading after the first sentence. Are you wondering how to edit your story? […]