We’ve been looking at the ten types of stories, and next up is horror—survival stories where a character is facing a fate worse than death. What’s worse than death? Fear. We hope today’s horror story prompts will inspire some truly terrifying tales. Ten Types of Stories and The Horror Story We’ve been studying the ten […]

No matter what kind of fiction (or even memoir!) you write, you’re going to need to do some world building, even if it is just to capture the daily life of something that happened in actual history. But what is world building and what elements do you need to include to do it effectively? Today, […]

Screech! Hold up. Did you hear that? Boom! No, not that. Ring-ring. Not that either. Moo. There it is. That is the sound of onomatopoeia, one of the most fun words to spell in the English language, and if you want to know how to write sounds, an absolutely essential literary device. How does onomatopoeia […]

Have you ever started writing a book with a burst of energy and enthusiasm? For a time, your fingers were flying off the keyboards, and then somewhere in the manuscript…they stopped. Have you ever become a victim to writer’s burnout? At some point in the writing process, every writer feels exhausted. It’s hard work writing […]

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 […]