Writing the Book
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How Do You Write a Blurb Without Retelling the Bloody Book?
A blurb should make the right reader want the story. Find the central human problem,…
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How Do You Know a Novel Is Finished?
How do you know when a novel is finished rather than merely abandoned for the…
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When Should You Trust a Focus Group—and When Should You Ignore It?
Use focus-group feedback without letting a committee rewrite your novel: identify patterns, interpret outliers and…
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How Do You Get Through a First Draft?
How do you finish a first draft without getting trapped in revision, self-doubt or writer’s…
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How to Build a Story World That Feels Real
Build a believable story world without drowning the reader in lore. Practical guidance on setting,…
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How to Research a Novel Without Letting Research Stop You Writing
Research can enrich a novel—or become a very convincing way to avoid writing it. Here’s…
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Whose Story Is This Anyway?
Who should tell your novel’s story? A practical guide to first person, third person, multiple…
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What Genre Is Your Novel—and Who Is It For?
How do you identify your novel’s genre and target audience without strangling the creative process?…
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When Characters Stop Sounding Like People
Why do fictional characters suddenly sound like the same author moving from chair to chair?…
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When Should You Show Your Novel to Other People?
When should you show your novel to other people? A veteran author-publisher explains when feedback…
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