Tag: Story Editor
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The Simple Secret to Fixing Ugly Story Problems
It happens to every writer: you’re writing along when suddenly you need to go back and change some fact or detail. Because if you don’t fix it, the story won’t make sense. Should you stop writing at that moment to go fix it? Nope. That could kill your momentum. Here’s a better idea. It’s called…
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How to Outline a Novel (Even If You Hate Outlines)
Getting overwhelmed at the prospect of starting (or finishing) your novel? Feeling the pressure of hundreds of blank pages staring at you, waiting to be filled? No sweat. Planning out a story is like building a wall: You just do it one block at a time. Just like a towering brick wall is made up…
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Kill Your Laptop: Extreme Ways to Finish Your Novel
I get a lot of emails from writers who think they’re suffering from writer’s block. But are they? See if this sounds familiar to you: “I keep going back to fix things.” “Sometimes, I hate the words I just wrote.” “When I watch what I’m typing, I write much cleaner sentences with less typos, but…
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Don’t Make This Legal Mistake in Your Novel
Q: Is it legal to write a novel based on a true story, and use the real names of the people involved? A: Yes, but it’s probably more trouble than it’s worth. Since I’m not a lawyer, none of this is legal advice of any kind, FYI. But here’s what you’re up against: Writing about…
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The #1 Writing Secret Every Writer Should Know
Q: Hi! I’m currently writing a book, and I want to get it published, but I’m in high school and that makes things a lot harder. Could you please explain the basic process of how it would get published? A: I’m so glad you enjoy writing! I started writing short stories when I was 16,…
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How to Write Foreign Languages in Your Novel
Let’s face it, foreign words are cool. They can make your characters sound smarter, make exotic settings feel more authentic and even increase the dramatic tension in a scene. But before you start sprinkling a certain je ne sais quoi into your prose, take these steps to make sure your reader doesn’t get lost in…
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5 Mistakes First-Time Writers Make
This past month I’ve gotten inspiring emails from all sorts of new writers, from high school students to retirees. One thing is clear: you’re never too old (or too young) to write a novel. If you’ve been thinking about writing a book — and who hasn’t? — remind yourself that the best day to start…
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Lorem Ipsum: The Extremes of Good and Evil
Have you ever seen the phrase “Lorem Ipsum” and wondered where it comes from? I have, ever since ye dayes of olde when I did typesetting with rub-transfer Letraset sheets. For obvious reasons, we always ran out of the letter “E” in ye goode olde tymes. But seriously, ever since the 16th century, printers have…
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How to Get Published in Any Economy
Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally The recession might officially be over, but it’s still harder than ever to get published. If you’re struggling to write a novel, you might find yourself wondering if the odds are stacked against you. What are the chances of ever getting published? Are literary agents and editors just itching for…
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Get Readers Talking with the Hey Mabel Effect
Your book can live or die in seconds. Years ago, I used to be among the people who chose its fate on a daily basis, and by doing just one single thing, I could make someone 60% more likely to buy your book. In a moment, I’ll tell you what that one thing is —…
LAURENCE MACNAUGHTON 