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Want to be a Published Writer? Read Through our Comprehensive Writing Posts Below. Get Published.
The best part about starting a novel is that you're in complete control. You decide who your hero is, what they're up against, and how they go about overcoming the obstacles you throw at them. Sign up now to receive weekly posts where you'll learn about Characters, Scene, Setting & Place, Dialogue, Conflict, Structure, Tension, and everything else you'll need to know to get you on your way towards completing that novel that's been in your head all these years. Hurry, join the crowd before we fill up. Happy writing!
Cully Perlman
Feb 46 min read
What You Leave Out of your Novel is More Important Than What You Leave In
I’ve written first drafts in three weeks, and others in six months. Some have taken me years. Jack Kerouac wrote On the Road in three weeks.
Nancy Stancill
Dec 24, 20244 min read
Guest Post: My heart and book belong to the mountains of North Carolina
In the mystery, North Carolina is split in two in a legal secession to benefit an evangelical mega-church minister.
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Dec 10, 20245 min read
Is Your Home Library Where Books go to Die?
I have a lot of books. A lot of books. I've wondered that about other writers: Is your home library where books go to die?
Cully Perlman
Dec 3, 20246 min read
The Artist Writing in Times of Trouble
Artists create art, and when the focus is politics there’s a fine balance between overt criticism and thoughtful storytelling
Cully Perlman
Nov 14, 20245 min read
GET TO WORK. THE TIME IS NOW FOR PROTEST LITERATURE
While fiction cannot (and does not) always enlighten or change opinion . . . the sometimes that it does is often good enough.
Cully Perlman
Nov 5, 20245 min read
Dialogue Tags Should Only be “He Said" or "She Said.” Or Should They?
While there is no concrete “rule” in adult literature, using adverbs and dialogue tags other than “he said” or she said” may not work.
Cully Perlman
Jul 2, 202412 min read
THE MASTER: Creative Writing Tips and an Interview With Guggenheim Fellow, John Dufresne
John Dufresne gives us a detailed view into the writing life, how he writes and teaches, and what trends he sees in his writing classes.
Cully Perlman
Apr 30, 20246 min read
Ethical Considerations: Using Others' Experiences as Inspiration for Your Fiction
Good writers borrow, great writers steal, right? I had to steal the heartbreaking story of my friend’s life; its siren call was strong.
Cully Perlman
Apr 23, 20246 min read
Crafting Compelling Villains: A Guide for Fiction Writers
The role of villains and antagonists are similar: they oppose our protagonist’s progress.
Cully Perlman
Mar 9, 20246 min read
Politics in Fiction: The Best Political Novels to Read & More
Politics in fiction can make for not only an interesting story, but a shocking one as well. Hard truths come out in fiction we may not like.
Jon Tobey
Feb 5, 20246 min read
GUEST POST: Using a Story Engine
Story engines use a theme, character trait, or plot device that comes up repeatedly, usually in a series, that drives the plot.
Cully Perlman
Jan 15, 20247 min read
9 WAYS TO USE REAL LIFE EVENTS IN YOUR FICTION
If you're struggling on how to write about true events, here are 9 WAYS TO USE REAL LIFE EVENTS IN YOUR FICTION without pissing people off.
Cully Perlman
Dec 11, 20233 min read
2024 Writing Contests - Submit Now
The 2024 Writing Contest Season has opened (or is about to open). Make sure you get your novel or short story polished and ready to submit.
Cully Perlman
Nov 13, 20236 min read
Winning The Pulitzer Prize. Who Decides, and Are They Right?
Winning The Pulitzer Prize. Who Decides, and Are They Right? A quick dive into the past 20 years of winners and the books that won.
Cully Perlman
Oct 30, 20237 min read
The Elements of Horror (and Some Scary Books you Should Read Today)
Halloween's tomorrow. It's a good time to pick up a horror novel and dive into the gory, frightening world pulled from an author's mind.
Wednesday Lee Friday
Oct 25, 20236 min read
TRIGGER WARNING: Guest Post by Wednesday Lee Friday
Any horror writer can tell you there’s a ton of heated debate about Trigger Warnings in our community. Wednesday Lee Friday is here for you.
Cully Perlman
Oct 9, 20239 min read
Using Fiction to Tell the Truth
Writers use fiction to get to the truth. Read how to use the specific or particular in your writing to get to universal truths readers love.
Cully Perlman
Aug 20, 20236 min read
Flat vs Round Characters: How To Write Fully Fleshed-Out Fictional Characters
Flat vs Round Characters: How To Write Fully Fleshed-Out Fictional Characters. Learn the difference and how to write both for your fiction.
Steven Paul Lansky
Aug 14, 20235 min read
GUEST POST: THE MIND OF STEVEN PAUL LANSKY: AN EXERCISE IN WRITING MEMOIR
Guest Writer Steven Paul Lansky, author of THE BREAK, a memoir, takes us on a journey into the actual process of writing a memoir.
Cully Perlman
Aug 12, 20237 min read
BOOK REVIEW: WONDER DRUG: The Secret History of Thalidomide in America and its Hidden Victims
Jennifer Vanderbes has written an important, revelatory book on Thalidomide, once hailed as a Wonder Drug but that was far from it.
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