Note: This post originally appeared on MetaStellar's Writing Advice of the Week column. One of the biggest age-old debates among writers is, ultimately, how much planning you need to do before you start writing a novel. Some writers greatly enjoy plotting, which typically involves outlining most or all of the major details of a story … Continue reading Plotting vs. Pantsing: Pros and Cons
Note: this post originally appeared in MetaStellar's Writing Advice of the Week. Find the full video at the end of the article! No matter how experienced, every writer will encounter a plot hole in their writing at some point. This is just one of those things that’s inevitable as you develop a story. Sometimes writers, … Continue reading 4 Ways to Fix a Plot Hole in Your Story
It takes a lot of effort to write a prologue. I admit wholeheartedly. I'll start off by saying that I hate writing the beginning of a book. You might try to include every detail you think is important or provide as much context as possible to make everything as straightforward as possible. Chapter one just … Continue reading How to Write a Killer Prologue
When writing a short story, you need to make every word count. That means giving your readers the basic pieces of a story, including a character, their conflict, and the setting where everything takes place, right away. Because if editors aren't interested in your story from the first few lines, they're going to pass on … Continue reading 3 Ways to Get Editors Invested in Your SF/F Story
Reading is just as important to a writer as writing is. Without reading, writers lose valuable opportunities to improve their craft, learn from the best, and enjoy immersive worlds. But sometimes it's difficult to read more, not just as a hobby, but as a writer. What does it mean to read as a writer? It … Continue reading 3 Ways to Read More as A SF/F Writer
Hello everyone! Welcome back to another author interview. This week I had the opportunity to talk with author Ryan Lanz, creator of the A Writer's Path blog. He's also the author of Crossroads of Redemption, The Silver Crystal, and more. Check out the interview below! Hello Emma! I appreciate you having me on and digging … Continue reading Interview with Ryan Lanz
Writers tend to be wordy, even though everyone says to write concisely. The truth is, that's completely normal. Concise writing takes work. The way we write is much different from the way we talk, so what might sound normal out loud doesn't always translate well in a story (see I'm being wordy right now). But … Continue reading 3 Ways to Make Your Writing Concise
I haven't talked much about writing poetry on this blog. I have, however, talked quite a bit about speculative genres, mainly science fiction and fantasy. When you think about these genres, you might think of fiction, including novels and short stories. But speculative poetry also exists, and it acts as a great way to take … Continue reading How to Write Speculative Poetry
