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How To Write Shop

Articles on the craft and business of writing

Writing Tips

Improve Your Writing Skills. Put Your Writing on a Diet.

February 14, 2014 by Kathy Steffen 1 Comment
A Diet Program for your Writing

You want the essence of your writing to come through, but needless words and phrases can get in the way and weigh down your prose. Solution: put your writing on a five-step diet.

Posted in: Revision, Writing Craft, Writing Tips Tagged: editing, revision, writing tips

Never Say Never: Rules for Writing Fiction

October 2, 2013 by Amy Knupp 5 Comments
rules for writing fiction

Rules for Writing Fiction? There are thousands. Don’t kill a puppy. Never use an –ly adverb. Exclamation points are the mark of an amateur.   I’ve heard these rules for writing fiction and dozens of others from the time I started pursuing publication. And I’m ashamed to say, when I was new, I even believed … [Read more…]

Posted in: Writing Craft, Writing Tips

How to Write a Scene: A Step by Step Guide

August 7, 2013 by Amy Knupp 4 Comments
how to write a scene writer's block plan a scene

When I stumbled through my first manuscript eleven years ago, I didn’t know much about scenes. I didn’t know how to write a scene. I didn’t know much about writing a book, come to think of it, but the best way to learn is to just do it. (And, of course, read up on the … [Read more…]

Posted in: Plotting, Scenes, Writing Tips Tagged: planning your novel, scenes

Powering Up Your Prose with Line Editing

June 5, 2013 by Amy Knupp 3 Comments

So you’ve finished a draft of your manuscript. Congratulations! That’s an accomplishment scores of people dream of and only a small percentage of determined writers achieve. The next step is, of course, revising your manuscript, maybe after getting a critique partner’s input or receiving feedback from a contest judge or an editor. You’re done with … [Read more…]

Posted in: Revision, Writing Craft, Writing Tips Tagged: copyeditor, grammar tips, line editing, revision

5 Tips for Writing Characters who will Intrigue Readers

April 26, 2013 by Kathy Steffen 5 Comments

When developing and writing characters, a writer’s number one goal is creating characters who will connect with and intrigue readers. Five Tips for Writing Characters Who Will Intrigue Your Reader Writing Characters Tips 1 & 2: Secrets and Lies One of the best ways to build conflict and suspense in your character and intrigue your … [Read more…]

Posted in: Characters, Writing Craft, Writing Tips Tagged: characters, creative writing, writing tips
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Featured Book

The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
by Christopher Vogler

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