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How To Write Shop

Articles on the craft and business of writing

Author: Kathy Steffen

Ten Steps to Deconstructing a Novel (or How to Learn from Great Authors)

April 3, 2018 by Kathy Steffen 18 Comments
Deconstructing a novel

Reading other’s work will help you study story structure and analyze what works and what doesn’t so you can apply concepts of writing that resonate with you to your own writing. Here’s how to do it.

Posted in: Writing Craft, Writing Tips Tagged: novel writing, writing strategies, writing tips

Ten Writing Tips for Creating an Antagonist

June 13, 2017 by Kathy Steffen 36 Comments

If you think your protagonist is the most important part of your book, think again. Your story is only as good as your antagonist. Here are ten different ways to make an antagonist worthy of your protagonist and story.

Posted in: Antagonists, Characters, Writing Craft Tagged: antagonist, character development

Story Setting Ideas List of Writing Prompts

February 8, 2017 by Kathy Steffen 16 Comments

Setting can make or break a story. Setting can be so important to story, in fact, that the setting can almost become a character itself.  So when looking for story inspiration why not start with setting? The DaVinci Code begins with a murder in the Louvre. The story of Sarah’s Key had to take place in … [Read more…]

Posted in: Writing Craft, Writing Prompts Tagged: brainstorming ideas, creative writing ideas, muse

Jump-Start Your Imagination with Story Starter First Lines

February 5, 2017 by Kathy Steffen 22 Comments

One way to fire up your imagination? Creative writing exercises focused on the first line of a story. Below is a list of first lines for you to use to hone your storytelling and writing skills.

Posted in: Writing Craft, Writing Prompts Tagged: amwriting, creative writing exercises, ideas, inspiration, muse, writing prompts

Common Grammar Mistakes that Diminish Your Writing

March 14, 2014 by Kathy Steffen 6 Comments
grammar compound words

To follow up last month’s column on cleaning up your writing below is a reference list of some common grammar mistakes. (Can you tell I’m in the middle of book edits?) Take care, especially when you are writing a blog or a post. Yep, I’m feeling a bit like the Grammar Police today, but seriously, … [Read more…]

Posted in: Grammar, Writing Craft Tagged: grammar, grammar tips
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Techniques of the Selling Writer 
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Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight Swain

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This is one of the foundation books that all novelists should have on their bookshelf.

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