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How To Write Shop

Articles on the craft and business of writing

writing tips

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

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

The Secret to Creative Writing

June 14, 2013 by Kathy Steffen 3 Comments

When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. –Rumi For writers and artists, especially ones who have a business side to their artistic endeavors, there is a constant tightrope act of walking between the logic part of the brain and letting go so the creative side can … [Read more…]

Posted in: Featured, Inspiration, Writing Life Tagged: creative writing, inspiration, writing tips

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

Improve Writing with a Spring Cleaning!

April 12, 2013 by Kathy Steffen 3 Comments
improve writing tips

Every writer I know wants some quick ways to improve their writing, and everyone I know is tired of winter and in the mood for spring.  Spring is the time of new birth, new beginnings and…spring cleaning! Opening the house, letting in fresh air and getting rid of the cobwebs. So why not improve writing … [Read more…]

Posted in: Inspiration, Writing Tips Tagged: writing inspiration, writing tips, writing tools
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Save The Cat!
by Blake Snyder

A book on screenwriting that is great for novelists too! Another must have for your How To Write library.

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The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
by Christopher Vogler

The Writer’s Journey explores the relationship between mythology and storytelling in a clear, concise style.

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