Few things pull readers out of a story faster than a plot hole. A plot hole occurs when part of a story contradicts established information, ignores an obvious solution, or depends on characters behaving in ways that do not make sense. Some plot holes are small enough that readers may…
Category: Writing
Writing
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How to Write a Slow Burn Romance Readers Cannot Put Down
Slow burn romance is one of the most satisfying romance tropes—when it is done well. Instead of having the characters fall into a relationship immediately, a slow burn romance allows attraction, trust, and emotional intimacy to develop gradually. Readers notice every lingering look, accidental touch, private conversation, and moment of…
Writing
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How to Keep Writing When No One is Reading Yet
This is the hardest thing as a writer. You want to write and love to write, but no one is finding your work. It can seem like a very lonely road in the beginning. When I first started writing, I really didn’t have an audience. For the most part, writing…
Writing
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Why First Drafts Are Supposed to Be Messy
There is something intimidating about a blank page. Before a single word is written, the story feels perfect in your head. The characters are vivid. The scenes are emotional. The dialogue sounds natural. The plot makes sense. Then you sit down to write, and somehow the beautiful idea in your…
Writing
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The Difference Between Plot-Driven and Character-Driven Stories
Every story needs two important things: something that happens and someone it happens to. That sounds simple, but writers often hear stories described as either plot-driven or character-driven, and the difference can feel confusing at first. Does a plot-driven story still need strong characters? Does a character-driven story still need…
How to Gain Confidence as a New Writer
Starting out as a writer can feel exciting, intimidating, and overwhelming all at the same time. You may have story ideas, blog post topics, or book dreams sitting in your mind, but the moment you try to put them on the page, doubt creeps in. “What if this isn’t good…
How to Create Characters Readers Actually Care About
A great plot may get readers to open a book, but great characters are what keep them turning pages. Readers do not need every character to be perfect. In fact, they usually prefer the opposite. They want characters who feel real, make mistakes, want something badly, and have something to…
Writing
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10 Romance Tropes Readers Never Get Tired Of
Romance readers may love fresh characters, unique settings, and unexpected twists, but there are certain tropes they return to again and again. A well-loved romance trope is not a shortcut or a cliché when it is written with heart. It is a promise. Readers know the emotional journey they are…
Writing
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What to Do When You Think Your Writing Isn’t Good Enough
Every writer has had the thought at some point: What if my writing just isn’t good enough? Maybe you reread a chapter and all you can see are awkward sentences. Maybe you compare your draft to a published book and feel like you will never measure up. Maybe you have…
Writing
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10 Ways to Make Your Opening Chapter More Compelling
Your opening chapter has one major job: make the reader want to turn the page. It does not have to explain everything. It does not have to introduce every character, every backstory detail, or every piece of worldbuilding. In fact, trying to do too much too soon can slow the…