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Martha L. Thurston
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Martha L. Thurston

Tag: how to write

Writing

How to Celebrate Small Writing Wins

Posted on August 11, 2026August 7, 2026 By marthathurston

Writing a book, building a blog, or simply trying to become a stronger writer can feel like an enormous undertaking. We often focus so much on the finished product—a completed manuscript, a publishing contract, a certain number of readers, or a successful book launch—that we overlook everything we accomplish along…

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Writing

How to Write a Strong Ending That Feels Earned

Posted on August 10, 2026August 7, 2026 By marthathurston

A great ending can stay with a reader long after they close the book. It does not have to be happy. It does not have to tie every loose end into a perfect bow. It does not even have to give readers everything they hoped for. But it does need…

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Writing man kissing woman's forehead

How to Write Emotional Scenes in Romance

Posted on August 7, 2026August 1, 2026 By marthathurston

The most memorable romance novels are not always the ones with the most dramatic declarations or passionate kisses. They are the stories that make readers feel something deeply. Readers want to experience the characters’ hope, longing, fear, heartbreak, and joy. They want to feel the tension before a first kiss,…

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Writing woman biting pencil while sitting on chair in front of computer during daytime

Why Every Writer Needs Patience

Posted on August 4, 2026August 1, 2026 By marthathurston

Writing often looks effortless from the outside. A reader opens a book, turns the pages, and experiences a finished story. They do not see the abandoned scenes, confusing drafts, rejected submissions, late-night revisions, or months spent searching for the right words. Behind almost every finished piece of writing is a…

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Writing

How to Create a Satisfying Character Arc

Posted on August 3, 2026August 1, 2026 By marthathurston

A memorable story is about more than what happens to a character. It is about how those experiences change them. Readers may be drawn into a novel by an intriguing premise, an exciting conflict, or a mysterious world, but they often stay because they care about the characters. They want…

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Writing

How to Create a Fictional World Readers Believe In

Posted on July 31, 2026July 28, 2026 By marthathurston

A fictional world does not have to contain dragons, magical kingdoms, or distant planets. Every story takes place within a world created by the author—even contemporary novels set in familiar towns and cities. Your fictional world includes the places your characters live, the rules they follow, the history that shaped…

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Writing a couple of people standing in front of a wall

The Difference Between Plot-Driven and Character-Driven Stories

Posted on June 29, 2026June 29, 2026 By marthathurston

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…

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Recent Posts

  • 25 Questions to Ask When Creating a Main Character
  • How to Turn a Bare-Bones Idea Into a Full Novel Outline
  • How to Use Foreshadowing Without Being Obvious
  • How to Plan a Romance Novel From Beginning to End
  • How to Write a Book Description That Sells

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