Friday Tip: Writing Unreliable Narrators
Unreliable narration is a literary device that can create a deeper sense of suspense or mystery, engaging your reader on a fresh level....
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Kayleigh
- Sep 8
- 2 min
Friday Tip: Feedback is Subjective
If we followed one another on TwiX, you may or may not have seen tweets from me that noted that being able to receive feedback is as much an
Kayleigh
- Aug 18
- 3 min
Friday Tip: Writing Believable Dialogue
Well-crafted dialogue pulls the good from how we write and the good from how we speak to create something that feels natural and believable.
Kayleigh
- Jul 21
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Create Flawed Characters
Don’t be afraid to get rough with your characters, even if—no, especially if—you love them. If you make their path too easy, your novel...
Kayleigh
- Jul 14
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Let Your Story Come to You However it Wants
Think of your story like a puzzle. We don't put pieces together in a specific order. Some people dive in, some look for corners or edges,...
Kayleigh
- Jul 7
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Trust Your Creative Gut
Writing one scene but thinking of another? You risk losing a great idea if you force yourself to work on one thing when your mind is...
Kayleigh
- Jun 23
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Don't Be Afraid to Negotiate
If an editor (or cover designer, illustrator, book formatter, etc.) seems out of your price range, don't give up! Ask if they have...
Kayleigh
- Jun 16
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Know Your World
What YOU know about your world and your characters should be greater than what makes it to the page. If you find yourself explaining...
Kayleigh
- Jun 9
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Make Sure Your Scenes Are DOING Something
In genre fiction, each scene you write should be moving your plot forward. That doesn’t mean it’s all about the ACTION—you also need time...
Kayleigh
- Jun 2
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Writing Multiple Points of View
Writing your story from multiple points of view can allow greater perspective and a slow reveal of the full picture, but this structure...
Kayleigh
- May 26
- 2 min
Friday Tip: Do Your Research
“Write what you know” is often taken literally, but it can also be interpreted to mean that you should have a clear understanding of the...
Kayleigh
- May 5
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Own Your Writing Process
There’s a lot of advice out there telling writers what the process should look like: Get up early. Write X amount of words or hours per...
Kayleigh
- Apr 28
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Publish Short Stories to Grow Readership
If you enjoy writing short stories in addition to full manuscripts, publishing in popular literary magazines is a great way to start...
Kayleigh
- Apr 7
- 2 min
Friday Tip: Consistent Verb Tenses
Note: This tip was requested by a follower over on Twitter (Aug. 3, 2023 Update: RIP little bird). Copy editors, please step in to add...
Kayleigh
- Mar 31
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Using Mentor Texts
Looking to improve your writing and style? Try copying out a short excerpt of writing by an author whose work you enjoy. This is...
Kayleigh
- Mar 24
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Get Messy
The best thing you can do while drafting is to get out of your own way. Worrying that you’re not doing it “right,” or that you’re messing...
Kayleigh
- Mar 3
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Switch Up Your Reading Habits
Strengthen your creative muscles by reading or writing in a genre, tense, or point of view other than the one you usually read or write...
Kayleigh
- Feb 24
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Writing Sprints
Ever feel restless, unfocused, or unable to find a rhythm while you write? Try writing in quick sprints! Set a timer for ~15 minutes and...
Kayleigh
- Feb 17
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Build Your World—In Detail
When world building, writers should have detailed notes about the world created. You need to be able to see it, hear it, smell it, taste...
Kayleigh
- Jan 27
- 1 min
Friday Tip: Sidestep Your Blocks
Stuck on a scene or need to research something in order to flesh out the details in your story? It’s OK to make a note to come back later...
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