My neighbor John loves to work on his hot rod. He’s an automotive whiz and tells me he can hear when something is not quite right with the engine. He doesn’t hesitate to pop the hood, grab his bag of tools and start to tinker. He’ll keep at it until the engine sounds just...
BY JAMES SCOTT BELL Boost your story’s immunity to reader scrutiny with these fortifying nutrients.
Just like anyone else who builds things from scratch, writers need tools. And the more you use them, the better you become at using them. The more tools you’re exposed to, the greater your skill. So herein are some tools for you in this matter of creating conflict. Use them to build a great-looking...
A friend alerted me to an interesting infographic posted on Goodreads. The subject: Why readers abandon a book they've started. Among the reasons ...
Start your revision by addressing these, and you'll immediately change your story for the better.
You can doom your debut from the start with these 7 (tongue-in-cheek) strategies for flailing, and failing—or, you can do just the opposite.
Let author (and guest poster) James Scott Bell explain why learning the how-tos of writing fiction is not only important, but essential to getting published.
Revising is a natural balance of creative eruptions and quiet analysis. Use this 5-step method to harness your story’s power and channel its flow to create a finished piece that will make a splash.
Here are some simple techniques for revising scenes so your edifice will stand the test of time.
by James Scott Bell
Read chapter 1, "What is Plot, Anyway?" of Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure.
Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot that Grips Readers from Start to Finish
To get your novels to that next level of stakes, train yourself to think of even deeper tribulations for your lead.
Increase the staying power of your fiction by focusing on these four elements.
Emotional power is one of the most important components of a great storyand one of the most difficult to conjure. These five steps will help you to summon it, and make it work, every time.
These three characteristics are essential to bringing your protagonist to life.
Work one or all three of these important traits into your lead character and create a hero worthy of remembrance.
Capture your readers' interest at the very first paragraph.
Good writing takes practice, and practice makes perfect! Use this disciplined approach to write your very best.