Writers are often told to keep every scrap of writing, every half-finished idea, every abandoned paragraph, no matter how insignificant or directionless it seems at the time. For years, I did this almost compulsively, stuffing note apps with fragments, saving hundreds of stray files on my laptop, keeping dialogue snippets on my phone, and hoarding … Continue reading Writing as Archaeology: Unearthing the Story Buried in Notes
Every writer has scraps of stories lying around. Half-started drafts, notebooks full of beginnings, that one chapter you wrote years ago that you still kind of like. I’ve got folders of the stuff. Ideas that caught fire for a few days and then fizzled. Stories that seemed like the best thing I’d ever come up … Continue reading The First Story You Finish Will Change You – Celebrating the Importance of Finishing, Not Perfection
When I embarked on writing my novel *The Next Stage*, I was determined to create villains that were more than just obstacles for my protagonists to overcome. I wanted them to be realistic, nuanced, and truly threatening. Crafting such antagonists requires a careful balance of traits and motivations that make them compelling and memorable. If … Continue reading How to Write Realistic Villains: Techniques for Crafting Complex Antagonists
Flash fiction is a unique literary form that offers a captivating blend of challenge and creativity. With word limits typically ranging from 100 to 1,000 words, flash fiction requires writers to distill a story down to its most essential elements, crafting a complete narrative in a space where every word matters. This brevity, while challenging, … Continue reading Writing Flash Fiction: Tips and Techniques for Crafting Powerful, Concise Stories
Writing is a multifaceted endeavor that extends beyond mere communication or creative expression. For many, it serves as a profound tool for self-exploration, emotional catharsis, and mental clarity. However, the journey of writing also presents unique mental health challenges, including stress, self-doubt, and isolation. This article delves into how writing can influence mental health, both … Continue reading The Intersection of Writing and Mental Health: Benefits, Challenges, and Self-Care Tips
Every writer, at some point, encounters the dreaded creative slump. You sit down to write, but the words just don’t come. That’s where writing prompts come in handy. Last week I discussed different ways to overcome your writer's block, today I will discuss one of those methods in greater detail. Writing prompts are simple ideas … Continue reading Using Writing Prompts to Spark Creativity
Writer's block. The mere mention of it can send shivers down a writer’s spine. It’s the dreaded obstacle that every writer encounters at some point, whether you’re a seasoned author or a budding novelist. But fear not! Writer’s block is not an insurmountable barrier; it’s a challenge that can be overcome with the right strategies. … Continue reading Overcoming Writer’s Block: Strategies to Reignite Your Creative Spark
You would think that the hardest thing about being an author is the writing of books, but it's far from it. Writing books is easy because it only involves you, your brain, and your characters. The hardest thing about being an author is marketing the damn book once it's written and released.Marketing as a self-published … Continue reading The Never-Ending Journey of Marketing Self-Published Books
Chapters, some books have them, some don’t, and everyone has an opinion on them, so I asked my fellow writers over on Twitter for their thoughts. Below are some of the responses. As you can see, the responses varied. Some people like short ones, others long, others don't care as long as they work with … Continue reading Chapters: To Name or Not to Name
Gareth Ellis - Author 