Ep. 444: 3 Tips for Improving Show, Don’t Tell
The better you get at refining show, don't tell, the better your writing. Use these tips to gut-check your progress in clearing clutter from your story.
Tips for How to Choose the Right Sentences
Learn from these real-time examples how to choose the right sentences for your story, in a way that will make you a better writer with every book you write.
5 (Not-So-Little) Additions to the Great Novel-Writing Checklist
There are 5 categories for the "little" things that need to be on your novel-writing checklist. Although primarily cosmetic, they are still crucial.
3 Ways to Make Your Writing More Visual
Only a handful of things raise a novel from mediocrity into something truly memorable. Learning how to make your writing more visual is one of them.
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 58: Too Much Description
Avoiding too much description is ultimately about controlling your entire narrative. Use these description tips to advance your plot, character, and theme.
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 33: Telling Important Scenes, Instead of Showing
Show, don't tell is the foundation of dramatic storytelling. Failing to show important scenes in your story is one of the most common writing mistakes.
Most Common Writing Mistakes: Weak Character Voice
How to recognize and fix a weak character voice.
Most Common Mistakes: Under-Explaining
Under-explaining can happen for one of two reasons.
When Your Scene Focuses on What Isn’t Happening
Writers often end up spending a huge chunk of time describing what their characters aren't doing.
A Surefire Sign You’re Over-Explaining
Readers want us to explain; but they never want us to over-explain.
Why “Suddenly” Is a Four-Letter Word
What's one of the most overused, least-needed words in a writer's repertoire? Try "suddenly."
Frequently Asked Questions About Scene Structure
Answers to five questions about scene/sequel structure.
