Writing Craft

How to Turn a Good Premise Into a Full-Length N...

A great premise is a starting point, not a novel. Here is how to develop a novel idea into a full-length book, whether you outline or write by discovery.

Why Every Scene Needs to Change Something

A scene earns its place by changing something. Here is how to write a scene in a novel with a goal, conflict and consequence, plus a scene audit.

How to Write Multiple POVs Without Repeating th...

Multiple points of view can deepen a story or slow it down. Here is how to write multiple POV characters so each voice earns its place, with a POV audit.

The Art of Subtext: What Your Characters Aren't...

Subtext is what your characters mean but do not say. Here is how to write subtext in dialogue, with an annotated example and fixes for on-the-nose lines.

How to Write Intimacy That Develops Character

Intimate scenes work best when they change the characters, not just the plot. Here is how to write intimate scenes in fiction with purpose, consent and the right level of...

First Person vs. Third Person: Which Point of V...

First person or third? Here is how each point of view works, what it does well, and how to choose the right one for your novel.