Tips for Writing Theme

Tips for Writing Theme

The act of writing theme is an important ingredient in storytelling, but it doesn’t have to resound with Meaning-with-a-capital-M. In fact, theme works best when it’s subtle and even open to interpretation. Here are three tips that’ll help you incorporate theme into your story.

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Writing The Opening Line

Writing The Opening Line

The opening line is your first opportunity to make an impression and entice your readers. You should want the opening line to work for the story and be meaningful, but at the same time you don’t want it to do too much. Here’s how to find that balance.

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Moralizing in Books
Writing Female Characters

Writing Female Characters

Writing female characters can be harder than you expect, as a writer, but it’s important to get right. There are some blind spots that many of us—men and women alike—have when it comes to crafting compelling female characters.

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Write What You Know

Write What You Know

“Write what you know” is common advice, but it can feel like an attempt to limit creativity. You write to discover new places and understand different points of view. If you only write what you know, how can you write about what you don’t know?

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Episode 27: Roz Morris, Ghostwriter and Writing Coach
A Million Bad Words

A Million Bad Words

In order to write, you have to WRITE! Spending time learning theory, taking classes, and reading books are beneficial, but ultimately it is practice that will make you a better writer. Learn how a million bad words can turn into a good story.

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Finding Time to Write

Finding Time to Write

Finding time to write can sometimes seem impossible. If you have a packed schedule due to school, your day job, or multiple day jobs, you may think it’s impossible to start your novel, let alone finish it. Here are some ways to carve out time in your day to write.

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Episode 22: Kelly Madrone, Award-Winning Writer and Ghostwriter
Show Don’t Tell

Show Don’t Tell

Show don’t tell is one of the first pieces of advice given to new writers. My first writing professor preached that we all STAY AWAY from exposition. Still, even with SDT etched into our minds, writers slip into exposition and description, missing opportunities to immerse their readers.

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Episode 7: Jessica Brody, Author and Writing Teacher

Episode 7: Jessica Brody, Author and Writing Teacher

An interview with author and writing teacher Jessica Brody, where we discuss what makes a compelling story, how to apply story structure whether you're a plotter or pantser, and tackling large-scale revisions without ripping your hair out.

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Writing Descriptions

Writing Descriptions

Dust motes swirling in the gloom are enchanting, but do you really need to describe them in detail? Let’s look at some guidelines for writing descriptions so you can quench your thirst for gorgeous imagery without sacrificing the pacing of your story.

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Episode 32: J.C. Geiger, YA Author & Mixtape Creator

Episode 32: J.C. Geiger, YA Author & Mixtape Creator

Tune in for a chat with Mary Kole's long-time friend in the children's publishing space, YA Author J.C. Geiger. He tells all about how he made an epic mixtape with music no one's heard before (and met his heroes in the process), and talks about writing young adult characters, the future of post-pandemic fiction, and—of course—the power of music.

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Help! I’m Stuck in the Muddy Middle!

Help! I’m Stuck in the Muddy Middle!

Most times we can see where our story begins and where it ends, but it’s the muddy middle where we get stuck and face writer’s block. Here are some tips to get you out of the sludge and moving again.

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Episode 21: Gabriela Pereira, founder of DIY MFA

Episode 21: Gabriela Pereira, founder of DIY MFA

Gabriela Pereira discusses her journey to founding DIY MFA, the do-it-yourself alternative to a Masters degree in writing, while living with bipolar disorder. She shares tips about unconventional learning styles, finding a writing community in your backyard, and using storytelling to effectively market your work.

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More Than Words: Avoid Clichés

More Than Words: Avoid Clichés

As writers, we know we should try to avoid clichés and stereotypes. But you might not think of unique imagery as you’re writing your first draft, so you drop in a cliché as a placeholder. When revisiting a manuscript to self-edit, though, many writers often overlook the cliché that’s right in front of them: the clichéd image.

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How to Write Diverse Characters (And, Also, Are You Qualified?)

How to Write Diverse Characters (And, Also, Are You Qualified?)

Wondering how to write diverse characters? Many writers aspire to create worlds that look like a true fusion of personalities and cultures, religious beliefs, and ethnicities. How do we create art that imitates the life we are striving for?

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Episode 2: Ryan Van Cleave, Nonfiction Writer and Writing Teacher

Episode 2: Ryan Van Cleave, Nonfiction Writer and Writing Teacher

A podcast all about nonfiction book proposals, nonfiction article pitching, and strategically growing your writing career, including a ton of tips for that ever-intimidating concept of marketing yourself and your writing.

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