If you're having a hard time starting scenes, start with action rather than summary language.
More on my 3-ingredient recipe for strong scene openers: youtu.be/z219Yq19dDM?...
#writing #writingscenes #WritingCommunity #writingtips #writingfiction #howtowriteabook #writersofbluesky
Want to hook your reader at the start of each new scene? Just follow my super simple 3-ingredient recipe.
Full "recipe" breakdown: youtu.be/z219Yq19dDM?...
#WritingCommunity #writingtips #writingfiction #writing #writingscenes #howtowriteabook
Funny characters do FAR more than make your reader smile.
Comedic subplots video: youtu.be/mmI8vwYdev4?...
Story Lab for comedic writing: www.patreon.com/HollySchindler
#writingcommunity #writingcomedy #CharacterDevelopment #writing #writingtips #writingfiction #howtowriteabook
Emphasize the humanity in your writing. Develop your voice with humor: www.patreon.com/HollySchindler
#writingcommunity #comedy #writingtips #writingfiction #howtowriteabook
Need to add tension to your book? Try adding external stakes.
External Stakes Subplots: youtu.be/mmI8vwYdev4?...
#writingtips #subplots #stakes #writingcommunity #howtowriteabook #writersofbluesky
Want to make sure your antagonist isn't wooden and two-dimensional? Try making them more like your protagonist.
More on the Rivalry Subplot: youtu.be/F1CiQ9Snds4?...
#writing #writingcommunity #writingtips #characterdevelopment #subplots #howtowriteabook
The sprint from the midpoint to the climax contains so much to juggle: character & subplots & themes...Knowing some of the most common mistakes can keep things on track:
hollyschindler.substack.com/p/act-4-comm...
#writing #writingtips #writingcommunity #plot #howtowriteabook #writersofbluesky
Readers can root for the most despicable main character...as long as they understand the universal emotion or desire underneath every decision they make.
Full video: youtu.be/khC5_3Ug5zQ?...
#writing #writingcommunity #writinglife #characterdevelopment #howtowriteabook #writersofbluesky
Key elements to include after you main character moves past the midpoint of your novel: hollyschindler.substack.com/p/act-4-key-...
#writingcommunity #writing #writingtips #howtowriteabook #writingadvice #writersofbluesky
Each of your main character's problems should build on the last.
Rescue Your Sagging Middle Writing Resource: payhip.com/b/yHl2s
#writing #writeyourstory #howtowriteabook #writingtips #writingadvice #writersofbluesky
The middles are tough because SO MUCH can go wrong. One possible (and very fixable) mistake: did you lose sight of your main character's lie?
Full video: youtu.be/GZNHUoYgXOM?...
#writing #writingcommunity #writingabook #writingtips #writingadvice #howtowriteabook
Immerse your readers with specific stakes.
Full video: youtu.be/hpdUdkbcu_Q?...
#writing #WritingCommunity #howtowriteabook #writingtips #storytelling
Don't let your subplots feel like filler!
Full video: youtu.be/UIFUg1FX51U?...
#writing #writingcommunity #howtowriteabook #writingtips #writingcraft #writersofbluesky
Don't give your side characters full arcs. Give them jobs.
Full video: youtu.be/p5wVcFzJiYg?...
#writingtips #characterdevelopment #howtowriteabook #writinganovel #writing #writersofbluesky
One of the most powerful roles your side character can play? That of the warning. Don't underestimate the power of this character.
Full video: youtu.be/p5wVcFzJiYg?...
#characterdevelopment #writingtips #howtowriteabook #writingabook #writing #SideCharacter
What backstory REALLY is.
Full video: youtu.be/5qyHDsFSvl4?...
#writer #writingcommunity #writinglife #howtowriteabook #writingtips
Mockup of a book on tree-lined background. Book cover features a road coming out of the pages. Titled Narrative Transportation: The Science of Writing Immersive Fiction
Coming Soon:
No more vague advice like “make it compelling.” I’m talking concrete techniques for writing books readers lose themselves in.
#writersofbluesky #writingtips #writingadvice #howtowriteabook #writingcommunity
$55 for one 75 min class; with Jordan's book, you'll have what you need to tell *your* story. Signups at www.sibyllinepress(dot)com/craft.
#sibylwritingcraft #writingcommunity #howtowriteabook #writersofinstagram
medium.com/@STOPNotWrit...
#writingtips #howtowriteabook #howtobeatwritersblock #writersblock #makingdeadlines
YouTube thumbnail of a writing-tip video, featuring a coffee cup, book, and headshot of Holly Schindler (video instructor). Reads: Stop info-dumping your main character's backstory.
EVERY writer struggles with backstory. Here, I share 3 setting types that naturally trigger memories and reveal your character’s past so you never have to resort to the dreaded info-dump! 🎬 🎥
youtu.be/cjPNJVnZ_WQ?...
#writersofbluesky #writingtips #writinglife #writingadvice #howtowriteabook
Title card for Substack post featuring hands taking notes.
Think your main character WILLING responds to the inciting event? No way. They have to be dragged into this adventure kicking and screaming. More advice for Act 1: hollyschindler.substack.com/p/not-so-fas...
#writingtips #writingadvice #howtowriteabook #writeanovel #plotanovel
Revising? Before you rip that manuscript apart, check your chapter breaks. Pacing can feel off because you're breaking chapters in the wrong place! For more, check out my chapter break course: www.hollyschindler.com/courses
#writingtips #howtowriteabook #writingadvice #writinganovel #writingcourse
Substack post title card with a typewriter.
Diving into the 5-act structure I use to plot my own books, act 1 has 2 big jobs: offer a hook and an inciting event - hollyschindler.substack.com/p/act-1-of-t...
#howtowriteabook #writingtips #plotting #writingadvice #creativewriting
The easiest, quickest way to find the theme in your book. #writingtips #writingadvice #writersofbluesky #writingcommunity #howtowriteabook
Substack header for a post on adding tension to scenes. Features picture of hands typing.
Don't just add one source of tension to your scenes. Layer. It. Up. hollyschindler.substack.com/p/biting-my-...
#howtowriteabook #writingtips #creativewriting #writingadvice #writingcommunity
Self-publishing is hard work with no glory but I at least get creative freedom. What's your favorite graphic novel?
thebopo.com
#graphicnovel #storytime #howtowriteabook #author #selfpublished
Thoughts on using a 5--yes, 5--act structure to plot your novel: open.substack.com/pub/hollysch...
#plotting #howtowriteabook #writingtips #writingadvice #writerscommunity
A main character's positive change arc can naturally give you your book's theme (and keeps the theme from being tacked on at the end). #howtowriteabook #writingtips #writingadvice #writingtipsandtricks #writingadvicefromwriters
Book cover with basic white, gold, and black colors: The Golden Thread writing guide.
You plotted. The story veered off halfway.
You pantsed. The draft turned into chaos.
The problem isn’t your process.
Your story’s missing its emotional core.
My Golden Thread Method helps you find it fast.
→ Grab it now: payhip.com/b/of7Pw
#howtowriteabook #writeyournovel #writingtips #writing
I cannot overstate how important it is to craft a solid self-protective lie for your main character. #howtowriteabook #writingtips #writingadvice #writingtipsfromwriters #writeyournovel
