Writing Blog
Mastering Scene Structure: A Guide to Writing Engaging and Impactful Scenes
When it comes to writing a novel, understanding how to structure a scene effectively is just as important as crafting an engaging plot. Scenes are the building blocks of your story, and a well-structured scene keeps readers hooked, deepens character development, and drives the plot forward. But what makes a scene truly work? Let’s break down the essentials of scene structure, drawing insights from some of the best writing craft books available.
Show, Don’t Tell: A Deep Dive into One of Writing’s Most Misunderstood Rules
“Show, don’t tell.” It’s one of the most common pieces of advice given to new writers, but what does it really mean? And more importantly, when is it okay to tell instead of showing? In this post, we’ll break down this foundational writing principle, explore examples, and discuss when breaking the rule can actually improve your storytelling.
Embracing Imperfection: The Art of the Messy First Draft
In a world where perfection is often celebrated and polished pieces are seen as the standard, the concept of a messy first draft might seem counterintuitive. Yet, this initial, unrefined burst of creativity is precisely where true innovation begins. Embracing imperfection isn't about settling for mediocrity—it's about freeing yourself from the paralyzing grip of perfectionism and allowing ideas to flow without constraint.
Celebrating Small Wins: Every Step Forward Counts
Every small win you celebrate is a step closer to your larger goals. By focusing on these incremental achievements, you create a life filled with gratitude, positivity, and relentless progress. The journey becomes as fulfilling as the destination itself.
Developing a Daily Writing Habit: Strategies for Setting Aside Dedicated Writing Time
In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to write can feel like a daunting task. Yet, whether you’re working on a novel, keeping a journal, or crafting blog posts, establishing a daily writing routine is a powerful way to boost creativity, hone your skills, and even reduce stress. Here, I’ve compiled a list of practical tips and strategies found online to help you create a writing habit that works—even on your busiest days.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a First-Time Author
If you’re struggling with imposter syndrome, know that you’re not alone. The doubt may never fully disappear, but it doesn’t have to control you. Keep writing, keep learning, and keep reminding yourself that your voice matters. Every writer starts somewhere, and every story you write—no matter how imperfect—brings you one step closer to the writer you’re meant to be.
Creating Complex Characters: My Scrivener Character Template
In this post, I’m sharing the template I use in Scrivener to develop my characters. I’ve found it invaluable in ensuring my characters are multidimensional and consistent throughout my stories.
My Outlining Process: How I Structured My Novel
Outlining a story can feel like an overwhelming task, but over time, I’ve developed a process that helps me stay organized while leaving room for creativity. In this post, I’ll walk you through the approach I took to structuring my current work in progress, from the initial idea to a detailed outline that guides my writing.
The Inspiration Behind My Novel
Every story begins with a spark—an idea, a moment, or a feeling that refuses to let go. For me, the journey of writing my debut novel started with a single, persistent thought that grew into something much bigger. In this post, I want to take you behind the scenes of what inspired my novel, how the idea evolved, and why I felt compelled to write this story.
Categories
Writing Journey – My goals, milestones, reflections on my progress, and lessons learned along the way.
Writing Process – Blog posts about drafting, revising, and my creative habits.
Writing Resources – Tools, research methods, and recommendations.
My Novel – Updates on my current work in progress.
Book Reviews – Reviews of various writing craft books and comparable novels to my work in progress.