There are so many book awards and prizes out in the world, it’s hard to know which ones are reputable, and which ones have been created just to increase sales. There are ten or so major ones which most people would recognise, but in the English speaking world there is one literary prize that tops … Read more
So many of the best and most beloved stories feature a great antagonist which keeps us glued to the edge of our seats. But how do you write a great antagonist? Great antagonists oppose everything that the protagonist or hero fights for. They embody the opposite of everything the protagonist stands for, and they personify … Read more
We know that our favourite stories share a lot of features in common with each other. It is useful as writers to understand the underlying building blocks that make up most narratives. Yes, almost all narratives have a problem. Most narratives are structured around a central character who encounters a problem that they must overcome. … Read more
Genre fiction, sometimes referred to as ‘category fiction’ or ‘popular fiction’, is a term used to describe books which are written to fit the expectations of certain ‘genres. The best genre fiction writers know what their audiences are expecting, and serve it up to them in a way that keeps the reader returning for more. … Read more
Why Can’t I Write? It’s a very common question! Writing is a technical challenge, as well as a creative one. To write well in any style requires the development of practical writing skills, and then of course practice! Sometimes years of hands-on experience is necessary, but there are things you can do to speed this … Read more
Lin-Manuel Miranda took seven years to write Hamilton and an entire year just to compose the song My Shot. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera took four years from its inception to Broadway, as well as his famous Broadway spectacle called Cats. If musical theater is your passion you might wonder how long it … Read more
You have an idea for a story, and although you think it is great, you are unsure whether it has been done before. Luckily, almost every writer has faced such a dilemma through the years, and many of them became literary greats. In the sense of unique stories, each story is a reworking of another … Read more
Most authors write because they enjoy writing, not because they expect to become famous. With that said, some authors do become well-known for their work, but what is the likelihood of achieving success, fame, and fortune by authoring a book? Writing a book can make you famous, as evidenced by authors Stephen King, JK Rowling, … Read more
Short stories require skills honed through experience and study, with every writer utilizing their own techniques. Even though every author has their own method for composing these miniature tales, most agree that short stories are more difficult to write than novels. Here are 4 reasons why short stories are so hard to write: Authors must … Read more
History is rife with stories of famous authors losing their work to send a chill up any writer’s spine. Dylan Thomas lost Under Milk Wood in a pub, and Ernest Hemmingway’s wife Hadley lost his early stories on a train. Thankfully today, we have other options besides physical copies to store our writing. Here are … Read more