Book Review and Recommendation: The Conflict Thesaurus Volume 2

Book Review and Recommendation: The Conflict Thesaurus Volume 2

If you're looking to add some excitement and tension to your writing, then you need to check out the Conflict Thesaurus Volume 2. This book is filled with a variety of conflict scenarios that will keep your readers engaged and turning the pages. Whether you're writing a novel, screenplay, or just want to add more drama to your blog posts, this book has something for you.

Read More

How to Write a Detective Story When You're Not a Detective

How to Write a Detective Story When You're Not a Detective

It's easy to think that in order to write a detective story, you have to be a detective. But this isn't the case at all! In fact, many famous detective stories were written by people who had no real-world experience in detective work. So how do they do it? How can someone write a detective story when they're not a detective? The answer is simple: They use their imagination, and they do their research!

Read More

What is Crime Fiction? (and how to write it)

What is Crime Fiction? (and how to write it)

What is crime fiction? This is a question that has been asked by many people over the years. The answer, however, is not always simple. Crime fiction can be broadly defined as any story that revolves around a crime or criminal act. This could include murder mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels, just to name a few.

Read More

How to Plot a Novel

How to Plot a Novel

The process of writing a novel can be mysterious and daunting. If you're ready to take the plunge, these tips will help you plot your book in record time. Plotting is the process of exploring your characters and setting, seeing where they might go in the story. You'll need to have a solid idea of who your heroine or hero is and what makes them tick before you begin writing. Knowing the overall theme of your book will help you determine the direction that your plot should take while keeping you focused while you write.

Read More

Anxiety . . . What is it Good For? An Excerpt from Pitch Like Hollywood

Anxiety . . . What is it Good For? An Excerpt from Pitch Like Hollywood

I had the privilege of reviewing an advance copy of Pitch Like Hollywood: What You Can Learn from the High-Stakes Film Industry by Peter Desberg and Jeffrey Davis. The following is an excerpt from (pp. 109-115, McGraw Hill, February 2022).

The reason anxiety feels so horrible when you’re pitching is simple: You haven’t read the manual. You’re not using it the way it’s evolved since a saber-toothed tiger first chased Homo erectus.

Read More

Work-Life Balance Tips to Recharge Your Creative Juices

Work-Life Balance Tips to Recharge Your Creative Juices

*Guest post by Sophia Young.

Trying to separate work and life can be particularly challenging for writers. You want to go to work to practice your craft, and then return home to practice some more. Given the constant nature of the creative process, the stress that comes with it may bleed into your daily life. It can be hard to disentangle the emotions and exhaustion associated with creating and building new worlds from your everyday life with family and friends.

Read More