Doug Landsborough

Doug Landsborough

Doug Landsborough can’t get enough of writing. Whether freelancing as an editor, blog writer, or ghostwriter, Doug is a big fan of the power of words. In his spare time, he writes about monsters, angels, and demons under the name D. William Landsborough. When not obsessing about sympathetic villains and wondrous magic, Doug enjoys board games, horror movies, and spending time with his wife, Sarah.

How Many Chapters Should I Cram Into My Book?

There's no easy way to determine how many chapters you should have in your book, but let's figure out how many will work for you.

How Rich Will I Be After I Write a Book?

How much do authors make? It's a question every writer asks at least once. We break it down for you in this blog!

The Anatomy of Action: How to Write a Fight Scene

Fight scenes are what some readers live for, but writing them can be tough. Let's dissect how to write a fight scene in your novel.

Types of Character Motivation - What Gets Them Out Of Bed?

Character motivation is essential in creating characters your readers will care about. Learn about the types of motivation with Dabble!

How to Write a Good Villain: Full Recipe

It isn't easy to write a good villain, at least not without the right ingredients. Let Dabble give you the perfect recipe for a villain!

How to Plan a Novel That Rocks

Outlining your future bestseller isn't easy! But we break it down for you so you can plan a novel that rocks.

Don’t Be Conflicted About the Four Types of Story Conflict

Conflict is what makes books worth reading. Join us as we explore the four types of conflict you can use to make you story memorable!

Start a Story Right

The words you use to start a story are some of the most important you'll write. We'll help make sure you get them right!

The Common Person/Everyman Archetype - Everything You Need to Know

The Common Person or Everyman is a powerful archetype that can instantly relate to your readers. Learn how to use it in your writing!

The Creator Archetype - Everything You Need to Know

The Creator Archetype breathes life into their art, often to an obsessive level. Learn all about using this archetype in your writing!

The Sage Archetype - Everything You Need To Know

The Sage archetype is an important one in all storytelling—one that can either help or hinder the protagonist's journey in your book.

The Magician Archetype - Everything You Need To Know

The Magician archetype is one of the most popular archetypes in writing. In this blog, we explain everything you need to know about Magicians!

What is Chekhov's Gun?

Chekhov's Gun is a fundamental principle in writing. Join us as we examine what this principle is so you can apply it to your own writing.

What is the Snowflake Method?

We break down Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake Method, a type of outlining that can make writing your book much easier and faster.

What is Freytag's Pyramid?

One of the original story structures, Freytag's Pyramid is the foundation for dramatic stories and tragedies. Learn all about it with Dabble!

What are the different types of book editing?

Editing your book can be a daunting task. In this article, we breakdown the different types of editing and when you should apply them.

Story Structures: The Fundamentals You Need to Know

Story structures are the frameworks that tie your story together. A story structure can help guide your book to be the best it can be!

14 Common Character Archetypes You Should Know

Character archetypes can help you write complex, three-dimensional characters. Learn more about them, including 14 common types, with Dabble.

Punctuation Basics - A Beginner's Guide

Writing with proper punctuation can feel like the hardest part of writing. Don't worry, we've made a Beginner's Guide to Punctuation to help!

Finishing your First Draft - Day Six

Plot is pretty much everything that happens in your story. So let's look at some methods that can help map out your story.

Finishing your First Draft - Day One

Finishing your first draft is quite possibly the biggest challenge you'll face as a fiction writer. To be successful, where should you start?

Should I Pay a Publisher to Publish My Book? NO!

The publishing landscape is always changing, so many writers wonder: should I pay a publisher? Let's take a look at all your publishing options.

Finishing your First Draft - Day Seven

Time to learn one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. Welcome to the Plot Grid.

Finishing your First Draft - Day Nine

It's time to start writing. Get started by setting goals, and removing some sneaky myths from your mind.

Finishing your First Draft - Day Two

Writing well requires preparation. Set up your space, gather your tools, and adjust your mindset to crush your writing goals.

Finishing your First Draft - Day Ten

You have the knowledge and you have the tools. Time to become the writer you want to be. You got this!

Finishing your First Draft - Day Three

Your writing method will determine a lot about your process. Are you a Plotter or a Pantser?

Can You Make a Living as a Writer?

Have you every wondered whether you can make a living as a writer? It is far from easy, but we break down the way you can achieve your dreams as a career author.

How to Write a Good Antagonist: Full Recipe

Antagonists are some of the most important types of characters in stories, but also some of the most difficult to write. Let's breakdown what makes a good antagonist.

Seriously, What Makes Good Prose?

Prose describes how you write your book, and it can be challenging to get right. So, in this article, we cover what makes good prose.

Finishing your First Draft - Day Four

Characters are the heart of a story. Let's talk about arcs, conflict, and growth.

Finishing your First Draft - Day Eight

Theme is subtle, tricky, and will likely be the most effective way to get your audience emotionally engaged. So how do you do it?

The Best Character Template Ever (100+ Character Traits!)

We've got you covered with the best character template ever to help bring your story's characters to life!

Finishing your First Draft - Day Five

Characters come with traits, flaws, problems and much more. Time to dig into those and start giving some depth to them.

"What are dialogue tags?" you ask.

Dialogue tags are a fundamental part of writing, but they can be tough to wrap your brain around. In this article, we make you a dialogue tag expert!

Top 10 Books to Level Up Your Fiction Writing (2022)

Writers are constantly learning and leveling up our craft. But, with hundreds of books on writing published every year, it's tough to narrow down your search for the best books on fiction writing. Luckily, we've compiled this list of the top ten (with some honorable mentions).

How to Write a Horror Story That Will Keep You Up At Night

There is an art to creating a series of sentences and paragraphs that will give your readers nightmares. Learn everything you need to write a horror story and make your audience afraid of the dark again.

How to write third-person omniscient POV: The all-seeing narrator

Third-person omniscient narrators are powerful storytellers, but it might not be as easy to write as it appears. In this article, we will decode the secrets of third-person omniscient POV.

How to Write An Awesome Story With Multiple Perspectives

Writing with multiple perspectives can elevate your story from good to great, but it's not as easy as it might seem. Join us as we cover everything you need to know about writing from multiple points of view.

Set the Stage: How to Write a Setting

One of the most critical components to your scene, writing a good setting takes skill, effort, and intention. Luckily for you, you can learn all about it in this article.

How Do You Write a Conflict in a Story? Let's Fight About It

Conflict is central to any story you will ever write, but actually writing that conflict is tough. No need to fight for the information, we have everything you need to write conflict

The Common Themes We Love in Books

Themes add an important element to our stories, giving them meaning and adding extra depth. There are some common themes that we all know and love to read about, and we cover those themes in this article.

Why Should I Care About My Book’s Theme?

It's easy to dismiss your book's theme as an afterthought - or not a thought at all. Let us convince you why theme is important for your story.

No, You (Usually) Shouldn't Pay Beta Readers

Beta readers are an integral part of perfecting your book. So should you pay these helpful readers? Usually not, but in this article, we'll cover why, when you should, and what you normally do to thank them.

Turn Fantasy Into Reality: How to Write a Fantasy Novel

Writing a fantasy novel is a big, exciting, and rewarding undertaking. In this article, we cover everything you need to know about writing a fantasy story.

40 Scary Writing Prompts to Give Your Readers Nightmares

There's a certain draw to being scared that some people can never satisfy. So give your readers what they want with these scary writing prompts!

30 Downright Terrifying Horror Story Ideas

Need a little push to get those horror gears turning in your head? Here are 30 different horror story ideas spread over six subgenres for you to use. What scary story will you write?

Writing Nail-Biters: How to Write Suspense in Horror

When it comes to making your reader's heart beat in fear, few things are more effective than adding suspense to your horror story. In this article, we discuss the ins and outs of adding suspense well.

How to Write a Thriller That Will Grip Your Readers

So you want to write a heart-stopping, white-knuckled, edge of your seat thriller? Well you've come to the right place. Join us as we decipher everything you need to know about writing a thriller.

Up the Ante: How to Build Suspense in Thrillers

There is nothing more quintessentially thriller than suspense. It's that hold-your-breath feeling that we crave in these stories. So, if you want to write a thriller your readers will love, here's how you build heart-stopping suspense.

How to Get Back Into Writing: Dust Off Those Author Cobwebs

Getting back into a writing groove can be tough, but it's something every author deals with. In this article, we cover a variety of mindset tips and actionable advice to help you get back into writing.

It’s Good to Be Bad: Writing a Villain Protagonist

Not all protagonists are heroes. In fact, some of the best stories feature villains as the main character. But writing a villain protagonist isn't easy, so let's break down exactly what you need to know.

Writing Complex Characters Isn't Confusing

Readers craze three-dimensional, deep, complex characters, but writing them can be daunting. In this article, we break down how to write complex characters in your novel.

What's the Perfect Length for a Prologue?

A prologue can be a powerful addition to your story, but only if you get it right. In this article, we discuss how you can find the perfect length for your prologue and what you should include in it.

Five ways to name your fantasy world (and why it’s important)

Naming your fantasy world and its towns, cities, and other locations can be a tall order. How do you even begin? What's the meaning behind famous names? In this article, we figure out how you can name your fantasy world and why you should put in the effort.

How to Write The Perfect Sword Fight

There are few things as thrilling to read as a well-composed sword fight. But there are few things as complex, too. In this article, we cover all you need to know to write some incredible fight scenes with swords (or other melee weapons).

Building Your Magic System: A Full Recipe

Magic is an essential part of most fantasy stories, but creating your own magic system can be tough. We break down everything you need to write your own magic system in this article.

Revising vs. Editing: What's the Difference?

In the world of writing, revising and editing might be used interchangeably, but there's a pretty big difference between the two. Use this article to understand the difference and make your story the best it can be!

What is a Magic System?

Magic is a staple of many genres, but a spellbinding book needs a good magic system. In this article, we cover what a magic system is and why you should care!

When Should You Use a Prologue in Your Book?

A prologue can be a powerful addition to your book... or completely ruin it for the reader. Use this article to figure out when you book should contain a prologue

How Many Scenes Should Be In My Novel?

Part of the technical side of writing is figuring out how long your book should be. This includes understanding how many scenes should be in a novel, which is what we discuss in this article.

Three Steps to Write Chapter Outlines That Work

Great chapters start with great chapter outlines! In this article, we'll cover how to outline a chapter step by step.

A Whole Bunch of Character Arc Ideas for Your Story

Great characters have great character arcs, but those can be tough to come up with! In this article, we cover fifteen character arc ideas you can use to craft incredible stories.

How to Finally Finish Writing Your Book

Sometimes writing the last few chapters of your book is more difficult than the tens of thousands of words you've already written. Don't worry, this article's going to get you set up with a system to finish your novel.

50+ Character Motivation Tropes and How to Make Them Your Own

When used properly, a trope instantly hooks your reader and gives them a sense of familiarity in your unique story. In this article, we look at how to use motivation tropes, make them your own, and give you more than 50 examples of tropes to kick your characters into gear.

9 Different Types of Magic Users to Use in Your Writing

One of the coolest parts of writing a book with magic is creating your magic users. Here are nine different types of tried-and-true spellcasters you can use in your story!

10 Different Types of Magic to Use in Your Writing

Magic is an incredible addition to fantasy stories, and there are a lot of different options you can choose when building your magic system. In this article, we look at the ten different categories of magic to use in your writing.

How to Write Dang Good Dialogue

Dialogue is an important part of writing a story. It's how characters plot, fall in love, and even how they can fight. In this article, we cover everything you need to know to write powerful dialogue.

How to Write a Trilogy: The Definitive Guide

Writing a trilogy is no easy feat, nor is it like writing a book or serialized novels. In this complete guide, we break down everything you need to know to write your best trilogy.

Is Self-Publishing a Good Idea?

Deciding whether or not to self-publish isn't something to be taken lightly. In this article, we cover the biggest pros and cons to help you decide if self-publishing is right for you.

What is the Oxford Comma (And Where Do You Use It?)

There isn't a more controversial piece of punctuation in the world than the Oxford comma. But what is this comma and how do we use it? Find out in this article!

How to Get Your Self-Published Books in Bookstores

For many authors, including self-published writers, getting your books into bookstores is the ultimate goal. If you don't have a big publisher behind you, this article will set you up for bookstore success!

How to Set Writing Goals for Novelists

Goals can be powerful tools for authors, but how do you go about setting effective writing goals? We've got your back.

How to Make More Money as an Author

The key to making more money as an author is to find the opportunities that best suit your skills and interests and work hard to achieve your goals. By exploring different options, you can increase your income, reach a wider audience, and achieve the success you've been dreaming of.

Dabble vs. Novlr: Which is Best for Writers?

When it comes to novel-writing platforms, Dabble and Novlr stand out above the rest. But which one is best for you and your writing? We compare the two in this article.

Dabble vs. Microsoft Word: What Should You Use to Write Your Novel?

Fiction authors have a difficult decision to make: what platform should you use to write your book? In this article, we objectively look at which authors should use Dabble and which should use Microsoft Word.

Dabble vs. Ulysses: Which Should You Write With?

What you write with can make a huge difference to fiction authors. But with so many options out there, how do you decide which to use? In this article, we'll be comparing Dabble and Ulysses to see which one is best for you.

How to Write a Death Scene That's Meaningful

As writers, we have the power to both create and destroy our fictional characters. Sometimes characters die, and you want to make sure you're sending them off the right way. In this article, we dissect all the best ways to write a death scene.

What the Heck is a One-Dimensional Character?

Being told your character is "one-dimensional" can feel like a slap to the face. But what does that even mean? And is there a place for one-dimensional characters in books? We discuss all that and more in this article.

Popular Magic Systems to Inspire Your Writing

Are you looking for a little inspiration to write your own system of magic? In this article, we examine seven examples of the most popular magic systems in literature.

The Best Examples of Good Dialogue

Great stories contain great dialogue. But writing good dialogue isn't easy, so we're going to cover what makes for good dialogue, why it's important, and cover examples of good dialogue in pop culture.

How to Write a Character Sketch That Works For You

A character sketch can be a great tool to help you flesh out a character and keep them consistent throughout your story. In this article, we cover everything you need to write a character sketch.

Does Self-Publishing Hurt Your Chances at Traditional Publishing

With so many options for authors to publish their work these days, some people might be wondering if self-publishing hurts your chances for getting a contract with a traditional publisher. The answer isn't all that clear, so we break it down in this article.

The Ultimate Guide to Start a Book Blog

So you want to take your love of reading and talking about books and turn it into a blog? This article will take you through everything you need to know to start a book blog.

Great Examples of Internal Conflict (And Why They Matter)

Internal conflict is essential for a great story, but what makes great internal conflict? In this article, we dissect what you need for a character's inner struggle and look at some examples of incredible internal conflict in media.

How to Write the Perfect First Chapter

The first chapter may very well be the most important in your entire book. But how do you write a first chapter that makes it impossible for your reader not to go to the next? We cover everything you need to know in this article.