Which was better: the book or the movie? That question isn't just a fun debate starter. It can also lead to meaningful insights about what it takes to write a great story.

Want to try your hand at writing a movie? Learn how to get started with this quick guide to screenwriting.

Kinda wish you didn't have to choose between genres when you write your next novel? Maybe you don't have to! Get to know hybrid genres and what it takes to write a great cross-genre story.

Looking for tips on how to write an engaging story all in verse? You'll find everything you need to know in this article, from crafting your narrative to managing your meter.

Narrative writing shows up in multiple forms and nearly every genre. Get to know the four most common types of narrative writing and learn how to tell a great story in any context.

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.

What's the difference between narrative writing and expository writing? What does a technical writer do? How do you nail descriptive writing? Here's everything you ever wanted to know about the most common types of writing styles.

Technical writers are pretty much always in demand. Learn what it takes to survive and thrive in this line of work.

While it's not for every story, tragic irony can be a great way to mess with both your characters and your readers... in a fun way, of course. Learn all about it in this article.

Got a lot of writerly types around you talking about archetypes but have no idea what they're going on about? No worries! You can find a full explanation here and learn how to use archetypes to write a story that resonates.

If you're a confused about what a trope actually is, you've got good reason to be. This one literary term covers a ton of storytelling devices, and nailing down the definition isn't always easy. Fortunately, we've got a whole bunch of trope examples to help clarify things.

There's a difference between the way we tell a story to a friend and the way we craft a story for an audience of readers. Want to want to write a story that keeps readers enthralled? Consider this your introductory guide to the must-have parts of a story.

There are certain core elements of every work of fiction, some principles you need to know to write a good story. In this article, we cover the most important elements of fiction.

You may have heard people talk about purple prose. More specifically, you may have heard the phrase "purple prose" used an explanation for why someone didn't like a book or doesn't read a particular author. But what is purple prose? Why is it so bad? And how do you avoid it in your own writing? Find all those answers here.

Tone is one of the most powerful tools for writing a novel that hooks readers and keeps them engaged until the very last page. Discover what it takes to nail your narrative tone.

What's the purpose of an epilogue? Do readers prefer to have one? How do you know if your story needs a little something extra beyond the happily ever after? Find the answers to your most urgent epilogue questions right here.

Diction is about so much more than choosing the right words. This aspect of your writing can help you create engaging characters with realistic voices. Here's how.

The way you start your novel is one of the most important decisions an author can make. In medias res (literally "in the midst of things") is one of the most effective options you have to open your story. Learn more about it, including how to write an in medias res opening, in this article.

An epilogue is a crystal ball, offering your readers a sneaky little glance into your characters' future. But is it always a good thing? And how do you write an epilogue that doesn't step on your carefully crafted final chapter? We've got some hot tips for you.

Hooks can be incredibly powerful openers, especially to draw your readers into your book from the first line. In this article, we're covering everything you need to write a hook to start your novel.

Metaphors are powerful literary devices to enhance our writing, and the strongest of them is the almighty extended metaphor. Learn all about it and how to incorporate it into your own writing in this article.

What's the difference between situational and dramatic irony? How does verbal irony fit in? What the heck is Socratic irony? And do you really need to know all this? This guide untangles irony and shows you how you can use it in your own stories.

Socratic irony is sneaky, manipulative, and a great way to make a big reveal even more delicious. If you want to learn how to incorporate this device in your own story—or if you just want to get better at identifying it—you've come to the right place.

Using alliteration in your writing is a beautiful balance between subtlety and annoying your reader. But if you get it right, you can craft killer prose that gets your audience to read exactly the way you want.

Literary devices are the tools authors whip out to add a little extra polish, a bit more pizazz to their writing. Situational irony is just one of those tools, a form of misdirection that will hook your readers until your last page.

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

Dramatic irony is a fantastic tool for ramping up tension, building suspense, and stressing your readers out in the best possible way. Read on to learn what it is, what it isn't, and how it works.

What's verbal irony? How do you know when a statement is ironic? Is this a tool you should be using in your own writing? If so, how does it work? If your head is spinning, don't worry. We got you.

How can you write an unreliable narrator without making your readers crazy? And why would you want to write one in the first place? This article covers everything you ever wanted to know about telling a story through a less-than-credible voice.

What's the difference between chapter books and middle grade fiction? Can you write for more than one age group? Is young adult really that different from adult fiction? Here's everything you ever wanted to know about connecting with readers of all ages.

You may have heard that your success as an author depends on your ability to write within the confines of your literary genre. But does that mean you have to produce dull, cookie-cutter novels? Here are the answers to your biggest questions about genre.

Symbols and motifs are powerful tools for an author who knows how to use them, but getting this storytelling elements right can be tricky. In this article, we discuss what motifs and symbols are and how you can use them to make your novel unforgettable.

Ready to get inspired by some of the best opening lines in literature? Here are some of our favorites, why they're so brilliant, and how you can write a stellar first line that draws readers into the world of your story.

Welcome to the imagination gym, where we're going to introduce you to a bunch of free writing exercises you can use to create a custom author workout plan.

There's never been a better time to create an audiobook. But how do you do it? More importantly, how do you make sure your self-published audiobook is a quality product? Here's everything you need to know.

Knowing how to pace a story is absolutely mandatory if you hope to write an unputdownable novel. The tricky part? The formula isn't the same for every book. Use this guide to learn how to pace your one-of-a-kind tale.

These free Don't Tell worksheets will help you perfect your prose and write a story that feels real for your reader. Learn how to stir emotions and communicate theme without all the clunky explanations.

Knowing how to write a prologue is about more than putting all the right parts in the right order. You also need to know why you're writing one so you can use this storytelling guide to its fullest potential. This guide will help.

Want to learn how to write a flashback? Consider this your comprehensive guide to recreating your character's backstory for the reader. Discover tricks for doing it well... and deciding whether it makes sense to write a flashback in the first place.

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!

Giving your reader a peek into the mind of your characters can be an effective tool in your writing toolkit, but only if you do it right. In this article, we look at how to write character thoughts.

You’ve just finished a novel you couldn’t put down. The pacing was spot on and everything about it made you want to keep flipping the pages to find out what happens next. You’re going to be exhausted for work this morning and you really shouldn’t have stayed up until 3 am to find out if they found the killer. If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, then it’s probably because you were reading a plot-driven story. If you’ve ever considered writing a plot-driven story, you might be wondering what exactly that term means and what elements you need to write one. In this article, we’ll break that down and give you some tips for writing your own plot-driven book. 

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.

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

There may not be one universal answer to how many scenes should be in an act. But this guide will help you find the right answer for your novel.

You’ve cobbled together 100K words of sheer brilliance, but now you must tackle the hardest task. How do you write book titles, anyway?

One of the biggest challenges in writing a novel is ensuring your characters sound different from one another. You don’t want carbon copy characters who all talk the same. After all, reading isn’t a visual medium, so while you can use descriptions to differentiate characters, in the end, your readers are really going to differentiate them in how they speak and act. Your readers are building these characters in their heads, so you want to offer them as many cues to tell them apart as possible. It will make for a better reading experience and ensure your characters are more memorable. 

Realistic dialogue makes your readers feel like they're peering in on the private lives of strangers. Creepy? Maybe. But it's also the secret to writing a story that connects and resonates. Here's how to write dialogue that feels real.

Studying the best first lines of books not only helps you write your own brilliant opening, it also sharpens your writing skills overall. Here are some of the best first lines ever written, plus some great tips for nailing your own.

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.

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.

Should you use a first-person narrative in your novel? What are the benefits? And how do you do it well? Find the answers right here.

We talk a lot about character development and how to make those paper children of yours come to life so they leap off the page. It’s one of the fundamental aspects of a good story—without characters your reader can fall in love with, you don’t really have much of a story. But a potentially less common question is, how the heck do you go about introducing those fascinating characters? Maybe this seems obvious, or maybe it doesn’t. After all, there are numerous ways you can introduce them into your story that not only tell the reader they exist but also show who your character is. Sure, it can be as simple as walking on and saying “hello,” but it can also be a lot deeper than that. 

Author's tone is an abstract, slippery concept. But once you've mastered this skill in your writing, you'll have a powerful tool for captivating readers.

The short story. It seems like it should be simpler to write because it’s, well… short. Right? Maybe. It depends on you and a few other factors. Short story writing is an art unto itself, and while yes, there might be fewer words overall, you still need the same kind of practice and care you exercise when writing a longer piece. If you’ve ever wanted to write a short story, then pay attention, because we’re digging into everything you need to know to tackle your own. 

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.

The third-person limited point of view is extremely popular in novels of all genres. Learn why and how to master this narrative style yourself.

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!

Before ChatGPT becomes our AI overlord, you should at least get some use out of it for your fiction writing. Here's how ChatGPT can help you write better fiction.

Learn how to write a book synopsis that gets the attention of agents and publishers. It's easier than you think.

Want to learn how to write exposition that's not so explainy? Divulge compelling backstory using these tried-and-true tips.

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.

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 do you write a good inciting incident? And what makes it good? These nine, easy-to-follow tips will help you devise a story catalyst that captivates your readers and launches an unforgettable adventure.

Fantasy author extraordinaire and New York Times bestseller R. A. Salvatore is one of the most prolific and influential authors in the space today. He recently joined us for a chat about the writing life and his favorite subject, world building.

Planning to self-publish your novel? Then you need to know how to make a book cover. Here's everything you need to know about catching your reader's eye and getting them to click "buy."

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.

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.

Stuck in a rut and need to kick those creative gears into motion? Look no further than these five different brainstorming techniques for writers!

How long should your chapters be? On average, chapters tend to range from 1,000-5,000 words, with most falling in the 2,000-4,000 range.

Not sure how to describe clothing writing? It's easier (and more fun) than you might think. Here's everything you need to know.

There’s a lot of to-do about the opening of a story. I mean, writers probably have more practice starting stories as opposed to finishing them. Right? We also hear a lot about that pesky saggy middle when the excitement of the opening is long over and now you’re wondering what the heck you’re supposed to do with these characters. Sure, the opening, middle, and all the parts in between are important, but truly nailing the end of that book is where you’re going to create dedicated fans who are already begging for the next one. And if you want to make a career of this whole writing thing, you have to make sure you leave them wanting more. 

The inciting incident is the make-or-break moment for your story. It’s the catalyst for change. It’s the thing that sets your entire tale in motion. It’s the kick in the pants your protagonist needs to force a change in their lives they probably never saw coming. Novel openings are one of the hardest things to nail and you can’t do that without a compelling, disruptive, and logical inciting incident. But how do you create an inciting incident that will carry your whole story?

Never judge a book by its cover. Ha, I’ve never heard anything that’s less true. I guess the origins of the phrase suggest you shouldn’t judge people by outward appearances or something like that, and yes, that’s definitely true. But when we’re talking about actual books, then you should absolutely, definitely be judging books by their covers. Publishers use book covers as marketing tools. It tells you, dear reader, where that book falls in terms of genre and age and lets you know if this might be a book you like. If you’ve ever wondered why all the books in a specific category look similar, that’s on purpose. It’s a sign post. A guide that says, if you like other books in this genre, then this book might also appeal to you. 

One of the most important decisions you can make regarding your novel is deciding what point of view you choose to tell it in. In fact, it might be considered the most important decision you make, second only to perhaps picking whose points of views you’re going to tell your story through. 

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!

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.

Just like a compelling opening, a good ending is a bit of an art form and can take some practice. As with anything in writing, the best way to learn is to read. Think about books with memorable endings that you’ve enjoyed: read them again with a critical eye and think about how and why they work. 

Have you ever read a book that just seems to flow? The writing feels effortless and smooth and almost like the literary equivalent of honey? Well, then you’re reading lyrical prose, my friend. It’s a style of writing that relies on a few techniques that make use of similar sounds and cadence to help create a more fluid and musical style of writing. 

Epistolary is basically the practice of conveying a narrative story through the use of letters, journal entries, or other documents. Once upon a time, that probably meant handwritten notes or mail between characters. These days, it can mean a lot more when you factor in the advent of electronic communication. 

Knowing how to end a chapter means knowing how to keep readers engaged and hungry for more. Power up your writing with these must-know tips and get inspired with 16 chapter-ending ideas.

Not sure what tense you should write in? Opinions about, but only you know best. This article will help you choose the best tense for your story.

Voice versus point of view. These are terms that get bandied about a lot when we talk about our writing. But what do they mean, and are they the same thing?In short, they aren’t the same thing, though it’s easy to see why some people get them confused. Voice is the style the author chooses to tell the story and point of view is the perspective from which the story is told.

3rd-person limited or 1st-person epistolary? Here is what you need to know about narrative point of view and your story.

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

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!

Think about the worst pain you’ve ever experienced. How would you have described it when you were in the moment? What did it feel like? Did it have a color and texture? Maybe even a sound or a smell? Did it make you perceive your world in different ways? Did you notice what was going on around you? 

How to start a first chapter: include action, character, plot, emotion, and motivation or you’re going to lose your reader.

So what is second person, you wonder? Well, it’s when you remove the fourth wall between the reader and writer, bringing your audience into the action. It can be used to make your story more interactive. 

Do you have a story in you? Of course you do! Come write with us for the Dabble Writing Challenge.

In this article, we’ll explore what active and passive writing is and when you should use them. Contrary to some beliefs, sometimes passive voice does make sense. Not everything you write should or needs to be active (though it should be most of the time).

Clichés are phrases you’ve heard so many times they’ve lost all meaning. They’re as dead as a doornail. They’re stones thrown in glass houses. They make your writing seem derivative, boring and lacking in imagination. 

Writing a sequel is an entirely different entity than writing the first book in a series. With a first book, you have all the newness and excitement of introducing fresh characters and settings. And while there is an entire canon of advice and articles dedicated to writing a book, most of that really applies to writing the first (or only) book in a series. Sequels come with their own set of challenges and rules. I wrote my first sequel last year after writing plenty of first books and it was definitely a different kind of beast to tackle. 

First person narrative is when you write using the words “I”, “us”, or “we”. It’s when your story is told through the eyes of one person and we spend time in their head, hearing their thoughts and seeing what they see.

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.

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.

Not sure how to write a theme? Struggling to even think of a theme? Check out this guide to building a story that means something.

When you’re finding a character’s voice, you’re basically Dr. Frankenstein trying to source the electricity that will bring the monster to life. Here's how to turn a pile of character traits into a living, breathing being.

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.

If you’re embarking on a topic that requires a lot of research, you might wonder where you even begin. How do you make use of all those juicy tidbits, and what kind of process should you use to ensure complete and total accuracy?