Select Page

Novlr logo, dark

Welcome to the Reading Room

Join us with a cuppa and settle in for expert writing advice, writing and publishing tips, book reviews, and your questions answered!

The Reading Room chair - Novlr

5 Writing Games to Help You Get to Know Your Characters

The thrill of watching a character unfold and develop on the page is an experience like no other. But, it can be a challenge to truly understand and portray our characters authentically. So, how do we find ways to delve into their minds and bring out their unique...

How do you know if your story idea is big enough for a novel?

"Hiya. How do you know if an idea is big enough to span a whole novel? I often fall short when outlining because there's just not enough depth to the idea." This is such a relatable question. When I’m brainstorming, I often go to either extreme. I have too many ideas...

Tackling a November Writing Challenge? Here’s What You Need to Know

It’s that time of year again! Brush off your laptops and pick up your pencils, because this is the month where many writers challenge ourselves to write the first draft of a novel in a single month. The writing community has long considered November as novel-writing...

How do you come up with good character names?

"I've been struggling with naming my characters for weeks now. I keep second-guessing every name I choose, worried it's not meaningful or unique enough. How do you come up with good character names? And how do you know when you've found the right one?" I feel this...
What Is an ISBN and Why Do I Need One?

What Is an ISBN and Why Do I Need One?

ISBNs sound like a scary hoop that authors have to jump through, so let’s take a moment to unravel the mystery and give you a bit more clarity on what an ISBN is and why you might need one. What is an ISBN? ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It’s a...

read more
Ask Novlr header

Got a Question? Ask Novlr!

Want to know more about a certain aspect of writing or need more general advice or inspiration? We’re here to help! 

How do you introduce a new character?

How do you introduce a new character?

"You may have already done this, but how would you write a character's introduction?" The old adage, “Never judge a book by it’s cover” applies to more than just books. First impressions matter, both in life and in fiction. The way a writer introduces a character can...

read more
How do you balance multiple points of view?

How do you balance multiple points of view?

"I'm writing a story with multiple POVs, how should I balance the story out so every MC gets equal time? I want to make sure I'm being fair to all my characters." Writing from multiple points of view (POVs) can feel like juggling, constantly trying to keep all your...

read more
How do you write a realistic caregiver?

How do you write a realistic caregiver?

"Hello! I’m writing a group of characters and currently planning their dynamics with each other; I have one older character 40-50 yrs (A) one teen character (B) and one younger character 5-7 yrs (C)A is a mother-figure to B and is essentially their adopted mother. To...

read more

Join Novlr

Built by writers, for writers, Novlr is the world’s only writer-owned creative writing platform. Make it your workspace.

Novlr across devices

Ask Novlr

Got a question about a specific aspect of writing, publishing, editing, or book marketing? Do you need inspiration? We've got you covered!

Subscribe

Join 60,000+ people getting updates from the Reading Room directly to their inbox!