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!
4 Fundamental Tools for Beating Writer’s Block
Writer’s block is the manifestation of fear that prevents you from creating art. Though invisible and intangible, it is a fierce and worthy opponent. What type of “block” is your writer’s block? Is it a roadblock that you need to push through? A knot that you...
How do you come up with great fantasy names?
"Hello, I want to know what are some ways to come up with names for a non-magical energy source that gives people elemental abilities? I've had a few names in mind, but I always feel like I could come up with something better. Can you please help me out?" Naming...
5 Crutch Words to Eliminate From Your Writing
Have you ever read back something you’ve written and felt like it’s not as strong as you’d like? We all have crutch words we overuse that both bulk up the word count and weaken the prose. While crutch words can have a place in your writing, especially for...
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 I know if I’ve picked the right protagonist?
"How do I know if a character I've set as a main character is going to be relevant to my story? I don't want to make a whole character and get attached to them if they won't help the narrative or contribute anything to the plot." This is a struggle I know all too...
How do you come up with a theme for your story?
"I’m not sure where the heart of my story is. How do I figure out the theme of the story so I can flesh out the details (without changing my mind next week)? Do you start with a theme and build a story around it, or does the theme emerge as you write?" Themes are so...
How do you prioritise subplots?
"I've written 75% of my novel, but it has a medium-sized cast with quite a few subplots. For a satisfying ending, what do I prioritize for the final act/conclusion, and what details could I afford to skip or leave out? How should I order them and distribute the screen...
