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!
How do you write love at first sight?
"Hey sorry if this has been asked already but could you give any tips on how to write a character falling in love at first sight or i suppose infatuation. Like dumbstruck by how attractive they find the person if front of them, thanks" That electric moment when two...
Genre Talk: Exploring the World of Steampunk
What is Steampunk? Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that combines historical elements with anachronistic technological features inspired by science fiction. The time period for steampunk is typically set during the Victorian era or an alternative...
How to Learn From Criticism and Rejection
There is no better teacher than criticism. And rejection, no matter what form it takes, is just a form of criticism. While true criticism usually falls into two camps — constructive or critical. There are things that can be learned from all types of feedback, even if...
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 write interesting character backstories?
“Hi Novlr! Would you possibly have any ideas about how to make character backstories more interesting?” Trying to breathe life into a character's past without falling into the trap of cliché or a boring chronological list of events is always a challenge. Backstories...
How do you write middle-grade fiction?
"I'm going to be honest to the point of embarrassment: I've always wanted to write books for children in the style of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House Books. How do you write in a way that will connect with younger readers?" First of all, there is nothing to be...
How do you write a satisfying ending?
“How do you come up with a satisfying ending to a story? And what different types of endings can a story have?” Writing an ending that does justice to everything you’ve written up until that point is an incredibly daunting thing to tackle. It’s your last chance to...
