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!
What is lyrical prose and how do you use it effectively?
"I've been told my prose is 'too plain' and that I should make it more lyrical, but I’m not really sure what that means. Can you help?" Firstly, I want to start off by saying that using plain language is absolutely fine. Clarity should always be your aim when writing,...
The Troubling Trend of Online Beta Reading Scams
If you've spent any time on writing social media lately, you’ve probably noticed a surge of accounts offering beta reading services. They’ll pop up in comments on posts you’ve followed. Maybe they’ve even commented on your posts, or slid into your DMS. On our Tumblr...
How do you write a tragic backstory?
"I'm trying to write a backstory for my main character. She's supposed to have this really tragic past that explains why she's so closed off and distrustful, but every time I write it, it feels... fake? Like I'm just piling on sad things for no reason. How do I make...
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 start writing again after a long break?
"I took a long break from writing. I want to start writing again but I don't know how. What should I do?" Writing takes a lot of time and effort, so I think we all have occasions when we’ve stepped away from it. Life happens, burnout is real, health, family, or work...
How do you write time skips?
"Any advice on how to write time skips? I'm working on the second draft of my novel and I keep getting stuck on transitions where time passes. Sometimes it's just a few days, but there's also a big jump of several years in the middle. I never know if I'm doing it...
What’s the best way to edit my writing without feeling overwhelmed?
"How do I know when I've done enough editing and my story's actually ready to show to other people? I always feel like there's more I could fix, but at some point, I don't know if I'm overthinking it or if it really still needs work." There is no scarier feeling for a...
