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How do you respectfully portray alcoholism?

“This may seem like a weird question, but any tips for writing an alcoholic character?She's the queen of a rather unstable kingdom in a Graeco-Roman inspired fantasy setting and uses wine to cope with stress caused by the political circus and personal things, and her...

Don’t Delete Your Words. Your Words Have Value.

It’s so easy to delete your words. Don’t like what you’ve written? A blank slate is just the touch of a button away. In the moment, it can be tempting to just start over, but, and I can’t stress this enough, do not delete your words! Once they’re gone, you can’t get...

Do I need to describe my character’s clothes?

"Weird question here: do I need to describe my character's clothes? Obviously I need to if it's important to the story or setting (if they're wearing a beautiful ruby gown at a ball, or maybe dirty and torn to indicate a fight) but just on a normal day? Do readers...

A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Subtext

Subtext is a powerful tool in creative writing. It spans every genre, and we even use it in everyday life (passive aggression and flirting are great examples of everyday subtext). It allows for the creation of rich, multi-layered narratives and conveys emotions hidden...
4 Strategies For Writing Convincing Dialogue

4 Strategies For Writing Convincing Dialogue

When it comes to writing convincing dialogue for a story, it’s important to make it believable. Believable doesn’t mean “lifelike,” though. So what does it mean? Dialogue is an essential element to writing an interesting story—it brings life and voice to your...

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What does catharsis mean?

What does catharsis mean?

“I’ve heard the term ‘catharsis’ before. But what does it mean? And how can it be used in a story?” Ever feel like you're carrying around a heavy weight of emotion? Like you just need to let it out? That feeling, that release, is what we call catharsis. It's a...

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Why do so many authors write Christmas books?

Why do so many authors write Christmas books?

“Why do so many authors choose to write Christmas books? Is it because the holiday inspires certain types of stories, or is it more about connecting with readers during the holiday season?” People write for a number of reasons, all of which are personal. Whether...

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How do you respectfully describe body types?

How do you respectfully describe body types?

"How would i politely describe body types without being vague?" Characters are as diverse as the writers who write about them, but when it comes to describing them, it can be very easy to default to what we know or to succumb to clichés or stereotypes. This can be...

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