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In the previous post , we talked about the pantsing approach to writing—what it is, why it works, and what to do when it doesn’t. But if sitting in front of a blank page sounds like more anxiety than fun, plotting might be the better writing approach for you. If you’re new to plotting, wondering if it might work for you, or find it challenging, this guide will help you understand what plotting is and how to use it to write your book. In today’s post, we’ll look at: What is Pl

One common question writers often ask each other (other than “why?”) is “Are you a plotter or a pantser?” If you’re drawn to pantsing, trying to figure out if it works for you, or keep getting stuck when you try it, this guide will help you understand what pantsing is and how to use it to write your book. In today’s post, we’ll look at: What is pantsing? Why write using this method? When pantsing doesn’t work? What to do about it? Let’s dive in. What is a Plotter or a Pantser

Your mood has a significant impact on your writing (shocking, I know). Feeling sad can draw you to describe gloomy days and dramatic conversations, while exciting events can make you feel pumped and act as fuel for more dynamic, fast-paced, or romantic writing (or make the dragon your heroes encounter in the cave suddenly start singing like a Disney princess). But while it can help, mood can also be a significant hindrance , and potentially prevent you from writing altogether

Can you recall the first time you were hit with the writing bug? For me, it was after discovering the fantasy genre. The limitless potential of a world much more mysterious than our own was so alluring, that I just had to try and create one of my own. But soon after attempting to write my first book, I realized that for some unexplainable reason, I just can’t seem to be able to. And I know I’m not alone in this. Many aspiring writers find that writing, despite our passion for

Last winter, as I was still busy preparing my debut book for release, I happened to stumble upon a conversation with a local indie-author who owned his own small publishing company and claimed to be an authority in the field. “How many times did you rewrite your book?” he asked me. “Do you mean how many times I edited it?” I replied, explaining that there were multiple rounds of beta-reader feedback, changes, tweaks, and lots of grammar checks with Grammarly. But our guy was

The writer’s path is full of obstacles—from deciding what to write about to actually finishing a manuscript. But one of the biggest challenges is one we create for ourselves: overthinking. For many writers, one of the main reasons they find it so hard to write a draft from beginning to end is that they keep getting themselves sidetracked by overthinking: What should the cover for this book look like? Is it YA or dark fantasy? How many goblins should ambush my protagonist in t

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck mid-writing—not sure how to develop an idea into a narrative, or not sure where to take your characters next—the problem isn’t with inspiration, but lack of analysis. We like to think of writing as a creative art, ruled by elusive powers such as the muse and inspiration. We wait for stories to unfold on their own and characters to mystically write themselves as they go through the plot. But if you’ve ever had a staring contest with a blank

For many beginner writers, the first struggle they need to overcome is actually writing something from beginning to end. But it’s not the only challenge an aspiring writer can face. Once writing a complete manuscript is no longer an issue, you soon find yourself faced with a different kind of question: how to improve as a writer, and ideally, without spending money on it? Whether you’re writing as a hobby or attempting to publish your books for the whole world to see, somewhe

Let’s face it, most fantasy writers are in it for the magic. And I can’t blame them—it’s much more exciting than our mundane reality. It’s what got me into writing fantasy in the first place; I’ve been to reality, and even though I haven’t lived through all possible human experiences, I think I get the gist. Fantasy, on the other hand, is a land of shiny, endless possibilities. But while liberating (from office jobs and pesky laws of physics), fantasy writing presents a diffe

Most aspiring writers struggle to finish writing a book, and it’s not only the discipline or the art of storytelling that’s standing in their way—but it’s also the fear of failure. For many beginner writers, the fear of criticism, of not being good enough, is the thing that takes them from “I have this great idea I want to write” to “It’s probably bad.” The paradox is, however, that becoming a good writer takes time and practice (as well as being open to criticism), and none

The thing most beginner writers struggle with the most is building a consistent writing habit. When you’re just starting out, writing feels chaotic. Your attention is pulled in a dozen directions, and your ability to write seems to depend entirely on the mood you wake up in or whether the muse decided to pay you a visit that day. But the reality is that writing has little to do with inspiration and everything to do with habit. And just to make my point – I’m writing this arti

Are you trying to decide whether to set your novel in the real world or a fantasy one? You’re not alone. Many writers get stuck at this exact crossroads, and I can’t blame them; Realism offers safety, familiarity, but also some serious expectations to meet, while fantasy offers, well, freedom. For many writers, fantasy solves problems that realism creates: overwhelming research, creative limitations, and a sense that everyday life simply isn’t interesting enough. Which is whe

Every writer has a voice. Here's how to identify yours through tried and proven methods.

One of the most frustrating parts of writing isn’t a lack of ideas, but our inability to stay focused long enough to do something with them. You sit down to write, open the document, stare at the screen, and… get sidetracked a moment later to research something “important” or check a likely irrelevant notification. We often talk about flow — that state where writing feels effortless, scenes unfold naturally, and the outside world fades away. For many writers, that feeling is