How many of you own or have read The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass? Today I’m interested in these ideas: “How many novels have moved you to tears, rage, and a resolution to live differently? How many have left a permanent mark, branding you with a story that you will never forget? TheContinue reading “‘We remember not the art but the impact’ – advice for fiction writers from Donald Maass”
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Improve your writing craft in 2025 – free and paid options
Looking to improve your writing craft in 2025? Join the free Cherry Edits Writing Craft Facebook group or invest in 1-to-1 coaching for personalised support. Let’s make your writing shine!
Reading outside your genre can help you learn storytelling tricks.
Discover how reading outside your genre can improve your storytelling skills. Learn practical tips, like mastering scene transitions, and explore how techniques from thrillers, romance, and more can enhance your writing.
Should Your Main Character Be Likeable? Insights from K. M. Weiland’s Crafting Unforgettable Characters
Should your protagonist be likeable? In Crafting Unforgettable Characters, K. M. Weiland challenges the notion that niceness is key. Instead, she argues that imperfection and charisma make characters truly compelling. Discover why flaws and internal struggles create more memorable stories.
Let’s talk need vs desire in storytelling. Here’s what John Truby says.
Need and desire are two distinct yet crucial story elements, often misunderstood as a single step. In The Anatomy of Story, John Truby explains how need drives internal transformation while desire propels external action. Understanding and balancing both can elevate your storytelling and deepen audience engagement.
FantasyCon 2024. Will you be there?
Jon and I are excited to attend our first FantasyCon, which is on between the 11th and 13th October 2024 in Chester, UK. We’re both appearing on panels, with Jon discussing the apocalyse, disability, grimdark, and rogues. I’ll be discussing editing, naturally! There are so many sessions on that have piqued my interest, so myContinue reading “FantasyCon 2024. Will you be there?”
How to fix storytelling problems: Study how others did it.
Learn how a successful writer navigates tricky storytelling problems: she studies what other people do.
Go get ’em, tiger. How to punctuate contractions correctly.
Learn a quick tip to avoid a common apostrophe error in Microsoft Word and Google Docs! Today’s advice helps you spot the difference between an apostrophe and an opening quotation mark. Use ALT+0146 to ensure correct punctuation. Don’t worry if you forget—your editor will catch it, but mastering this trick gives you the upper hand!
Is ‘Save The Cat! Writes a Novel’ a formula or a framework?
Hey, writers. I’ve got some questions for you about the very popular writing craft book: ‘Save The Cat! Writes A Novel’ by Jessica Brody. 💬 Here’s what the Amazon blurb says about this book: ‘Novelist Jessica Brody presents a comprehensive story-structure guide for novelists that applies the famed Save the Cat! screenwriting methodology to theContinue reading “Is ‘Save The Cat! Writes a Novel’ a formula or a framework?”
Books about where you live: Do they paint an accurate picture?
A short review of Tom Chesshyre’s Lost in the Lakes’ This book. 🤩 Oh yes! Right up my street — or, more accurately, my old stomping ground. I finished this over the weekend and loved it. I’m not so sure that this cover (as lovely as it is) quite encapsulates the feel of this travelogue,Continue reading “Books about where you live: Do they paint an accurate picture?”
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