Creating Your Characters, Part 2: The Villain (Antagonist)
6 mins
It’s Villain Week! When I first started learning about story structure, I thought the “antagonist” was just…
6 mins
🧬 The Anatomy of Story: From Words to Novels—How Every Level Connects
7 mins
ery great novel is built from the ground up—words into sentences, into scenes, into chapters, into a…
📖 The Anatomy of a Chapter: How those scenes fit together.
7 mins
A chapter is more than a chunk of text. It’s a narrative engine—a self-contained movement within the…
🎬 The Anatomy of a Scene: What Makes It Work?
5 mins
Every great story is made of great scenes—but what separates a good scene from one that sticks…
✨ Top 10 Opening Lines That Hooked Us Instantly
3 mins
ey say you only get one chance to make a first impression—and nowhere is that truer than…
Creating Your Characters, Part 1: The Hero (Protagonist)
7 mins
When I first started writing, the term “protagonist” sounded like something out of a textbook. I’d nod…
What We Can Learn from My Recommended Book Choices
7 mins
from four standout writing books When you’re just starting out as a writer, the sheer volume of…
How to Turn a Vague Idea Into a Story That Works
7 mins
From “Hmm, I’ve got a thought…” to “I’m writing chapter one” Every writer has been there. You’ve…
How Long Should Your Book Be? A Word Count Guide I Wish I’d Had
7 mins
When I first decided to write seriously, one of the first things I Googled — probably while…
Your First 5,000 Words: What to Focus On (and What to Ignore)
6 mins
There’s a moment — usually somewhere between word 1 and 5,000 — when most writers hit that…