Writes of Fiction

Writes of Fiction

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Every genre is a worldbuilding genre

Why every story needs a world (yes, even contemporary fiction), plus more craft advice on project management, writing life misconceptions, and what publishing company editors want and don't want.
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Forging your story's chain of progressively escalating complications
Make your character happen to the story by giving them the agency to respond, choose, and act in some minute way in every scene.
Grammar habits that silence your writing voice
Writing techniques for novelists: how letting your editor pick up all the slack in your manuscript ultimately sabotages your ability to produce a…
Thursday Office Hours: Last call for midday craft discussion
Grab your coffee and join us today this afternoon—Office Hours returns with editor Beth Hill and me, ready to tackle your fiction questions.
Thursday Office Hours: Your brown bag hour with two editors and fellow writers
Clear your calendar this Thursday at midday, fiction writers—Office Hours is back. Editor Beth Hill and I will be taking your questions about…
Small rules, big impact
Writing techniques for novelists: sharing your unique creative voice, what your submission packet really needs to prove, mastering the semicolon, and…
Does your story have good bones?
Is your manuscript ready for the world, or does it need more time in the revision cave? Early assessments keep you on track when you're not quite ready…
Story trumps style—but style matters too
Writing techniques for novelists: first-page hooks, five common issues to tune during revision, showing and also telling, and revision strategies.
How to turn off the movie in your mind
On writing books as books and not as films, the magic of the rule of three, red flags that signal immersion-breaking roadblocks in your writing, and the…
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Losing your readers by trying too hard
On losing your readers by trying too hard, how editors and agents can vet your work in only a few pages, business survival skills for authors, and…
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Writes of Fiction
Writes of Fiction
Writing craft grounded in the best of old and new thinking, designed to accelerate your development as a writer.
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Lisa Poisso
Story Coach & Editor
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