Writing Advice Masterlist
When to use summary and when to use scene
What is purple prose vs descriptive style
What to consider when writing for teens and children
The different types of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person
When to show and when to tell
Showing vs. Telling in plot, character, setting, dialogue, etc.
Psychic distance (what it is + comparing 3rd omniscient, 3rd limited, and 1st person)
How to write strong dialogue
How to create powerful similes and metaphors
How to lengthen or shorten a novel
Transitioning a book from being YA to being adult
The push and pull of hope and despair
How to introduce a flashback
Is it okay to use a POV shift for one scene?
Writing conflict and antagonist forces in a contemporary work/a piece with no villain
Describing setting in a way that’s in character
Writing sexual or romantic tension/attraction
How to write a kiss scene
Writing romantic or sexual attraction (when you’re aromantic/asexual)
How to be subtle with theme
How to plan a story’s conflict
How to write a 1st person witness narrator
Where to add a character description
Avoiding repetitive sentence structure
How to write a death scene
How to write body language
Using specificity to come up with original ideas
What can be ambiguous and what needs to be explained? + Magical realism vs fantasy
Describing something abstract/intangible
How to improve your description (writing exercise)
Using collective (aka: “we”) POV
PLOT, STRUCTURE, AND CONCEPT
How to know if a plot is satisfying
How to develop plot material
How to develop a novel idea from nothing
How to write the beginning of a novel
How to write a story that is mostly internal
Finding the balance between plot driven and character driven
Common pitfalls of a meet cute
Plotting a contemporary novel
Plotting the 2nd half of a novel
Plot beats in the 2nd half of a novel
How to develop a specific idea
How to keep your plot moving forward
How does structure work in literary fiction?
How does a character arc work?
Character development questions + exercises
How to use MBTI as a character development tool
How to find a character’s unique diction and vocabulary
How to write a problematic/morally grey/morally bankrupt character + with recommended readings
Is it okay to write a problematic main character? Where is the line?
Writing from the POV of a psychopath
Balancing out an unlikeable character
Writing a romance with a mentally ill character without romanticizing their mental illness
More thoughts on respectfully writing mental illness
How to do research to write a character with mental illness
What do I do if I feel like I write the same character over and over?
How to add character depth
As a male writer, can I write 1st person from a woman’s perspective?
Should a book have a comic relief character?
How to write a character mistake
How to write more complex character psychology
How to develop side characters
How to write an active character
How to manage a book with a very large cast
Writing an unreliable narrator
Writing LGBTQIAP+ characters
On respectfully writing queer characters
Respectfully writing a character of a different identity than yourself
Is it okay to write outside your lane?
Writing asexual characters
Writing a healthy romantic relationship
Why I will always writing about ‘problematic’ characters
Integrating character descriptions
Tips for character motivation/yearning
Writing character body language
WRITING PRACTICE AND PROCESS
How to get back into writing after a long break
How to deal with criticism
The pressure to create in the writing community
Advice for teen and new writers
How to work on multiple projects at once
What to do if you’re on deadline and don’t have an idea or finished draft
How to revamp and old idea to fit your current writing style
Realizing you won’t have time to write all your ideas, and what to do
What to do if you don’t have a plot
Dealing wth jealousy as a writer
Dealing with Creative Slumps and Low Motivation
More on starting a platform
Why I chose to traditionally publish
Pros and cons of different social media platforms for writers
Resources for finding literary magazines to submit to
Starting an author tube channel
How to write a short story collection
Is the concept right for a novel or short story? + How to write a character arc in a short story
Should a short story be structured using novel structures like 15 beat?
How much planning do I do for a short story?
How to outline a short story
More on outlining a short story
How to title a short story
My short story writing process + how to get started with short stories + how to edit a short story + short story tips
More tips on how to write a short story
Writing the ending (aka moment of character reflection, or moment of ‘lift’) of a short story
More on writing the end of a short story
How to get started with screenwriting
How to format a screenplay
Best pieces of writing advice I’ve ever gotten
Should you change your work for judgemental family members?
How to share your work with your family if you write about dark or mature content
How to slay an English exam composition
What is literary fiction?
Can a fantasy novel also be literary fiction?
How to lead a writing workshop
Advice for creative writing majors (in Canada and elsewhere)
A list of useful essays on craft
gracieabrams
amandla
stormborns
areudirty
origamiaround
