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Writing advice

Writing Advice Database

Here is a compendium of the top writing advice posts on the blog. Of course, the best source is my guide How to Write a Novel: 47 Rules for Writing a Stupendously Awesome Novel You Will Love Forever.

Need personalized advice?
Reach out for editing or book a consultation!

Here are some categories you can jump to:

  • The basics
  • Getting started
  • Structure and plotting
  • Characters
  • Craft
  • Editing and revisions
  • Genres
  • Staying sane during the writing process
  • How to be productive

The basics

  • How to write a novel
  • How to write a nonfiction book proposal
  • How to format your manuscript
  • All about word counts

Getting started

  • How to choose an idea for a novel
  • Everything you need to know about writing a series
  • What is an author platform?
  • How to get started writing a novel
  • How to find a writing style that works for you
  • Execution is more important than originality
  • Why you shouldn’t follow trends
  • How to turn a blog into a book
  • Should you write a sequel?
  • Five openings to avoid in novels
  • How to choose a title

Structure and plotting

  • The 8 essential elements of a story
  • How to outline a novel
  • Choose your novel’s perspective
  • Do you have a plot?
  • My plot framework
  • How to make your novel unputdownable
  • Don’t start a scene without these four essential elements
  • Is your premise an archetype or a cliche?
  • Everything you need to know about inciting incidents
  • Give your protagonist a mini-quest before the main plot kicks off
  • How to organize a chapter
  • How to craft a good climax
  • How to raise the stakes
  • How to crystalize the stakes
  • Put your dramatic moments on the page
  • How to craft a mystery in a novel
  • Weave exposition naturally into the story
  • Does your novel have enough conflict?
  • Don’t release the tension
  • You gotta tell the story
  • You Tell Me responses: What are your favorite books on writing?

Characters

  • Do you (and your readers) know what your characters want?
  • What is a character arc?
  • Is your protagonist sufficiently sympathetic?
  • Why protagonists need to be active
  • How to write a character who’s adrift (e.g. depressed, grief-stricken, aimless)
  • Shy characters don’t have to be passive
  • How to use hopes and dreams to make a character come alive
  • 7 reasons your characters feel flat
  • 9 ways to spice up characters
  • How to craft a dynamic relationship between characters
  • 6 ways to build intimacy between characters
  • How to spice up relationships in novels
  • A list of character strengths and weaknesses
  • Your characters have to have the power to make a choice for that choice to resonate
  • How to create a great villain
  • The power of competing desires in a story
  • Character and plot are inseparable
  • Make characters interesting through contradiction
  • Listen to your characters, but don’t let them run away

Craft

  • What is the narrative voice?
  • How to write clear physical description
  • Third person omniscient vs. limited vs. head jumping
  • Avoid these common writing mistakes
  • Avoid aimless stage direction
  • Show characters getting from Point A to Point B
  • Don’t over-explain “default” objects and gestures
  • The limits of verisimilitude
  • What is pacing?
  • What is voice? How do you craft a great voice?
  • How to write good dialogue
  • Everything authors need to know about dialogue tags
  • Is your dialogue stilted?
  • How to show a character reacting to a dramatic moment
  • Don’t fear repeating pronouns
  • Avoid these generic reactions
  • Describe characters and settings when they’re first introduced
  • Do you suffer from one of these writing maladies?
  • Try this trick when your novel is stuck
  • Is there such a thing as being too controversial?
  • What makes a great setting
  • Tips for non-linear narratives
  • Advice for young writers
  • Avoid micro-flashbacks
  • If it’s not on the page, your reader doesn’t know it
  • 5 tips for writing for children
  • How to work with a co-writer
  • How to create a Series Bible
  • Five writing tips I learned from Harry Potter
  • The importance of complexity, as demonstrated by The Wire
  • What show don’t tell means
  • All about prologues
  • You Tell Me responses: What is the best writing advice you’ve received?
  • You Tell Me responses: What is the worst writing advice you’ve received?

Editing and revisions

  • How to edit a book
  • How to diagnose big picture problems in your novel
  • Editing as you go
  • Comprehensive revision checklist
  • Can you see what is and isn’t on the page?
  • Clear out the clutter around your verbs
  • When editing, start with the problems before jumping to solutions
  • How to know what to cut from a novel
  • How to find and work with a freelance book editor
  • How to deal with revision fatigue
  • How to incorporate feedback when you receive a manuscript critique/editorial letter
  • You Tell Me responses: When do you follow/ignore advice about your writing?
  • You Tell me responses: How do you revise?
  • You Tell me responses: How do you know when your novel is finished?

Genres

  • Why it’s important to know your genre
  • What makes literary fiction literary?
  • The difference between children’s and adult fiction
  • How to write a picture book
  • Commercial fiction isn’t quite a genre
  • The difference between mysteries, suspense, and thrillers
  • Sports novels need to have something more.
  • When in doubt, go with the section of a bookstore your book would be categorized in

Staying sane during the writing process

  • The publishing process in GIF form
  • 10 Commandments for the happy writer
  • Your writing matters
  • Don’t ever ask somebody whether you should keep writing
  • The solution to every writing problem that has ever existed
  • You don’t have to write every day
  • How to get over writer’s block
  • Writing and loneliness
  • What if it feels like everything has already been written?
  • Don’t rush
  • When should you give up?
  • The perils of overconfidence
  • It’s not you, it’s the odds
  • Living on the edge of confidence and self-doubt
  • Dealing with the new book jitters
  • Dealing with negativity
  • Dealing with frustration
  • On distractions
  • There is no such thing as an overnight success story
  • You Tell Me responses: How do you handle rejections?
  • You Tell Me responses: How do you deal with writer burnout?
  • You Tell Me responses: How do you deal with the “Am I Crazies?”

How to be creatively productive

  • How to live creatively
  • How to be a productive writer
  • How to set meaningful goals
  • Get in tune with your writing goals
  • How to regain your concentration
  • Writing a book is a time game
  • Five ways to stay motivated while writing a novel
  • How to return to writing after a long break
  • How to keep writing when the s*** hits the fan
  • Turn off your phone notifications. All of them.
  • Increase your productivity and happiness with extreme calendaring

Need help with your book? I’m available for manuscript edits, query critiques, and coaching!

For my best advice, check out my online classes (NEW!), my guide to writing a novel and my guide to publishing a book.

And if you like this post: subscribe to my newsletter!

Art: The King’s library at Buckingham House by James Stephanoff

Reader Interactions

Comments

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    July 9, 2020 at 10:13 pm

    Hi Nathan,
    I am enjoying your resource.
    Could you recommend a resource on how to research effectively?
    I am writing a MG historical fantasy.
    Thank you.
    GIna

    Reply
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About Nathan

Hi, I’m Nathan. I’m the author of How to Write a Novel and the Jacob Wonderbar series, which was published by Penguin. I used to be a literary agent at Curtis Brown Ltd. and I’m dedicated to helping authors achieve their dreams. Let me help you with your book!

My blog has everything you need to know to write, edit, and publish a book. Can’t find what you need or want personalized help? Reach out.

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How to Write A Novel
Cover of How to Publish a Book by Nathan Bransford
Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapo
Jacob Wonderbar for President of the Universe
Jacob Wonderbar and the Interstellar Time Warp

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