Writing great characters is a constant balancing act — you want each one to have certain quirks and flaws, but you don’t want them to be SO zany that they’re off-putting to readers. So how can you come up with realistic traits that humanize your characters, without falling into cliché? Luckily, this post offers a ... read more »
Part of the magic of great fiction is its ability to let you see their characters in your mind’s eye. Think about Sherlock Holmes and you might picture him smoking a pipe, or stroking his chin in thought. Or Anne Shirley from Anne of the Green Gables, who might at any moment be gesturing enthusiastically ... read more »
This week sees the launch of Bestseller, a new podcast from Reedsy that demystifies the process of writing and self-publishing a book. Over seven episodes, the show follows former Nike executive Shaz Kahng on her journey from sportswear CEO to the author of her debut novel, The Closer. Stunningly produced and grounded in storytelling, this ... read more »
Find out what all satisfying romance novels have in common with this guest post from Reedsy editor Ann Leslie Tuttle.
What are the 12 essential character types and how can you use them? Find out in this super-thorough guide!
No matter your genre, learning how to write dialogue effectively is a vital part of any writer’s career. Poor dialogue can make readers put your book down in disgust, but when it’s well executed, it can transform your characters into believable, unforgettable people. To help get your characters talking, we have put together a list ... read more »
Writing is a storytelling medium. Every sentence is an opportunity to tell a part of that story, elaborating on the plot, characters, atmosphere — whatever. This also means that every time the author writes a sentence like, “Harry opened the door,” they are missing out on a key opportunity to tell us more. What if ... read more »
Do you use single or double quote marks for dialogue? Find out here. Click To Tweet The rules of punctuating written dialogue, whether in fiction or non-fiction, are tricksy little creatures. Despite our exposure to hundreds of thousands of dialogue lines, writers aren’t always familiar with how to punctuate a scene where characters are speaking ... read more »
What are dialogue tags and how do you use them? This guide explains it all — and includes a free infographic with 150+ other words for said.
As enjoyable and fulfilling as writing can be, the truth is that it’s often a solitary endeavor. While we might romanticize the focused artist typing away while imaginary worlds and narratives swirl inside their minds — authors know the truth: writing can get lonely. And moreover, when you’re working on a one-person project, it can ... read more »
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