Perfecting your Craft

With the help of a stunning infographic and a quick quiz, learn to understand the role of themes in fiction — and to write your next novel from a thematic perspective.

Has anyone ever told you that your narrative arc was too weak? Too complex? Or not complex enough? Universal to both fiction and nonfiction, the narrative arc (also called the “story arc”) refers to the structure and shape of a story. The narrative arc is made up of the events in your story — the ... read more »

We know it when we see it, but few of us can articulate what irony really is without relying on half-remembered lyrics from the 1995 Alanis Morissette song, “Ironic.” But it’s critical for writers to understand irony, which can add depth to conflict — or, in certain cases, make conflict feel hackneyed and stale. In ... read more »

So, you want to be a travel writer? There are plenty of reality doses out there already, so we’re going to focus on the positives, and what you can do to maximize your chances of travel writing professionally. One of the first steps: you should absolutely know your markets, and what types of travel writing ... read more »

Do all novels and short stories need a dynamic character as a protagonist? Find out what goes into writing a rounded character with the help of this guide and a charming infographic.

The average author’s relationship with social media is getting more complicated by the day. On one hand, it’s an essential tool for marketing and building connections with your readers. On the other hand, it’s a common distraction from the actual business of writing. And while social media (and Twitter, especially) gets a bad rap as ... read more »

Reedsy editor and novelist Andrew Lowe highlights an excellent way to improve your writing craft without the need to read a word or skip a YouTube ad. You’ve probably already absorbed it without even knowing.