Perfecting your Craft

Struggling to master the art of writing? Reedsy shares top tips from industry giants on perfecting your craft. Read to find actionable advice on plot, character, storytelling and more!

Writing 101: How to Create Suspense in 5 Exciting Steps

Sep 26, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Every good novel needs a little suspense. In this guide, you'll learn all about literary suspense, from its many varieties to how you can create it in your writing! Read more →


How to Write a Compelling Character Arc

Sep 21, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Learn how to plot a believable character arc — whether your character triumphs over evil or succumbs to it — using examples like Bilbo and Walter White! Read more →


Protagonist vs. Antagonist: A Must-Know Literary Pair, Defined

Sep 17, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Learn how to kick your story's primary conflict up a notch through the age-old narrative rivalry of the protagonist and antagonist. Read more →


About the Author Examples (That You'll Actually Want to Read)

Sep 14, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

For any writer wondering the right way to talk about themselves, here are 13 About the Author examples you'll want to skip to the end of the book to read. Read more →


14 Popular Fantasy Tropes — And How to Make Them Feel New Again

Sep 03, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

If you want to deliver what fantasy readers want from a book (without descending into cliches) check out this list of fantasy tropes. Read more →


Worldbuilding: Create Brave New Worlds [+Template]

Aug 30, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Follow our worldbuilding guide and free template, and learn the best way to create a convincing and believable universe. Read more →


How to Write a Fight Scene

Aug 29, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Do your fights read like filler? Find out how to craft a captivating fight scene that'll leave your reader feeling positively pummeled. Read more →


Character Motivation: How to Write Believable Characters

Aug 17, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Learn to get under the skin of your protagonists and antagonists and discover the character motivation that drives their every decision. Read more →


How To Come Up With A Character Name: an Author's Guide

Aug 16, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

What's in a name and why does it matter? We answer this once and for all with 12 steps to help you figure out how to come up with a character name. Read more →


What is an Unreliable Narrator: Definition and Examples

Aug 15, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Find out what it means to have an unreliable narrator — and discover some of the top examples from books and pop culture. Read more →


12 Character Archetypes Every Writer Must Know

Aug 08, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Discover the history and logic behind the 12 common character archetypes — and how you can harness their power to write better characters. Read more →


What Is a Flat Character? Definition, Examples & Helpful Tips

Aug 03, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Find out whether your protagonist is a flat character or a round character. Includes a definitive flat character definition and 8 examples to help. Read more →


What is a Plot Point?

Jul 26, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

What is a plot point and how does being able to identify them help authors? In this guide, we apply a 7-point structure to The Handmaid's Tale. Read more →


20+ Writing Strategies (That Helped Bestselling Authors Finish Their Books)

Jul 13, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Struggling to write your book? Here are 20+ proven writing strategies from famous authors to help get you from the first draft to the last draft. Read more →


10 Writer's Block Memes to Keep Your Book Afloat

Jul 13, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

You're not the only one! Check out the best writer's block memes to see how many writers understand and laugh at the writer's block struggle. Read more →


6 Things Almost All Writers Get Wrong When Self-Editing

Jun 28, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Lisa Lepki of ProWritingAid explains some of the most common mistakes authors make when revising and editing their own writing. Read more →


How to Title a Book: What Do Good Book Titles Have In Common?

Jun 27, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft, Book Marketing

In this post, learn how to title a book that will help you sell more copies. We'll also look at elements shared by good book titles. Read more →


What is Plot? An Author's Guide to Storytelling

Jun 15, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

What is plot? This guide includes a complete definition of plot, a plot diagram template, and tips from professional editors on how to plot a book. Read more →


How to Outline a Story: 7 Steps to Creating Your Book Outline

Jun 05, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Learn how to create a story outline that will ensure that you finish your draft without running into the dreaded writer's block. Read more →


What is a Dénouement? A Story’s Final Beat (+ Examples)

Jun 01, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

What is a dénouement, and why do authors write them? Read on for answers and examples of amazing dénouements. Read more →


How to Create a Character Profile [with Free Template]

May 31, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Download this character profile worksheet and max out your characters with over 150 probing questions. Read more →


What is Chekhov’s Gun? Definitions, Tips and Examples

May 28, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Discover the meaning behind Chekhov's Gun — and learn why it's one of storytelling's most powerful rules. Read more →


How Writing about Death Saved my Life

May 22, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Editor and author Christopher Noël talks about how writing about death helped him rebuild his life. Read more →


What It Takes to Write a Book that Becomes a Movie

May 04, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

The book editor of 'A Futile and Stupid Gesture' reveals her top 5 tips for writing a book that Hollywood will want to adapt into a film. Read more →


How to Start a Story: 11 Tips From Top Editors

Apr 19, 2018 – Perfecting your Craft

Are you struggling to write your opening chapter? 11 professional editors share their top tips on how to start a story that gets readers' attentions. Read more →


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