Bookwriter RSS Blog
The Bookwriter RSS Blog will keep you up to date on new articles about writing and story structure, answers to common writing questions and other information designed to help you write your book.
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Internal conflict without external conflict
I have developed characters, their personalities, motivations, flaws, wants, needs - I know exactly what their internal conflict should be. The problem
Continue reading "Internal conflict without external conflict "
Which is worse?
Question: Which is the better plot decision: To have a character achieve their goal knowing full well that it will kill them and then having the character
Writing diversity as a white author
Hi! I'm writing a story that focuses on a mother and her three daughters as the main characters. I've always seen these characters as Caucasian mostly
Character names
Question: I used a name of a character in my book, that happens to be one of my main characters. I searched on the web and found that someone used the
child narrator in adult book?
Hi Glen, I would kindly like to ask you if it is possible to have a child narrator and main character in adult fiction? I don't want it to become a children’s
Writing Courses in the New Year
If you live in the Kingston, Ontario area, you may be interested in one of the creative writing courses being offered by St. Lawrence College in the New Year which I have been asked to teach. In 2019, the college is experimenting with a new lineup of shorter, more affordable courses on a variety of subjects, so you can pick and choose.
The link above will take you to the full catalog.
Goals
Hi, Is it possible for the main character to have a small goal in the beginning of the book but to shelf that goal until the resolution, for a goal that
World is changing
Question: I have a novel in which the world is changing in inexplicable ways and the protagonist goal is to protect his family and friends from the dangers
The Midpoint
Question: I’m currently writing a dramatic romance. Does the event that marks the midpoint have to happen to the main character herself? Can the event
Diverse Characters
Question: There is an eighteen-year-old boy who lives with his abusive mother. But he has his best friend of seven years who is Asian and his mentor and
Details
Hello, I've been writing short stories and exerts for a while now but I keep noticing the same problems in my work. I have an almost over active imagination
Prologue Or No Prologue
Hi, I have just started to write a fantasy novel, but I am in a bit of a jam. I have a rough outline of the novel, as well as the events that occur within
What character trait cliches should I avoid? And what kind of problem solving styles are there?
Question: Hi! I'm planning a story for NaNoWriMo, and I'm currently working on the character arcs for my protagonist and influence character. To make
Is the slow process of falling in love enough of a plot?
Question Hello! I’m writing a book about a rape victim and her budding relationship with her neighbor. They had a really rough first impression with him
Continue reading "Is the slow process of falling in love enough of a plot?"
Is My Novel Overly-Complex?
Question: I am writing a fantasy story based around war. I'm a fan of the Red Blood series, Harry Potter, and anything concerning dragons. While planning
Is this concept interesting / cliche and how do I start it?
Question: I've been a fan of novels and shows similar to Game of Thrones, Red Queen, and Throne of Glass. I've also enjoyed writing short stories in the
Continue reading "Is this concept interesting / cliche and how do I start it? "
Becoming more confident
Hi, I'm a little 15 year old and I love writing. I usually write stand-up poetry and I am also good enough at delivering them. But whenever I read other
How to write seasons like "Breaking bad" or "Desperate Housewives", or a soap?
Question: Can you help me define the story goal, the impact characters and other things, for a soap story like Breaking Bad? When Rhona loses her husband
Continue reading "How to write seasons like "Breaking bad" or "Desperate Housewives", or a soap?"
Skipping time
Question: I am writing about a immortal character who lives around 500 years and keeps journals of his life how far can I skip in time through out his
How to use a confession in a mystery
Question: Can you use the confession of a thief, for example, as a way to answer some questions that the reader might have? Answer: Confessions, like
NA/YA Genre Rules
Question: I have a hard time understanding the rules of NA and YA genres. For example, I’m writing a fantasy novel with the characters in their 20s, let’s
Fantasy with no supernatural elements?
Hi! I‘ve been using your site since quite some time now but even with all the great information (thank you so much for this!) I’m still not sure what genre
Character Revealing
Question: Does the Resolution have to be that the detective finds the killer? Or can the reader find out who the killer is by the 4th driver so that the
Murder Mysteries
Question: Does the main character(s) in a murder mystery, more specifically the narrator, need to be a detective? Can it be someone who is in a completely
HOW to start a book
Question: I have this genius idea to write a book about the topic that, in the book, breaks our country and starts the 2nd Civil War: LGBTQ+ Rights. I
How to Write a Book Now Gets a New Look
After a decade, the site was looking a little old fashioned. So I've been working on a giving it a fresher look.
What do you think?
Fall Writing Course
Glen will be teaching a Creative Writing course Tuesday evenings this fall at St. Lawrence College, Kingston, Ontario. Something to consider if you live in the area.
Creating a chronological order?
Question So I'm currently in the planning stage of writing my story. I have many components as its base of a bucket list (and so each wish is a different
Outstanding Opportunity for Aspiring Authors
Jerry Jenkins, author of 21 New York Times bestsellers is taking a limited number of students in his online writing course, Your Novel Blueprint. The comprehensive program can take you from the idea stage to a finished manuscript in a matter of months. Free introductory workshop on July 23!
Continue reading "Outstanding Opportunity for Aspiring Authors"
Margaret Atwood's Creative Writing Course
Margaret Atwood is one of the most influential literary voices of our generation. Now you can learn her methods in her first-ever online class. Let the author of "The Handmaid’s Tale" show you how to craft compelling stories—from historical to speculative fiction—that remain timeless and relevant. Explore Margaret’s creative process for developing ideas into novels with strong structures and nuanced characters.
Continue reading "Margaret Atwood's Creative Writing Course"
Tragedy
Hello, Glen, I love your site and resources. My question is, does a tragedy always have to end with the death of the main character and/or protagonist?
Online Creative Writing Courses
Take online creative writing courses from high profile professional and famous writers in a variety of genres.
Dual Biography
Hello. Has anyone written a dual biography of Charles Dickens and Guiseppe Verdi? Both were born at roughly the same time, both wrote with a profound
Where to go after starting in on your first couple of books
Question: I have started roughly fourteen books since I was twelve years old and i have never went to publishers or proofreaders to look at my work because
Continue reading "Where to go after starting in on your first couple of books"
Mystery Novel Planning
Hello, Glen, I thank you for answering my previous question about Mystery Novel Resolution. I've purchased your novel planning workbook and written four
Introducing the Villan Late
Question: A large part of the plot of my novel involves the main character trying to find out who the villain of the story is. Although the villain is
Mixing Character Archetypes
Hello! I'm reading Dramatica and trying to get the hang of characters. Specifically, I'm wondering whether it's possible for the antagonist to also be
Guardian or Contagonist?
Question: If I understand correctly, the guardian and contagonist help the protagonist achieve his goal and tempt him away from it respectively. But what
Too little consistency with the characters?
Hello First of all, thank you very much for all the useful information and help you’re providing, your website has already helped me a lot. My question
Continue reading "Too little consistency with the characters?"
Finish or not to finish, that is the question.
Question: I know its a crazy question but, I've got a summary for a storyline written already. Should I just create it now and add filler later, or add
Continue reading "Finish or not to finish, that is the question."
Identifying my book as a memoir versus a novel.
Question: Taken directly from my journals detailing true misadventures involving drug-addicted prostitutes over a two year period, though therefore properly
Continue reading "Identifying my book as a memoir versus a novel."
Just a Comment and not a question
I've written a novel (going by notes as far back as High School, over 40 years ago), and have pieced everything together and fleshed it out to my satisfaction.
What are the limits of using IPs in a novel?
Question: Ready Player One references tons of intellectual properties, several of which are integral to the plot. Do you know if the publisher had to clear
Continue reading "What are the limits of using IPs in a novel?"
Online Creative Writing Courses
How would you like to learn the art of creative writing from some of the highest selling and most famous writers in the business--including such names as James Patterson and R.L. Stine? And get personal attention from the comfort of your own home? Take a look at this link to find out how.
Mystery Novel Resolution
Hello, Glen, First of all, thank you for reading my question and providing your valuable suggestions. I wrote around fifty thousand words of my mystery
Betrayal
Question: This site is exactly what I needed to actually pull out those someday ideas off the shelf, but I can't seem to find anything on character betrayals.
Flashback as hook?
Question: I am wanting to start my novel with the prologue time jumping following the main characters with their experience with the character who dies
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Recent Postings
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Internal conflict without external conflict
Jan 27, 19 08:46 PM
I have developed characters, their personalities, motivations, flaws, wants, needs - I know exactly what their internal conflict should be. The problem
-
Which is worse?
Jan 05, 19 07:28 PM
Question: Which is the better plot decision: To have a character achieve their goal knowing full well that it will kill them and then having the character
"I've read more than fifty books on writing, writing novels, etc., but your website has the most useful and practical guidance. Now that I understand how a novel is structured, I will rewrite mine, confident that it will be a more interesting novel." - Lloyd Edwards
"Thanks to your "Create a Plot Outline in 8 Easy Steps," I was able to take a story that I simply just fooled around with and went willy nilly all over, into a clearly defined, intriguing battle where two characters fight to keep their relationship intact, and try to find a balance in control of themselves and their lives. Thanks to you, I'm not ashamed of the poor organization of my writing." - Nommanic Ragus
"I am so glad I found your site. It has helped me in so many ways, and has given me more confidence about myself and my work. Thank you for making this valuable resource, for me and my fellow writers. Perhaps you'll hear about me someday...I'll owe it to you." - Ruth, Milton, U.S.A.
"I never knew what to do with all the characters in my head, but since discovering Dramatica I am writing again in my spare time. Thank you for making this available. Yes, it is a bit complex, and it does take time, but I love it because it works." - Colin Shoeman
"I came across your website by chance. It is a plethora of
knowledge, written in a simplistic way to help aspiring writers. I
truly appreciate all of the information you have provided to help me
successfully (relative term) write my novel. Thank you very much!" - Leo T. Rollins
"I
can honestly say that this is the first website that is really helpful.
You manage to answer complex questions in relatively short articles and
with really intelligent answers. Thank you for taking the time to write
these articles and sharing them so generously." - Chrystelle Nash
"...had no idea that a simple click would give me such a wealth of valuable information. The site not only offered extremely clear and helpful instructions but was a very enjoyable read as well. The education from your wonderful site has made me a better writer and your words have inspired me to get back to work on my novel. I wish to give you a heartfelt thanks for How to Write a Book Now, sir." -- Mike Chiero
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