Writing Tips Posts

How to Self-Edit Your Short Story: A 7-Point Checklist Before Submitting
WRITING TIPS
How to Self-Edit Your Short Story: A 7-Point Checklist Before Submitting

A practical seven-step editing routine for short stories, covering structure, pacing, dialogue, grammar and continuity, so your draft reaches an...

12 Common Mistakes in First Drafts (and How to Fix Them)
WRITING TIPS
12 Common Mistakes in First Drafts (and How to Fix Them)

Twelve recurring first-draft problems, from flat characters to rushed endings, with practical fixes you can apply during your next revision pass.

Plot vs. Story vs. Narrative: What's the Difference?
WRITING TIPS
Plot vs. Story vs. Narrative: What's the Difference?

Plot, story and narrative are often used interchangeably, yet they describe different things. Here is how to tell them apart, with examples from...

How to Outline a Short Story in One Hour: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
WRITING TIPS
How to Outline a Short Story in One Hour: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

A practical, hour-by-hour method for turning a vague story idea into a workable short story outline, with prompts, five key turning points and a...