Author Archives: secretwriters

How to Edit When You’re Not an Editor

By: Mariah Prouse I am not an editor. Yet, I cannot deny that I edit and revise my novels to the best of my ability. So, I guess I am just in denial. Anyone else?  But editing is a part of the process that leads towards a completed novel. After all, the first draft isContinue reading “How to Edit When You’re Not an Editor”

I struggle with finishing first drafts. What can I do about it?

By: Lindsay Fortin I love to write, but I have a difficult time finishing first drafts. Oftentimes I get caught up in the prose, the planning, the details… One time I spent a year and a half on a project and only got to the 22,000 word mark. That’s fine, by the way, if that’sContinue reading “I struggle with finishing first drafts. What can I do about it?”

Improving Your Prose

7 Tips to Help You Gain Mastery Over Words By: Lindsay Fortin Prose is one of my favourite parts of writing. I love finding just the right words and weaving together a tapestry that makes up a larger story. I love the different story elements and putting together plot and character as well, but IContinue reading “Improving Your Prose”

Weaving Myths and Legends into Your Writing

Advice to help you embed myths and legends in storytelling.

Make Best Friends Out of Your Characters

Tips to help you create dynamic three-dimensional characters that feel real to your readers. By Megan Amato A story is nothing without its characters. Even in plot driven novels, readers can feel something lacking when a character isn’t properly developed or fleshed out. Beautiful prose, complex plot and magical world building withstanding, it’s the charactersContinue reading “Make Best Friends Out of Your Characters”

How to Write Characters With Trauma: Nightmares, Flashbacks, and Triggers

By Lindsay Fortin CW: Fire  Trauma is one of those things that appears often in stories. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where a character doesn’t experience trauma, and it’s usually part of a character’s arc. You have to be mean to your characters in order for them to grow. It wouldn’t beContinue reading “How to Write Characters With Trauma: Nightmares, Flashbacks, and Triggers”

How to Create Vivid Fantasy Worlds

By Sheila Arellano We’ve all experienced that sudden spark of creativity, that moment when we see our magical worlds clearly in our heads and we rush to our computer to write. Being a fantasy writer is fun and exciting because we have complete freedom over the worlds we create. The only limit is our imagination!Continue reading “How to Create Vivid Fantasy Worlds”

Balancing Writing With Everyday Life

By Mariah Prouse Alright, so let’s play a game. Give yourself a point for each of the things you have to deal with in your everyday life from the list below:  1- Job: full or part time 2- School: full or part time 3- Kid(s) and/or Pet(s) 4- Chores: Errands, cooking, laundry…do I need toContinue reading “Balancing Writing With Everyday Life”