writing

Unlock Your Business’s Potential: The Power of Publishing Your First Book

Have you ever considered writing a book but felt overwhelmed by the idea? As a business owner, you already possess a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be shared with a broader audience. Publishing a book is not just about telling your story or sharing your expertise; it’s a powerful tool that can elevate your business to new heights. Here’s why you should take the plunge and how you can make the process smoother. … Read more

The Problem with “It Was” Sentences

One of the easiest ways to weaken a sentence is to begin it with “It was.” Writers use this structure constantly in early drafts because it feels natural while telling a story. Unfortunately, sentences that begin with “It was” often delay the real subject of the sentence and drain energy from the prose. Instead of presenting a clear image or action, the sentence introduces a vague placeholder. Consider the difference. It was strange for Pinocchio … Read more

When Your Supporting Character Starts Stealing the Show: How POV Drift Weakens Your Protagonist (and How to Stop It)

There’s a quiet problem I see in developing manuscripts all the time. It doesn’t show up in grammar. It doesn’t show up in plot summaries. It doesn’t even show up in outlines. It shows up on the page. Your supporting character is stealing the story. You didn’t mean for it to happen. You still believe your protagonist is the main character. But somewhere along the way, emotional gravity shifted. And now the wrong character owns … Read more

Why Writing for 8–10 Year Old Readers Is Not the Same as Writing for Adults

One of the biggest misunderstandings new writers have is assuming that children read and process stories the same way adults do—just with simpler words. They don’t. Writing for younger readers requires different structural decisions, not just lighter language. How Younger Readers Experience Stories Readers aged 8–10: They are still developing the ability to: This is not a limitation—it’s a developmental reality. Why Adult Techniques Don’t Translate Techniques that work in adult fiction often fail for … Read more

Why Stories Need One Protagonist (and Why Supporting Characters Should Stay Supporting)

One of the most common structural mistakes new writers make is confusing importance with point of view. Just because a character plays a significant role in the story does not mean they should carry POV. In fact, giving POV to too many characters—especially in books for younger readers—often weakens the story instead of strengthening it. At the heart of this issue is a misunderstanding of what a protagonist actually is. What a Protagonist Does A … Read more

How to Fix POV: Why Omniscient Openings Break Your Story (and How to Fix Them)

One of the most common point-of-view mistakes in fiction happens right at the beginning of a chapter. Writers often slip into third person omniscient without realizing it, especially when trying to introduce characters quickly or establish mood. The result is usually subtle—but damaging. Readers feel distance instead of immersion, confusion instead of clarity, and a sense that the story is being summarized rather than experienced. Let’s look at why this happens and how to fix … Read more

Choosing Point of View Characters: Why Fewer POVs Make a Stronger Story

One of the most common mistakes new fiction writers make isn’t sentence-level craft or weak dialogue—it’s choosing too many point-of-view characters. Adding POVs often feels like depth. In reality, it usually creates confusion, weakens the protagonist, and fractures the story’s emotional core. Choosing POV characters is not about fairness or variety; it’s about story leadership. Let’s talk about how to choose POV characters intentionally—and why restraint matters. POV Is Narrative Power When you give a … Read more

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your First Business Book

Are you an expert in your field, eager to share your knowledge and insights with a wider audience? Have you always dreamt of writing a business book but didn’t know where to start? Look no further! This comprehensive step-by-step guide will provide you with the roadmap you need to transform your expertise into print. From determining your book’s premise and outlining its structure to navigating the complexities of publishing and promotion, this guide covers every essential aspect … Read more

The “Would” Problem: When Conditional Verbs Weaken Storytelling

One small word can quietly drain energy from a memoir: would. Writers of fiction and nonfiction often use would when describing past experiences, but the word frequently creates distance between the reader and the action. Instead of stating what happened, the sentence shifts into a conditional or habitual structure that weakens the verb. Consider this example: Pinocchio would lie whenever he was afraid. This sentence summarizes behavior rather than showing it. Now compare it to … Read more

Mastering Research Techniques: Effective Methods for Gathering Accurate Information and Sources

In the world of nonfiction writing, thorough research is the cornerstone of credibility and depth. Whether you’re writing a biography, a historical account, or a business book, mastering research techniques is essential. Here we will explore effective methods for gathering accurate information and sources, including the use of archives, libraries, and digital resources to enrich your nonfiction work. Understanding the Importance of Research Before diving into specific techniques, it’s important to understand why meticulous research … Read more

The Problem with “Seemed” Sentences

Words like seemed, appeared, and phrases such as seemed like often weaken a sentence by introducing uncertainty where the writer could state the idea directly. These words act as filters between the reader and the moment being described. Instead of presenting the experience clearly, the sentence suggests that the narrator is interpreting or guessing. Consider this example from the world of Pinocchio: It seemed like Geppetto was disappointed. Now compare it to a more direct … Read more

Say What It Is, Not What It Isn’t

One subtle habit that weakens prose is describing something by what it isn’t rather than stating what it is. Writers often do this without realizing it. Sentences slip into constructions using not, didn’t, wasn’t, or similar negatives. While these sentences may technically communicate the idea, they force the reader to mentally process the opposite of what the writer actually means. Clear writing moves forward. Negative constructions make the reader take a detour. Consider the difference: … Read more

Breaking the Repetition Trap: When Every Sentence Starts the Same

Memoir and personal nonfiction naturally rely on first-person narration, but that doesn’t mean every sentence should begin with “I.” One of the most common structural problems in early drafts is the repeated use of sentence openings like I didn’t, I remember, or I felt. When this pattern appears several times in a row, the prose becomes predictable and the emotional impact weakens. Readers don’t consciously analyze sentence structure, but their brains quickly recognize repetition. When … Read more

The Challenges of Writing a Book About Your Business

Writing a book for your business can be a rewarding and beneficial endeavor, but it also comes with its own unique set of challenges. From determining the purpose and audience of the book to finding the time and resources to write it, there are many obstacles that business owners and entrepreneurs may face when embarking on this journey. One of the main challenges of writing a book for your business is clearly defining the purpose … Read more

The Problem with Wordy Clauses

Many early drafts contain sentences weighed down by wordy clauses—phrases that add length without adding meaning. These clauses often appear in forms like: Writers use these constructions when they are explaining a thought instead of stating it directly. The result is a sentence that circles around the idea rather than delivering it clearly. Consider this example from the world of Pinocchio: Now compare it to a cleaner version: Pinocchio realized that lying always made his … Read more

Stop Filtering Your POV: Trust the Scene to Speak for Itself

Once a point of view is established, you don’t need to keep reminding the reader who is seeing, noticing, or realizing things. Yet many writers do exactly that—over and over—by inserting the viewpoint character between the reader and the scene. This is called POV filtering, and while it’s a common habit, it weakens immersion, slows pacing, and creates unnecessary distance between the reader and the story. Let’s fix it. What POV Filtering Looks Like POV … Read more

The Problem with Passive Voice

Passive voice occurs when a sentence hides or removes the person or thing performing the action. Instead of showing who is responsible, the sentence focuses on the result of the action. This structure is not always wrong, but it often creates sentences where the subject becomes unclear and the prose loses energy. Consider this example from the world of Hansel and Gretel: Hansel and Gretel were led into the forest. The sentence tells us what … Read more

3 Simple Tips for More Productive Writing Time

Writers don’t always have the luxury of endless hours to chase words. Life intrudes—kids, jobs, laundry, that Netflix show that just dropped. The good news? You don’t need long stretches of uninterrupted time to make progress on your manuscript. You need focused time. Here are three tips to help you get there. 1. Protect Your Writing Window Schedule your writing time like an appointment. If you tell yourself “I’ll write when I get a chance,” … Read more

Continue Shopping →
Item added to cart.
0 items - $0.00
Checkout