Storytelling: The Elements of Plot – by Melissa Donovan… Good storytelling includes many elements that a writer must consider. Plot and character are foremost among these elements, and for literary writers, language is high on the list as well. Some writers start with nothing more than a few key characters and let the plot develop by […]
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What Are Beta Readers, and Should You Use Them? – by Melissa Donovan… on Writing Forward: By the time you’ve finished your manuscript and are ready to show it to agents and editors — or self-publish and put it in front of readers — you have almost certainly lost the ability to view your own work […]
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How to Break Through a Fiction Writing Block – by Melissa Donovan… Read more …
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What is Free-Verse Poetry? – by Melissa Donovan… on Writing Forward: Most of my favorite poems are written in free verse, which means they do not fall under the constraints of form poetry. Not that I have anything against form poetry — it’s a lovely tradition, and I like reading and writing it — but not […]
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Writing Tips: Kill Your Darlings – by Melissa Donovan… on Writing Forward: Kill your darlings. It’s a common piece of writing advice, but what does it mean? I once thought that “kill your darlings” was strictly for storytellers removing unnecessary or problematic characters. But this piece of wisdom has broader applications. It can be used by […]
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Fiction Writing Prompts for the Young Adult (YA) Genre – by Melissa Donovan… on Writing Forward: Young adult literature is one of the most exciting genres in fiction. Young people are bright, bold, and open-minded. More importantly, they’re going to shape the future. What they read matters. ——— Today’s fiction writing prompts are designed for writing […]
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10 Reasons Storytellers Should Dabble in Poetry – by Melissa Donovan… on Writing Forward: There was a time when poetry enjoyed mainstream popularity. People who read poetry weren’t unusual or lurking in some counterculture, hipster coffee house. Ordinary folks read poems, enjoyed poetry, and discussed poetic works. These days, fiction takes center stage in the […]
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Poetry is Felt Rather Than Seen – by Melissa Donovan… What is Art? What is Poetry? For centuries, people have been asking what is art? Is art a question? An answer? An expression? A statement? Maybe it’s sheer entertainment. It’s a question we must answer for ourselves, especially artists and writers. Read more …
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Writing Tips: Be Yourself – by Melissa Donovan… Posted on August 7, 2021 by Chris The Story Reading Ape on Writing Forward: As writers, we strive to connect with a reading audience. […] Read more …
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Writing Resources: No Plot? No Problem! – by Melissa Donovan… by Melissa Donovan | Jul 22, 2021 | Chris Baty: No Plot? No Problem! This post contains affiliate links that earn commissions from qualifying purchases. There are a million ways to approach writing a novel. You can outline your plot. You can create a series of […]
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