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Homepage > Writing Craft
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January 18, 2021  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Author Voice, Writing Craft

Get to Know Your Author Voice

Your author voice connects your reader to your story through vocabulary, syntax, tone, and point of view that make your phrases, sentences, and paragraphs flow.


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January 11, 2021  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Narrative Pacing, Writing Craft

How to Control Narrative Pacing in Your Novel

Four elements to help you control narrative pacing in your novel — language, conflict, stakes, alternating scenes.


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December 28, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Writing Craft

How To Work Twists, Turns, and Reveals in Your Mystery

Control information for your reader. Be intentional about organizing how and when clues, information, and contradictory information appear,


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December 21, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Author Learning, Mystery writing, Writing Craft

Who’s On First In Your Story?

Tips to master your story’s beginning. Character, setting, voice, action, and the first sentence all work together to draw your reader into your story.


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woman standing in front of a wall painted with the word villain
November 9, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Writing Craft

Your Mystery’s Hidden Villain

Unlike other novels, the mystery’s villain must stay hidden until the final reveal. Here’s how to keep them secret until the end.


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woman intent on computer screen for author platform
July 27, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Author Platform, Mystery writing, Novel Writing, Writing Craft

Author, Go Public as You Write Your First Book

Give your current manuscript a head start in the book world by working on your author platform as you write.


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outstretched hand with keys
June 8, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Author Learning, Mystery writing, Writing Craft

Keys to Start Your Mystery Novel

Who, what, where, and action are keys to get your reader into the story from the start. Save narrative description and backstory for later. Now is the time to show your reader you tell a good story.


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plotlines
May 18, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Novel Writing, Subplot, Writing Craft

Master Your Plotlines

Deepen your novel, use multiple plotlines. How to develop subplots for your story.


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woman peering through shrubs
February 5, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Author Learning, Mystery writing, Writing Craft

How to Introduce Your Detective to Devoted Mystery Readers

Without an immediate connection with your sleuth, a reader is not motivated to follow them solving the puzzle in the rest of your novel.


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dropped and borken ice cream cone
January 20, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Author Learning, Mystery writing, Novel Writing, Writing Craft

First-Time Writer Mistakes to Avoid So Readers Love Your Story

How to create a great protagonist, smooth dialogue, keep readers engaged, and trim info-dump to write a novel readers love.


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Recent Posts

  • Get to Know Your Author Voice
  • How to Control Narrative Pacing in Your Novel
  • How to Choose Your Story Point of View
  • How To Work Twists, Turns, and Reveals in Your Mystery
  • Who’s On First In Your Story?

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