Let’s be honest, a lot of writing prompts out there feel... uninspired. “You wake up with no memory…” “Write about a rainy day…” “A mysterious letter arrives…” Okay, sure. But you deserve better. The right prompt doesn’t just fill a page, it sparks an idea you want to run with. So here are some writing… Continue reading Writing Prompts That Don’t Suck: Jumpstart Your Creativity
What I Wish I Knew Before Sharing My Writing Online
Hitting “publish” on your first story, blog, or excerpt feels like stepping into the spotlight naked. Vulnerable. Exposed. A little thrilling. A lot terrifying. Sharing your writing online is a big deal, and it’s one of the fastest ways to grow as a writer. But I won’t lie: it comes with lessons, bumps, and surprises.… Continue reading What I Wish I Knew Before Sharing My Writing Online
Theme Without Preaching: Weaving Meaning Into Your Story
You don’t need to write a “message story” to have meaning. But without theme, your story might feel hollow, like it’s just things happening without purpose. The best stories have something underneath, something that lingers. That’s theme. The trick is to weave it in without preaching or forcing it. Here’s how. 1. What Is Theme,… Continue reading Theme Without Preaching: Weaving Meaning Into Your Story
From First Draft to Second: How to Start Revising Without Fear
You did it, you finished a draft.But now comes the part no one celebrates: the messy, confusing, ego-bruising work of revision.The good news? Revising doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s not about fixing a “bad” draft — it’s about shaping a raw one. Here’s how to start revising with less fear and more purpose.1. Step… Continue reading From First Draft to Second: How to Start Revising Without Fear
Writing Conflict That Isn’t Just Fights or Drama
When writers hear “conflict,” they often imagine arguments, explosions, or big dramatic showdowns. But great conflict isn’t always loud; it’s layered, personal, and persistent. Conflict is the engine of your story, but it doesn’t need to be violent or dramatic to matter. In fact, quiet conflict often hits the hardest. 1. What Conflict Really Is… Continue reading Writing Conflict That Isn’t Just Fights or Drama
End-of-Year Reflection for Writers: Honouring the Words You Did and Didn’t Write
As the year draws to a close, writers often take stock in numbers: Word counts. Finished drafts. Published pieces.But mindful writing asks different questions. Not how much did you write — but what did writing give you this year?Releasing the Myth of the “Productive Writer”Many writers carry quiet guilt into year-end reflection: • I didn’t… Continue reading End-of-Year Reflection for Writers: Honouring the Words You Did and Didn’t Write
Endings That Land: How to Deliver a Satisfying Payoff
A good ending doesn't just wrap things up; it echoes, resonates, and stays with the reader. But if you're like most writers, the ending is often the most challenging part to get right. Why? Because it carries the weight of everything that came before it. If the beginning hooks and the middle builds, the ending… Continue reading Endings That Land: How to Deliver a Satisfying Payoff
The Middle Is a Swamp: How to Survive the Dreaded Act Two
Every writer knows the feeling. You start your story strong, with words flying and characters alive. Then you hit the middle. And suddenly, you're knee-deep in narrative mud. Welcome to the swamp. The middle of your story (often referred to as “Act Two” is where energy sags, motivation gets fuzzy, and ideas feel thin. But… Continue reading The Middle Is a Swamp: How to Survive the Dreaded Act Two
Write What You Don’t Know: The Power of Discovery in Fiction
There’s an old piece of writing advice we’ve all heard: “Write what you know.” It’s solid, truthful stories often spring from personal experience. But what if the most compelling writing isn’t rooted in what you already know, but in what you want to learn? Writing what you don’t know invites curiosity into your process. It… Continue reading Write What You Don’t Know: The Power of Discovery in Fiction
Bonus: The Lethality of Phenelzine
Note: This bonus chapter contains details about a fictional murder based on real-world medical research. The content is for a narrative purpose only. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please seek professional help. In this story, I used PHENELZINE and balsamic vinegar as the murder weapon. The inspiration came from… Continue reading Bonus: The Lethality of Phenelzine
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