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Werewolf story ideas

Werewolves have been a popular fixture of horror, paranormal romance, shifter romance, and other fantasy genres. There’s an endless amount of ideas to be had by including them in your story. These werewolf story ideas are designed to get you thinking. Part-worldbuilding and part-storyline concept, the ideas below might just inspire you to write your next story, of any genre that suits you. For more writing prompts, check out my writing prompts for short stories and other fiction. What readers really want from werewolf stories Recent conversations on social media about werewolves have been intriguing. Readers don’t just want alpha/beta… Read More »Werewolf story ideas

Why authors shouldn’t read book reviews

Book reviews are everywhere. Social media, retailer websites, on the back of books… Everywhere. So why shouldn’t authors read book reviews? The majority of reviews aren’t intended for the author – there’s a reason most reviews don’t address the author directly. A review helps readers to decide on whether or not to buy a book. They also indicate whether someone enjoyed reading a book. When authors read reviews of their books, they’re opening themselves up to criticism, and rarely is it something they can work on. This can lead to all kinds of problems, both for their mental health and… Read More »Why authors shouldn’t read book reviews

#Lovember: a 30-day romance writing challenge

#Lovember2024 romance writing challenge

Welcome to the first #Lovember writing challenge! This is a romance writing challenge taking place every November where you can write your heart out. #Lovember2024 is all about love and romance: self-love, romantic love, platonic love, familial love, and more. While romance is the main genre focused on, anyone can use the #Lovember prompts to inspire a story, no matter the genre they’re writing in. There are 30 word prompts, one for each day of November, as well as 5 storyline prompts and 7 character prompts. Every prompt is optional – do as many or as few as you like.… Read More »#Lovember2024 romance writing challenge

Horror story prompts

So, you want to write about something horrible. These horror story prompts for will be right up your dark, dank alley. The horror genre is cathartic, allowing you to release strong emotions of fear, revulsion, and terror. To make yourself uncomfortable is a horror writer’s greatest goal. Causing a reader to be spooked or unnerved is even better. For more inspiration, check out my other horror writing prompts. Or try some Halloween writing prompts. 22 horror story prompts You can take just one prompt or combine any of the following for one story! Every prompt is entirely up to your… Read More »Horror story prompts

A neurodivergent guide to writing a romance novel

This year, I finally started and finished writing a romance novel. As a neurodivergent writer, this is a major accomplishment – I’ve started plenty of novels, but this is the first I’ve ever completed. Writing can be difficult for anyone, but neurodivergent writers tend to struggle even more. This is usually due to a lack of resources, support, and encouragement. To help others, I’ve chronicled my writing journey here from the planning stage up to finishing. I’ve also included some tips that I found useful. Note: I won’t be disclosing what book I wrote, whether it’s published or not, for… Read More »A neurodivergent guide to writing a romance novel

130 non-binary names for characters

As a self-confessed name nerd and non-binary person, I love finding gender-neutral names. This list contains 130 non-binary names for characters, with every letter of the alphabet having 5 unique names. When I say “non-binary names for characters”, I mean names that can be used by non-binary characters, and many of these names are used by real people who identify as non-binary. Enjoy this list, and if you’re looking for more lists and resources, I’ve added some links to the bottom of the post! List of 130 non-binary names for characters This list of names are perfect for non-binary characters,… Read More »130 non-binary names for characters

44 deep questions to ask your characters

Character development doesn’t have to be difficult. You don’t need to write a biography about every character – unless you want to! Deep questions are a great way to get to know your characters and develop them further. The 44 questions you’ll find below will help you to create, explore, and develop your characters. Ask your protagonists in your story even a couple of questions and you’ll find out more than you did when you began. How character development questions can help you If you really want to dive deep into your character’s motivations, beliefs, and experiences, asking character development… Read More »44 deep questions to ask your characters

12+ ways to support writers

Whether you’re a writer yourself or just looking for ways to support writers, it can be difficult to judge what kind of help we can give. I’ve compiled over 12 ways to support writers, covering personal support, social media support, and financial support where possible. It’s important to remember that you have your own limitations too. You don’t need to be someone’s personal cheerleader or therapist to support them. Even just interacting with social media posts or reading their books can help a writer. How to support a writer When it comes to supporting writers, there are many ways to… Read More »12+ ways to support writers

What to include in a fiction proofreading enquiry

When you’re looking for a proofreader for your novel, a proofreading enquiry is a valuable tool in determining the best fit for you. The information you put into an enquiry form helps proofreaders work out what you’re looking for and whether they can meet your needs. Other than availability and budget, enquiries can also show you what a proofreader is like to work with. Read more about how to make the best use out of an enquiry form and why they’re an important indicator of who to work with. What is a fiction proofreading enquiry? Online service businesses often have… Read More »What to include in a fiction proofreading enquiry

A fiction developmental editor’s thoughts on Dr Who and queerness

Recently, Dr Who has been making the headlines with viewers commenting on “woke” storylines and scenes. Examples include the character Rose Noble dealing with transphobic bullies and suggesting the Doctor ask the Meep (a cute but deadly alien) about their pronouns. Some viewers are uncomfortable with the first Black, queer Time Lord, played by the wonderful Ncuti Gatwa. Well, I’ve got news for them: Dr Who has always been woke. Section 28 and the 1980s I grew up in the UK with the Sylvester McCoy era, which seemed modern to me in the early 1990s. (I look back now and… Read More »A fiction developmental editor’s thoughts on Dr Who and queerness