Welcome to Fiction Writing Tips. Dedicated to the classic books on fiction writing. Learn to write short stories, novels, and plays by studying the classic how-to books. I believe fiction writing is a Craft. In the hands of a writer who has mastered the Craft, it can become more than that. It can become Art. Art = Talent + Craft But the bedrock is Craft. There are fundamental techniques to be studied, unfamiliar tools to be mastered, tricks of the trade to be learned. And it all takes time.
Hey Fellow Writers!
Do you want to write a bestselling fantasy novel?
Then you won’t want to miss what ProWritingAid has in store for you this April!
Our friends at ProWritingAid are excited to announce the return of Fantasy Writers’ Week, five days jam-packed with events specifically designed for Fantasy writers.
Best part?
You can register for FREE!
Monday-Thursday’s events are entirely FREE for all to attend, with Friday being Premium Day for Premium and Premium Pro subscribers of ProWritingAid.
During Fantasy Writers’ Week, you’ll attend live sessions with bestselling and award-winning authors including Jenna Moreci, Z.S. Diamanti, and Marvellous Michael Anson, as well as software demos, craft and editing workshops, and networking events to help you create spell-binding fantasy writing!
Fantasy Writers’ Week kicks off on April 22nd and runs until April 26th. If you can't make it live, don't worry! The sessions will be available via replay, so you can sign up anyway and watch the sessions at your convenience.
You can learn more, see all the session names, and register for this free event here: Fantasy Writers' Week
We hope you check it out, and look forward to seeing you there!!!
April 22 (10:00 AM EDT / 3:00 PM UK)
Presented by Sue Campbell
One of the toughest, but most necessary, parts of being an author is tackling your own marketing. Too often, writers rely on tactics without having an underlying strategy and flail around like they've just landed in another realm.
Book marketing and mindset coach Sue Campbell of Pages & Platforms will help you understand the foundation of every good book marketing plan. Sue works with award winning and best selling authors, traditionally published and self-published, to help them build an engaged audience, spread their message and sell more books.
Why marketing your book using a slapdash playbook of tactics from the internet is likely to fail
Your number one book marketing goal
The foundational 4-part book marketing strategy that will actually grow your audience of fantasy readers
April 22 (12:00 PM EDT / 5:00 PM UK)
Presented by Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez of Pages & Platforms
In this webinar, you will learn how to build, evaluate, and improve your fantasy story using four tools: marketing categories, Story Types, essential story elements, and worldbuilding. By the end of our time together you‘ll be able to evoke empathy for your characters, create tension and excitement, provide emotional satisfaction for your intended reader, convey a thoughtful takeaway, and meet reader expectations for the type of story you’re telling.
April 22 (2:00 PM EDT / 7:00 PM UK)
Presented by Dani Abernathy
Fantasy has a superpower that other genres don’t, and it’s worldbuilding. In fantastic worlds, readers encounter difficult topics in ways that don’t feel threatening. A purposeful world, challenges difficult ideas like racism and transphobia without raising the defensiveness that comes through realistic stories and straightforward conversations. In this workshop, you’ll discover how your worldbuilding is tied to you, gain valuable tools for creating your world, and find the courage to use your novel to make the world a better place, one reader at a time.
April 22 (4:00 PM EDT / 9:00 PM UK)
Presented by Kristina Stanley
Are you dreaming of publishing your fantasy novel? A story edit will help you turn your draft into a novel readers love. Kristina Stanley, CEO of Fictionary, will take you through a 9-step process to self-edit your novel. You’ll get a peek inside the Fictionary software and see an edit in progress. You’ll leave this session with actionable advice you can immediately apply to your book. She’ll also leave you with 3 tips on how to turn your fantasy novel into a series.
April 22 (6:00 PM EDT / 11:00 PM UK)
Presented by Kyle Cisco
This presentation gives a deep dive into Worldbuilding by using events throughout history and examples of how political groups and nations deal with one another to build a more realistic fantasy world. It also provides a look into utilizing different cultural examples to populate those worlds with a diverse set of people to reflect the diverse world we live in. By using these real-world references to flesh out the details, you can make your worlds more tangible and believable.
Writing Compelling Fantasy Antagonists: The Art of Creating Multi-Dimensional Villains
April 23 (10:00 AM EDT / 3:00 PM UK)
Presented by Dana Pittman
Do you want your fantasy story to resonate with readers long after they've turned the last page? Join us for "Writing Compelling Fantasy Antagonists," where we'll delve into the art of crafting villains that are more than just obstacles for your heroes. Discover how to create nuanced, multi-dimensional antagonists that challenge your protagonists, drive your plot, and add depth to your fantasy world. Join us and learn the secrets to making your villains memorable and your story unforgettable.
April 23 (12:00 PM EDT / 5:00 PM UK)
Presented by Janet Forbes & Dimitris Havlidis of World Anvil
More information coming soon.
April 23 (2:00 PM EDT / 7:00 PM UK)
Presented by Kerry Savage
Writing a book is a massive, complex undertaking. It is easy to get bogged down in the many different tasks and elements and miss something or get frustrated. Applying project management techniques can help writers get and stay organized, set and meet writing goals, and be motivated and accountable to themselves throughout the process, from planning to pitching.
In this session, we will walk through how to plan a book project from start to finish. We’ll cover SMART goals, creating a project roadmap to track progress, and how building a plan helps keep your creative energies focused. We’ll normalize the rollercoaster of the creative process and talk about how to get your book project across the finish line!
April 23 (4:00 PM EDT/ 9:00 PM UK)
Presented by Savannah Gilbo
Want to write a multi-book series? In this presentation, Savannah will talk through what makes certain book series successful, while others are not—including how to avoid the biggest mistakes she sees writers make when crafting a series. She’ll also talk through 5 steps to start planning your book series, including how to craft a cohesive message and story world across your books and how to map out your plot points and character arcs across books as well.
Networking Session
April 23 (6:00 PM EDT / 11 PM UK)
During this networking session, you will have the opportunity to meet other people in the fantasy writing community through speed dating. We will be sending you into breakout rooms in groups of 4 or 5.
April 24 (10:00 AM EDT / 3:00 PM UK)
Presented by Janet Forbes & Dimitris Havlidis
See an in-depth walkthrough of the World Anvil software with co-founders, Janet Forbes and Dimitris Havlidis.
Writing Crossroads: How Four Big Decisions Shape Your Story
April 24 (12:00 PM EDT / 5:00 PM UK)
Presented by Lewis Jorstad
Which is more important when writing a novel: page-turning plots or engaging characters? Believe it or not, neither can exist without the other! In this workshop, Lewis Jorstad will guide you through the four key turning points of every successful story, and how each one is tied to an active decision your hero makes. By the end of this class, you'll not only have a deeper understanding of your novel, but an actionable plan for adding these turning points to your next draft.
The 3 Keys to Enchant Readers for Meaningful Impact
April 24 (2:00 PM EDT / 7:00 PM UK)
Presented by Gina Kammer
Learn how to have a lasting impact on readers by discovering the 3 kEys to Reader Enchantment (not a typo, just a corny mnemonic!). These keys are based in the brain science of how readers experience a story and what immerses them page after page. Through guided steps, you will put three of the hardest-hitting exercises for each key into practice.
This workshop is perfect for authors who want their stories to better connect with and enchant readers. Do you have something you really want to share with readers and at least inspire a few who need your story? You’re exactly the kind of passionate creative who will benefit from knowing the “whys” behind craft advice, and when and how to implement such advice in your story. You don’t want to miss this session if you want to unlock your novel's fullest potential.
Making Magic with Reader Magnets
April 24 (4PM EDT / 9PM UK)
Presented by Z.S. Diamanti
If you've done much research on selling books, you've likely noticed a vast general consensus that an author newsletter is a must! Reader magnets are what get readers to subscribe to your newsletter. Seems simple enough, but what are reader magnets, really? What do they look like? How do you make them? What do you do with them after you make them? What should they do? Maybe you've even tried to make some, but they don't seem to be doing what you hoped they would. In this presentation, award-winning fantasy author, Z.S. Diamanti, demystifies what he considers to be one of the three foundational pillars for author growth. Let's make magic with reader magnets.
A Guide to Writing Romantasy
April 24 (6:00 PM EDT / 11 PM UK)
Presented by Jenna Moreci
Interested in tackling one of the most popular genres in our current literary landscape? This workshop will teach you all about romantasy: What it is, how it’s structured, how it differs from fantasy and romance, and how to appeal to your target audience while also honoring your passion. If you want to craft a swoon-worthy “ship” and thrust them into a fantastic world, this workshop is for you..
How to Use Technology to Make Your Editing Process Simple and Efficient
April 25 (10:00 AM EDT / 3:00 PM UK)
Presented by Hayley Millliman
Join ProWritingAid's Director of Community Engagement, Hayley Milliman, on a deep-dive into making your editing process easier with ProWritingAid.
Beyond the Fantasy Archetype: Creating Memorable Characters
April 25 (12:00 PM EDT / 5:00 PM UK)
Presented by Julie Artz
What do the first ancient playwrights, Carl Jung, and Dungeons and Dragons have in common? They all understood the power of character archetypes. Join author, editor, and book coach Julie Artz as she explores how writers can not only use the classic fantasy character archetypes to maximize tension on the page, but move beyond them to create fresh, resonant characters in their fiction. In addition to the helpful tips provided in the lecture, participants will also receive Julie's bonus Fantasy Archetype Checklist to keep on hand as they craft their characters.
Social Media Magic: Reveal Your Fantasy Writer Archetype
April 25 (2:00 PM EDT / 7:00 PM UK)
Presented by Lara Ferrari
Lara Ferrari is an author marketing specialist on a quest to help you attract readers and sell more books without any of the usual social media awkwardness. Join her for this Fantasy-focused workshop as she introduces us to 12 author archetypes, each with their own spell-binding strategies for crafting connections with readers and building a legion of fans (before your book is even published). Tune in to discover whether you’re an Alchemist, a Changeling, a Dark Wizard or something else entirely…
Beyond Burnout: How to Stay in Love with Writing & Build a Sustainable Author Career
April 25 (4:00 PM EDT / 9:00 PM UK)
Presented by Isabel Sterling
Writers work for years—if not decades—to break into publishing, but once they get there, many find themselves trapped in a cycle of hustle and burnout. Writing stops being fun. Anxiety skyrockets. Every new publishing milestone brings another layer of imposter syndrome. In Beyond Burnout: How to Stay in Love with Writing & Build a Sustainable Author Career, traditionally published author and master certified coach Isabel Sterling breaks down the root cause of author burnout and provides actionable steps that every author can take to burnout-proof their career.
Networking
April 25 (6:00 PM EDT / 11:00 PM UK)
Presented by ProWritingAid
During this networking session, you will be placed into small break-out rooms to collaborate on building your own fantasy world.
Workshop: Adding Depth to Your Fantasy World
April 26 (10:00 AM EDT / 3:00 PM UK)
Presented by Hayley Millliman
Join us for an interactive workshop designed to elevate your storytelling to new heights! In "Adding Depth to Your Fantasy World," we'll delve into the secrets of creating rich and believable worlds that will mesmerize readers and bring your stories to life.
Exclusive Q&A with Story Editing Expert Kristina Stanley
April 26 (12:00 PM EDT / 5:00 PM UK)
Presented by Kristina Stanley, CEO of Fictionary
Kristina Stanley is an award-winning author, professional editor, and creator of the StoryCoach Story Editing Certification. She has spent the last decade designing a practical story editing process that any writer or editor can use to make sure that the plot, characters, structure, and settings are as impactful as possible.
From building captivating characters to weaving seamless plots and infusing your writing with emotion, Kristina is here to help. Bring your burning questions and editing dilemmas for personalized guidance and expert insights that will transform your manuscripts..
Pitch to Query Perfect
April 26 (2:00 PM EDT / 7:00 PM UK)
Presented by Marvellous Michael Anson
Join our interactive workshop to master the art of crafting compelling query letters. This session offers hands-on learning with live critiques of your queries. Discover the key elements that make your pitch stand out and learn how to effectively communicate your book's essence to literary agents or publishers. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting, this workshop provides invaluable insights and personalized feedback to enhance your query letter writing skills. Don't miss this opportunity to fine-tune your pitches and increase your chances of getting noticed in the competitive world of publishing.
Networking
April 26 (6:00 PM EDT / 11:00 PM UK)
Presented by ProWritingAid
During this networking session, you will be placed into small break-out rooms to get to know each other and discuss your takeaways from the week.
Sue Campbell has helped hundreds of writers, from newbies to bestsellers, transform their inhibitive mindset around marketing and realize their full potential as authors. Her clients have exponentially increased their email lists and book sales, landed articles in prestigious publications such as The New York Times, done guest spots on popular podcasts and more.
Anne Hawley is a certified developmental editor of literary, historical, and fantasy fiction, and is the author of Restraint, a novel of forbidden love in Regency England. She was the producer and writer of the popular Story Grid Roundtable Podcast, and currently teaches and develops writing courses at Pages and Platforms..
Rachelle Ramirez is a certified developmental editor, who helps fiction and nonfiction writers structure and finish their projects. She is a co-creator of the Story Path course and numerous writing masterclasses. She is a co-host of The Happily Ever Author Club at Pages and Platforms and the author of the forthcoming book, The ADHD Writer: From Frustrated to Focused to Finished. You can learn more about Rachelle Ramirez and her editing services at Rachelle Ramirez.com.
Dani Abernathy is an Enneagram Teacher and book coach who helps novelists write the stories they need to tell so their readers can feel seen and can see others. Specializing in fantasy, soft sci-fi, and YA, Dani merges how story works with how people work, creating books that help readers have more empathy for themselves and others. Through her Rooted Writers Mentorship, she helps novelists embrace, plan, and write books they're proud of. Dani is a Capricorn, INFJ, and Enneagram Type 4 who believes that stories can change the world, one reader at a time.
Combining her degree in computer mathematics with her success as a best-selling, award winning author and fiction editor, Kristina Stanley is the creator and CEO of Fictionary, creative editing software for fiction writers and editors. She is a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach. Her novels include the Stone Mountain Mystery series and Look the Other Way. She is the author of The Author's Guide to Selling Books to Non-Bookstores, and she's also a passionate guide dog trainer and hiker.
Kyle Cisco is a Story Grid Certified Editor from Winter Springs, Florida. He is a disabled Air Force Veteran, utilizing his discipline and attention to detail as an aircraft mechanic to check the structural integrity of your story. He is a writer working on a flintlock fantasy thriller series and horror story anthology. He has three kids, three dogs, a wife that supports his dream of editing books, and a love of reading that can never be sated. As an editor he specializes in helping Fantasy authors in bringing their world to life through compelling worldbuilding and his vast knowledge of history.
Dana Pittman is a USA Today and Amazon Bestselling romance and paranormal romance author, Certified Developmental Editor, and the Chief Storyteller with Danja Tales, a boutique romance developmental editing company in Houston, Texas. She specializes in romances (contemporary, steamy, billionaire, etc), paranormal romance, fantasy, suspense/thrillers, and plotting. And she'd love to chat with you about YOUR novel.
Janet Forbes (she/her) is a published fantasy author, game developer and (secretly) a velociraptor, and has been building worlds since she was knee-high to an orc. In 2017 she co-founded World Anvil (https://www.worldanvil.com), the award-winning worldbuilding, writing and tabletop RPG platform which boasts a community of almost 2 million users. As a writer, Janet has published short fiction in several collections, was the lead author of The Dark Crystal RPG (2021), has also written for Infinite Black, Kobold Press, Penny Dragon Games and Tidebreaker, and is notorious for sneaking dinosaurs into every IP she works on.
Dimitris Havlidis (he/him) has been building settings for 30 years, and has made more epic, sandbox worlds than he’s had hot dinners. He holds degrees in Computing, Social Psychology (always useful for tormenting characters) and Graphic Design, and worked as a CTO for some of the top agencies in the UK. He left the corporate world to focus on World Anvil, which is now his life's work. With his wife Janet Forbes, he developed the groundbreaking Agile Worldbuilding Method, and has given talks and seminars at some of the biggest conventions in the world on worldbuilding and game mastery. He loves cheese, lemon pies and top hats.
A voracious reader of all kinds of fiction (and sometimes memoir and non-fiction), Kerry Savage (she/her) is an Author Accelerator certified book coach who works with novelists from the planning stages through revision, helping writers get their best book ready for the world. She is also a J-school grad and former project manager, as well as being hard at work on her first novel (a work of historical fiction based on the life of a real badass female pirate). She serves as a volunteer mentor for the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA) and Sisters in Crime (SinC). She loves good wine, cheese, and trying to keep her succulents alive.
Savannah Gilbo is a certified developmental editor and book coach who helps fiction authors write, edit, and publish stories that work. She’s also the host of the top-rated Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast, where she delivers weekly episodes full of simple, actionable, and step-by-step strategies that you can implement in your writing right away. When she’s not busy crafting her own stories, you can find Savannah curled up with a good book, a cozy blanket, and her three furry partners in crime.
As Director of Community at ProWritingAid, Hayley Milliman focuses on building engaging, helpful learning content for the millions of users who rely on ProWritingAid to make their writing clear and effective. Hayley has a robust writing portfolio and has written for dozens of publications on topics related to education, marketing strategy, history, entrepreneurship, and more.
Lewis Jorstad is a book coach and editor who helps passionate fiction writers master their craft and find their readers at The Novel Smithy. When he isn't helping students or writing books of his own, you can find him babying his houseplants and baking far too many homemade bagels.
Book coach and editor Gina Kammer uses brain science hacks to take science fiction and fantasy authors through each step of the novel-writing process to create stories that enchant readers. Gina combines her background in teaching college writing and literature with her insights as a former in-house editor to mentor authors through craft instruction and the publishing industry. With over a decade of professional story-dragon experience, she coaches authors at inkybookwyrm.com so they know exactly which next steps to take on their journeys to publication.
Z.S. Diamanti is the award-winning author of the Stone & Sky series, an epic fantasy adventure and the result of his love for fun and fantastic stories. His short works have been published in magazines, literary journals, newspapers, and books. He went to college for a very long time and has far too many pieces of paper on his wall. He is a USAF veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and worked in ministry for over 10 years before pursuing creative endeavors full-time. He and his wife reside in Colorado with their four children where they enjoy hikes, camping, and tabletop games.
Jenna Moreci is a bestselling dark fantasy romance and writing craft author, as well as a YouTube sensation with hundreds of thousands of subscribers. Her first installment in The Savior’s Series, The Savior’s Champion, was voted one of the Best Books of All Time by Book Depository. Born and raised in Silicon Valley, Jenna spends her free time snuggling up with her charming partner and their tiny dog, Buttercup.
Julie Artz helps writers who dream of a life spent telling stories that matter slay their doubt demons so they can send their work out into the world with confidence. An active member of the writing community, she has volunteered for SCBWI, TeenPit, and Pitch Wars and is a member of EFA, the Authors Guild, and AWP. A social and environmental justice minded story geek, Julie lives in an enchanted forest outside of Seattle, Washington, with her husband, two strong-willed teenagers, and a couple of naughty furry familiars.
Lara Ferrari is an Instagram marketing specialist who's helped over 100 authors grow an engaged community of readers online (and helped them have fun doing it!). After a passion for marketing landed her a career in copywriting and a love of books led to developmental editing, Lara eventually managed to combine both areas of expertise and find her true purpose. After successfully using Instagram to build her own business, she now channels all her energy into helping authors charm the social media algorithms and share their stories with the readers who will love them most.
Isabel Sterling is a master certified coach and the founder of The Confident Author Academy, where she helps novelists create sustainable, burnout-free authors careers. A traditionally published author herself, Isabel writes twisty paranormal thrillers about magical queer girls who find love after heartbreak. Her novels include These Witches Don’t Burn, This Coven Won’t Break, and The Coldest Touch.
Marvellous Michael Anson has been writing for over a decade and has self-published a thriller, His Dark Reflection, to critical acclaim. She was shortlisted for the Futureworlds Prize in 2023, winning mentorship from a top UK editor. Her debut fantasy novel, FIRSTBORN OF THE SUN was shortlisted for the 2022 Jericho Writers Friday Night Live Competition and the 2022 Kit De Waal Bursary, was longlisted for the 2023 REVPIT competition, and won the 2023 Jericho Writers’ Self Edit Course Bursary. In addition, Marve is a filmmaker who wrote and produced an award-winning short film in 2016 and is a recipient of the 2017 AFRIFF Film School Scholarship Program. She works as a technology consultant during the day and a storyteller at night. She is a member of the Society of Authors, Alliance of Independent Authors and the British Fantasy Society. She is represented by Keia Lupo, Bindery Agency.
(This information is from the The Internet Writing Workshop)
The Internet Writing Workshop is a set of mailing lists (groups) that communicate in English by email. We are:A community where writers can submit and critique written works.
A forum to discuss and get help on all aspects of writing.
A public service educational organization, staffed by volunteers and free of charge.
The Workshop is open to all styles and genres of writing: literary fiction, genre fiction, poetry, children's writing, essays, newspaper articles, scripts, you name it. Members do not need to be published writers, only to be serious about writing and about wanting to improve.
Because some of the posted material may be controversial or adult in nature, all members must be 18 years or older.
We have critiquing lists and discussion lists:
1) Our Critiquing lists:
List Name Purpose
Fiction Short stories in all genres (includes Flash Fiction).
Lovestory-L Romance fiction from short stories to books.
Nfiction All forms of Non-fiction.
Novels-L Chapters of novels in all genres, and memoirs.
Poetry-W All forms of poetry:
Classical, free verse, concrete poetry, or prose poems.
Practice-W Writing exercises are assigned weekly.
Members post their responses and critique others' responses.
Yawrite All forms of writing for children and young adults:
Fiction, poetry, non-fiction, picture books, novels, etc.
Members participate by submitting their works and critiquing other members' works.
There are minimum participation requirements for each critiquing list representing approximately one half hour per week. Most members exceed the minimum because they find the process so rewarding. Many are surprised to discover that they learn as much from doing critiques as from receiving them.
2) Our Discussion lists:
List Name Purpose
Writing Discussions of all issues directly related to the craft or marketing of writing. Reading or saving posts is entirely voluntary.
MarketChat For discussions of Books, Movies, and Etc.
SFChat-L Discussions on Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction in all its forms.
********************************
The Internet Writing Workshop's Blog
See interesting commentary on writing and other things at our blog: http://internetwritingworkshop.blogspot.com/.
Joining
An existing member of any of our Internet Writing Workshop may add other lists just asking at writing-workshop-request@lists.psu.edu, or gayle@amperzen.com, or gepresley@gmail.com.
To become a new member of the Internet
Writing Workshop, send a message to writing-workshop-request@lists.psu.edu with a copy to gayle@amperzen.com, or gepresley@gmail.com containing the following information:Your email address and your full name, not your pen name. We need at least two names, or an initial and a name. (Using a false name will be grounds for removal from the workshop.)
A statement that:you have read our Rules and How It Works sections, that you agree to abide by the list rules, and that you are at least 18 years old. The list names you wish to join. Click on list names above for more details.
You will be added to the general Writing list unless you specifically ask not to. (It's a good place to meet members and get answers.)
The mail options for each list: Mail or Digest.
With the default Mail option, you receive individual emails. With the Digest option, you receive many emails within one, approximately once daily. You can change your choice at any time.
A bio paragraph or two: who you are, your country of residence, what you like to write and read, etc. Each month, new-member's bios are sent only once to our existing members. If you prefer not to have yours included there, please tell us in your application email.
Please let us know how you found us.
If the writing-workshop-request address doesn't work, try our alternate address.
Note: The time required for minimum participation is small, but most members spend more time. Join a few lists at first. You can always join more later. We don't want you to burn out.
When we receive this information, we'll add you to the Workshop and you will begin receiving list mail in the format you requested.
That's it! We look forward to hearing from you.
