proseprotips

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Foundational questions for every character: What do they want most? What do they fear most?

#prose protip #character #character writing #how to create characters #writing tips #writing advice #nanowrimo2019

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guillermo del toro could write cosmic horror but lovecraft could never write the shape of water

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Hard work is important, but don't forget to rest! Your story will benefit from your self-care.

#nanowrimo #nanowrimo2019 #rest #self care #writing tips #writing advice #prose protips #how to write a novel

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Write down everything that happens in the story, then in the second draft, make it look like you knew what you were doing all along. -Neil Gaiman

#neil gaiman #american gods #neverwhere #sandman #writing tips #writing advice #writing quotes #writing inspiration #good omens

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Find a partner (in-person or online) and write a short story, trading off every paragraph.

#nanowrimo2019 #writeblr #how to write fiction #writing tips #writing advice #prose protips #writing prompt #short story

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"The Bone Houses" is a great short fantasy book!

A beautiful cover and a description that name-drops Buffy, Holly Black, and VE

Schwab? I'll have to check this out ❤

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Your job as a writer, no matter what else is happening, is to continue to produce work—whether you’re succeeding or failing. -Leigh Bardugo

After reading Ninth House, I'm reading every Leigh Bardugo interview I can find. It's no surprise that she has some great insights to share about the craft. 

#leigh bardugo #ninth house #shadow and bone #six of crows #grisha #writing tips #writing quotes #writing inspiration #prose protips

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Queen of Nothing comes out in 4 days

and I just finished Ninth House. Any suggestions for a short, quick read for the weekend?

#what to read #what to read next #queen of nothing #holly black #leigh bardugo #ninth house

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I just finished Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo and I'm still picking my jaw up off the floor. Countless books have been marketed as "grownup Harry Potter," but Ninth House finally makes good on that pitch, using its magical premise to examine gender, class, and power in the Ivy League. It's very much an adult book (cw for several instances of sexual violence), but its ugly themes are handled with empathy and grace. I can't recommend it enough.

#leigh bardugo #ninth house #currently reading #book review #book recommendations #prose protips #fantasy novels #harry potter #grishaverse #grisha

[proseprotips]

Write the story you want to read.

#writing tips #writing motivation #writing inspiration #prose protips #nanowrimo #nanowrimo2019

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We don’t need a list of rights and wrongs, tables of dos and don'ts: we need books, time, and silence. “Thou shalt not” is soon forgotten, but “Once upon a time” lasts forever. -Philip Pullman

#philip pullman #the golden compass #his dark materials #writing tips #writing quotes #prose protips

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Imagine your hometown transformed by one drastic event. What happened? How is life different now, and in what ways is it the same as before?

#writing prompt #writing prompts #writing exercise #writing tips #writing advice #alternate history #prose protips #national novel writing month

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Learn to make friends with criticism! If it hurts at first, take a break and come back later. Critique is how shitty first drafts turn into great stories.

#criticism #critique #revision #editing #national novel writing month #writing tips #writing advice #prose protips

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Find a group of like-minded writers who will critique your work and hold you accountable.

My lovely writing group is the main reason I finished the first draft of my current novel! Without them, I'd still be swearing it'd get around to it sooner or later. Writing a novel is an immense, daunting task. We can help each other along through critique, encouragement, smart questions, and above all accountability. 

#writing group #critique #criticism #accountability #how to write a novel #prose protips #writing fiction

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Always start with character. Once you know your characters and their motives, the plot will often reveal itself.

#character #writing tips #writing advice #character writing #How To Write A Book #how to write a novel #how to write fiction #prose protips

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Exercise: Develop a setting using each of the five senses. In as much detail as possible, describe three things in the environment you can observe with each.

#setting #senses #writing exercise #writing prompt #prose protips #writing advice

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Always carry a note-taking device of some sort. Don’t let those moments of inspiration escape!

#notes #inspiration #national novel writing month #writing inspiration #writing practice #writing tips