5 Storytelling Skills Every Writer Should Master

by John Kerr / April 26, 2022 / Guest Posts, Other

Writing a novel is like anything else; it takes practice.

This is one of (many) hard truths writers have to face if they ever hope to become a published author. No matter how much raw talent you have, you need to put in the time to nurture that talent, thus translating it into concrete storytelling skills that will last you for years to come.

To help you achieve this, I’ve invited a guest to The Novel Smithy to talk about a few important writing skills all writers should master. From plotting to character development and even point of view, here are five ways to level of your next story, courtesy of John Kerr!

Hero vs. Heroine: Why They’re Not the Same

by Lewis / March 22, 2022 / Character Development

The word “hero” carries a lot of weight.

Classic heroes are a staple of nearly all fiction, regardless of the genre you’re writing in. These characters are those who face seemingly impossible challenges, rise to the occasion, and then return to share the rewards of their journey with their community.

At first glance, this “hero’s journey” seems universal, and in many ways it is. However, there’s another side to this story that doesn’t match up with the traditional hero—and that is the heroine. Believe it or not, heroes and heroines aren’t the same. So, in this article, let’s explore all the differences between the hero and heroine, along with why these character types have nothing to do with gender!

Dynamic vs. Round Characters: Who Needs a Character Arc?

by Lewis / March 8, 2022 / Character Development

Often, writers assume every character needs an arc…

But, is that actually true? While every character is the hero of their own story, that doesn’t make them the hero of yours. Because of this, not every character you write will warrant a full character arc—and this is where the difference between dynamic and round characters becomes important.

Dynamic characters are those who transform throughout your novel, while round characters are well-developed, but don’t undergo any dramatic change. You’ll need to balance both types of characters if you want to do your novel justice. So, let me walk you through everything you should know about writing dynamic vs. round characters!

The 4 Traits of Successful Writers

by Lewis / February 15, 2022 / Inspiration, Other

There’s more to writing than following the rules…

I talk a lot about the writing craft on this site, and for good reason. From character arcs, to story structures and blueprints, there’s a lot that goes into writing a compelling novel. However, at the same time, these writing “rules” aren’t the only key to becoming an author.

Alongside understanding the writing craft, writers also need to nurture their inspiration, seek out feedback, and learn how to trust their gut—even if that means breaking the rules on occasion. So, today I’d like to explore the four traits of a good novelist, as well as how to nurture those traits in your own writing life!

5 Line Editing Tips for Polishing Your Prose

by Stacy Juba / February 1, 2022 / Editing, Guest Posts

Most writers know their novel needs line editing.

However, they’re not exactly sure what that means. Obviously, the goal is to make their prose sound better—but how? I’ve had clients read my line edits on their manuscript and marvel, “How did you do that?”

While I’d like to claim I have a magical touch, here’s the secret: You can learn how to line edit, too. To help you out, I’m going to share five actionable line editing tips that I guarantee will propel your writing to a higher level. First, though, let’s break down what line editing is.