The Four Act Structure: What It Is + How It Works

by Lewis / May 31, 2022 / Story Structure

“What is the Four Act Structure?”

I talk a lot about the Three Act Structure on this site, but a few months ago, a friendly reader asked me this question—and, well, it sent me down a rabbit hole I’m only just emerging from. Believe it or not, the Three Act Structure and Four Act Structure aren’t distant cousins, but nearly identical twins.

Despite this, the Four Act Structure has won me over. This story structure has a lot to offer, providing a helpful guide to plot and pacing that’s useful no matter where you are in the writing process. So, let me show you why I’ve decided to forsake the Three Act Structure in favor of its four-part sibling!

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!