How to Write Non-Romantic Relationships

by Bethany Henry / June 21, 2022 / Character Development, Guest Posts

Nothing against romance—it’s just not all there is.

Romance is a common story element and often an expected one. However, we shouldn’t feel like romance is a requirement. There can be great value in writing stories with no romance at all. Personally, as a full disclaimer, I have quite the soft spot for romance and I really enjoy a good happily-ever-after. The meet-cutes and stolen glances across a room… it’s adorable!

Still, love and life don’t require romance—and we’re missing out on a lot of stories if we overlook that fact. Today, we’ll look at the different types of non-romantic relationships, as well as what non-romantic plotlines and themes might look like.

8 Ways to Create (And Stick To) A Writing Schedule

by Katja Kaine / June 7, 2022 / Guest Posts, Inspiration

Good habits are an important part of being a writer.

It takes time to achieve success as an author, and one of the biggest aspects of that success is often a regular writing habit—and that starts with creating a sustainable writing schedule.

In this article, I’m going to give advice on how you can build the right writing schedule for you, based not only on my own experiences but also on my discussions with other writers. We’re all unique, but with these tips in hand, you should have everything you need to create a writing schedule you can stick to.

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!