7 Steps for Writing Your Novel’s Opening Chapter

by Lewis / June 22, 2021 / Story Structure

Your novel’s opening pulls a lot of weight.

Not only will your opening chapter give readers their first glimpse into your story, but it’ll also lay the groundwork you’ll build on throughout the rest of your novel. It’ll introduce your characters, establish your story’s world, and spark the conflicts that will ultimately draw readers into your story.

So, how can you write a successful opening chapter? Well, while your first chapter will be unique to your story, there are a few common traits well-written openings share—along with seven simple steps you can take to ensure your first chapter is the best it can be!

Creating Catharsis: How to Write a Story That Works

by Lewis / June 8, 2021 / Other, Story Structure

When writing a novel, your plot will take center stage.

Not only is your plot a major component of your novel, but it’s also the foundation from which you’ll build everything from your characters, to your worldbuilding, theme, and more. This means that writing a compelling plot is a critical step if you want your novel to succeed—and no plot is truly complete without a healthy dose of catharsis.

So, in this article, let’s unpack what exactly catharsis is, as well as the three key elements you’ll need to write a cathartic plot. Finally, to wrap things up, I’ll walk you through how story structure can help you create catharsis in your own novels!

A Handy Formula for Writing the Perfect Book Blurb

by Lewis / May 25, 2021 / Publishing

Imagine you’re browsing your favorite bookstore…

After a while, you find a novel you’re interested in. The title is intriguing, and the cover catches your eye—but what next? Well, if you’re like most readers, you’ll flip the book over and read the book’s description. This is that novel’s book blurb, and it’s often the final test readers use to determine if a novel is worth their time.

Because of this, writing a successful book blurb is a critical skill to learn if you plan to self-publish a novel—and also a difficult one to master. Fortunately, rather than having to create your book’s description from scratch, there’s actually a handy formula you can use to write the perfect fiction book blurb!

6 Ways to Name Your Novel’s Chapters

by Lewis / May 11, 2021 / Other

Have you ever given much thought to your novel’s chapter names?

If not, you aren’t alone. Many writers save naming their chapters until the very last minute, often tacking them on as more of an afterthought than anything else. However, this misses an important truth—that, just like every other part of your novel, your chapter names are worth some love and attention.

You see, chapters play a critical role in your novel’s success, and your chapter names are just as much a part of that success as things like structure or pacing. The only question is… How should you name your novel’s chapters in the first place?

The Secret to Making a Living as a Full-Time Author

by Lewis / April 27, 2021 / Publishing

Many of us dream of making a living from our novels.

However, actually turning your writing into a full-time business can be tricky. Writing a novel is hard enough, but turning that novel into a steady income is even harder. What’s more, making a living looks different for everyone, and what you need to create a stable author career probably won’t be obvious when you’re first starting out.

Fortunately, tons of self-published authors support themselves with their writing every year, and you can do the same. The key is to shift your mindset away from the myth of the debut bestseller—and instead embrace the many ways you can make a living from your novels!