While the omniscient point of view (POV) is considered a bit outdated today—with favor being given to third-person limited or first-person—it still comes up now and again. And with it there is the danger of head-hopping, or jumping from one perspective to another. Why...
Revising a first (or second or third) draft can feel overwhelming. Make it easier on yourself by working in pieces—or passes. Rather than trying to fix plot holes alongside misplaced commas, instead deal with the big problems first and work your way down to typos....
Repeating character names throughout a conversation can come across as stiff and ingenuous. (Or worse! It could invoke memories of that old, terrible flirting tip that using someone’s name over and over when talking to them lets them know you’re really...
Mentor texts can be a great way to study rhythm and style within a beloved novel. (See my previous tip on using mentor texts.) They can also help writers who struggle with dialogue to learn the art of conversation within a story. Often a newer writer (or even an...
Deep third-person point of view is a form of limited third POV that immerses your reader in the experience of your character by removing most of the narrative voice. It can help bring a stronger sense of connection to the character, while also helping you clip longer...
Do you worry that your writing sounds robotic or monotonous? Sometimes when we’re learning to write or rushing to capture a scene on paper, we fall into repetitive structures that result in writing that is—sorry!—boring. While it’s true that some...
