Before we can begin polishing our manuscripts, there's something we need to discuss: the difference between editing and revising.

These two words are often used interchangeably, and that's fine for colloquial conversations. But when it comes to the work itself, these words indicate two unique tasks. Understanding the differences between the two can help you cut through editing overwhelm (see, there's that colloquial usage again!) and make the process of finishing your manuscript far more efficient. 

So, what is the difference between editing and revising? And what exactly is involved in accomplishing both tasks? Let's break these questions down in today's article, writers.

You’ve the seed of a story idea stuck in your head, but it’s nowhere near ready to write. 

How does one go about expanding a simple story idea into a fully-developed novel? It depends! Some writers prefer to explore their ideas by diving straight into a discovery draft, getting to know their characters and plot as they write, while others find it beneficial to first outline their characters, scenes, settings, and more. 

The latter process, called pre-writing, certainly isn't easy. But if you believe a little plotting and planning may help you draft your next novel with confidence and clarity, have no fear. Today, we're walking through eleven simple steps you can take over the coming weeks to develop your story idea with purpose and power!

So, you've finished the first draft of your novel. Congratulations!

With a completed draft under your belt, it can be tempting to dive straight into edits, revising all of those pesky plot holes and other weaknesses you created along the way. This, however, would likely be a big mistake. Revising is a massive undertaking, requiring plenty of planning and objective thinking.

With that in mind, let's take a look at ten smart steps you can take before launching head first into the overwhelm that is editing a full-length story. How much time and effort you put into each step may vary depending on several factors, but each one is important to consider no matter your writing process. Shall we begin?

No matter how much tension you pack into the pages of your book, readers won’t care about your story if they don’t first care about your characters. After all, there’s nothing page-turning about a predictable protagonist playing out a predictable plot.

If you want readers to invest in your characters and their journeys, then you must craft characters that readers can believe in — characters so well-developed and realistic that they seem to spring to life on the page. But crafting a cast that moves beyond caricatures and cardboard cutouts can be difficult. What steps can you take to develop complex and compelling characters today?

Here are 33 tips you won’t want to miss…

Have you ever read a book in which you felt one with the point-of-view character?

From the very first page, the author dropped you in the protagonist's shoes, encouraging you to see their world and experience their journey through their eyes. It's novels like these that are often so easy to consume — and that consume you in return. And the technique that makes many of them tick? Writing in Deep Point-Of-View...

If you're looking to write an engaging genre-fiction novel that grips readers and doesn't let go, Deep POV may just be your secret weapon. But what exactly is this technique, and how can you utilize in your own writing? Let's break down everything you need to know in today's article, writer!

If there's anything I've learned as a writer, it's that building a fictional world is easier said than done.

When well-developed, a fictional world feels realistic and approachable, even if it contains otherworldly elements such as magic or time travel. But behind the approachable facade lies the blood, sweat, and tears of the world's creator, who hand-crafted everything from its geography, religions, cultures, technologies, political systems, and more. 

Each of these elements affects how the story's characters see and experience their world, and so writers who are looking to craft incredible fictional worlds of their own can't afford to skimp on the details. But just what details should be considered? Let's break them down in today's introductory guide to world-building! 

We can all think of a few memorable mentor characters.

There's Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings, Dumbledore from Harry Potter, Professor X from the X-Men comics, and Haymitch and Effie Trinket from The Hunger Games, among countless others who've stayed with us long after we've closed the pages of our favorite books.

Crafting our own memorable mentors who find homes in the hearts of our readers, however, is often easier said than done. Fortunately, with a little time and intention, anything is possible. So let’s get to work, shall we?

Writers often enjoy crafting their characters' appearances, yet just how important is appearance in the grand scheme of your story? Well, that depends.

In some instances, appearance plays a large role, informing a character's struggle, defining important cultural context, lending representation to under-served readers, and so on. Yet for most stories, a character's specific height or hair color bears little sway on the plot. Does this mean defining our characters' looks is unimportant?

Not at all, but we may need to change the way we think about appearance. Why so? And just how can we capture the clearest versions of our characters on the page? Let's dive into today's breakdown, writers!

Novels are just like houses.

Houses have rooms and residents. Novels have chapters and characters. Houses have curb appeal. Novels have pretty covers. Houses and novels both take a while to build, and the end results for both aren't worth much if they weren't built on a solid foundation.

And when it comes to novels, that solid foundation is a well-planned plot structure.

This may not seem like a big deal at first. Just let the story tell itself, right? That route may seem easy and natural, but it won't guarantee that your novel will be a success. Analyze a handful of bestselling books and you'll see that each one was built, brick-by-brick, on a foundation of the author's design.

So, how can you do the same? Well, I'm breaking down three bestselling plot structures and dishing out my top tips for utilizing them in your own work in today's post, so let's get started!

Whether you love it or hate it, researching a novel is no easy task.

The good news is that the research process doesn't have to be a pluck-out-your-own-eyeballs kind of event. By getting savvy in our research techniques and creating an epic plan of attack, we can say goodbye to the endless web-surfing cycle of doom and hello to focused, intentional, and highly effective research — and it doesn't even have to be a bore!

But where in the world do we begin in tackling such a task? And how can we apply the research we've done to our stories? I'll break down everything you need to know in today's article, writer.

Like any industry or creative hobby, the writing world comes with its fair share of lingo.

When I first began learning more about the craft of writing, I came across a bevy of words and phrases whose definitions left me feeling clueless. Pantsers versus plotters? Deus ex machina? Exposition, epilogue, epigraph? It took me far too long to feel in-the-know as a new writer. If you find yourself in a similar position now, let’s take some time today to define the popular literary lingo you need to know!