Novel Genres

Use these novel outline templates to structure your novel. Writing templates for major genres to get your story off on the right footing.

Writing a mystery novel involves creating suspense, actively involving the reader, using red herrings and more. Learn how to write great mystery fiction.

How To Plan The Crime In Your Mystery Novel [Mystery Month] - Rachel Poli

A crime / mystery thriller novel plot outline template. Free printable PDF writing worksheet. Perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to write a book.

Writing crime fiction requires a knack for writing elements of crime fiction such as drama and tension. Learn how to write suspenseful crime fiction.

I’m very good at coming up with story “sparks” – too good, in fact – but I always find it a trial to develop those ideas into fully-fledged stories. One technique I use is to create mind-maps. I thought I would share my genre mind maps in case they can help you in your hour…

Author on tour: Researching medieval castles in Bretagne, France.

Historical Romances; the novels you teased your mother about as a child, and secretly read in the dark by flashlight as a teenager.

Buy a cheap copy of How to Write and Sell Historical Fiction by Persia Woolley 0898797535 9780898797534 - A gently used book at a great low price. Free shipping in the US. Discount books. Let the stories live on. Affordable books.

So, what is “Modern Historical Fiction”, right? Well, my work in progress (novel) is Modern Historical. It's set primarily in the 1980s, although readers will be given a glimpse of the early 1990s. We can debate as to where the line is drawn. Some would say that, if anyone is alive today who remembers a…

Penelope Redmont writes fun traditional historical romance, romantic mysteries, and other fiction

Writers of historical fiction can never get it truly right. But they can get close. Full immersion and high-level psychic distance are how.

So you’ve decided to write a historical fiction novel. You enjoy writing, and you adore history, so combining your two loves is a natural step. But before you take that leap into the past, there are a few things you might want to think about… What are you bringing to the table? As most historical fiction readers know, there is already a LOT of choices out there. Take the Tudors for example. There are thousands of books on Henry the Eighth (famous for his six wives, two of whom he had…

In this post I ask, and attempt to answer, two questions: 1) What exactly is the structure of a horror story? 2) What is the purpose of a horror story? What is it supposed to accomplish? How will we know whether we've succeeded or failed?

How to Write a Memoir -- memoir writing tips, writing creative nonfiction, memoir writing prompts

Super attractive bad boys. Emotionally unavailable girls with a scarred past. An overload of angst. Love triangles. Jealousy. “My life sucks” mentality. Sound familiar? Yep. I just described the bulk of YA characters. In an attempt to create stories that teens can identify with, authors often end up writing characters that are so horribly inaccurate and stereotyped that it's almost funny. Almost. I don't know about you, but I'd rather shoot myself than wade through all of the angst-riddled…

A list of 10 common cliches in YA stories. Learn what cliches are out there in YA so you can avoid them or learn how to twist them into something new.

How to Write a YA Novel | How to Write a Young Adult Novel

Fictional weapons can be used by an author in a lot of ways. A weapon can define a fictional character. It can give them an image. It can give them a certain...

Learn how to write a novel and how to publish your book with writing advice and professional editing for fiction authors from an experienced freelance editor.

Walk into any book store, and you will find shelves and shelves of fantasy books. But the same clichés run through most of them, and many are so predictable that you only have to read the back cover to guess the entire plot. Now, while I don’t suggest getting rid of every fantasy clichés in…

Learn how to use clichés to your advantage in your story. Learn how using them can add depth and meaning, and learn how to avoid the traps associated with them!

A FAST way to outline your fantasy book plot! Follow this 9-step framework to find the perfect *magical* book idea, and outline your fantasy novel in 10 minutes flat. Writing a book can feel overwhelming, but with a clear story outline to guide you, writing your book will feel easier than before. For more writing tips and techniques, visit our blog!