The creative writing blog

Jessica Read

Delve into the industry guidelines on how to format a novel manuscript, whether it’s for a writing competition or to submit to a literary agent.

Clare Mackintosh

Before embarking on your crime fiction novel, how much research do you need to do? Bestselling crime novelist and former police officer Clare Mackintosh demonstrates how to tackle the problem of accuracy in your novel.

Amanda Reynolds

Discover the role of antagonists and how writers can use them to enhance a story by shaping conflict and character growth, with suspense author Amanda Reynolds.

Alice Kuipers

Find ways to enter a flow state with these tips from author and writing coach Alice Kuipers, and you’ll see your focus and mental clarity improve, helping you reach those writing goals.

Elsa Doig

Inspire your fiction with unique writing wisdom brought to you by The Novelry, from bestselling authors including Tayari Jones, Tami Hoag, Hannah Kaner, Talia Hibbert, and Lessons in Chemistry’s Bonnie Garmus.

Katie Khan

Discover the writers who have got a book deal, had a book published, or signed with a literary agent in 2024 through The Novelry, the world’s top-rated writing school.

Jessica Read

We recap our first season of The Novelry on Writing, featuring tips from bestselling writing coaches and Big Five publishing editors.

Amanda Reynolds

What is a foil character, and how can you incorporate one into your novel? In this article, bestselling author Amanda Reynolds clarifies this literary device, provides examples of famous foil characters, and offers ten tips for writing an effective foil character.

Sadé Omeje

Editor Sadé Omeje takes a deep dive into magical realism as a form of fiction writing, shares her best tips, her favorite books, and tidbits from our writers and editors.

Melanie Conklin

Is your character curious and conscientious, or vicious and vain? This article defines what character traits are and how to use them, with a comprehensive character traits list to help you build compelling characters.

Libby Page

How do you want to leave your readers feeling? In this article, author and writing coach Libby Page explores various happy endings and how best to finish your novel to leave your readers feeling satisfied.

Ella McLeod

In this article, YA author and coach Ella McLeod explains the distinction between writing for and about teenagers, demonstrating how to write a Young Adult novel that connects authentically with teenage readers.