Become A Fiction Writer

At one time or another, every human being has fantasized about writing the great American novel or short story. But storytelling takes skills that must be cultivated and pruned. In this section, you'll learn the secrets of great storytellers and discover hidden talents you never knew you had!

Don't Overload Your Reader With Description
Learn to insert the perfect amount of description in your stories with Kathleen Fuller's insight into descriptive writing.
Profanity Or Not?
Learn to tell clean stories that sell with Dennis E. Hensley's six tips for writing believable stories.
The Prescription for Ailing Manuscripts
Richard Mabry shares 6 questions you should ask yourself when writing dialogue that holds your reader's interest.
Six Journalism Techniques For Writing Great Dialogue
Learn to write dialogue that holds interest with Cheré Dastugue Coen's tips on writing effective dialogue.
Take Your Reader On A Journey
Dennis E. Hensley discusses why rewrites can turn your ailing manuscript into a winner. Learn to make sure your fiction stories are uniform.

Children's Writing Column By Arline Chandler

How to write a good children's book. Learn how to turn simple stories into captivating masterpieces.

Write Your Best
Learn why it's important to write compelling, challenging, and satisfying stories for children.
Find Story Ideas
Understanding the the art of writing for children.
Bring Characters To Life
Discover the importance of giving your storybook characters life.
Plot A Problem
Get tips on plotting problems in children's stories.
Show, Don't Tell
Low why you should show what is going on in a story, versus telling what's going on.
What's Your Story's Viewpoint?
Understand the differences between sharing your story in first, second, or third person.
Stories With Tastes, Smells, Sights, Sounds, And Touchy-feely Things
Tell your stories with the five senses: sights, smells, sounds, tastes and touch.
Transfer Your Experiences To Your Story
Enhance your children's stories with personal memories and feelings.
A Good Beginning Starts With Action
Start a children's story with action; with a problem to be solved.
Jump Over Obstacles In The Middle
Create a children's story that doesn't flop halfway through the storyline.
Wrap It Up!
Create a strong ending for your children's story.

Fact To Fiction Column By Stephen Rogers

How to write a better novel. Learn how to turn ordinary facts into compelling stories adults want to read.

Where Do Stories Come From?
Find your story; the story that sparks creativity.
Finding Places For Your Stories
Create scenes, places, and settings that move your fiction story along.
Who Is Your Character?
Know who your characters are before you write them.
What's Your Character's Motivation?
Create persuasive characters.
How Do You Make Actions Realistic?
Create character actions that feel real to the reader.
Dialogue is Deceptively Simple
Create powerful character dialogue that speaks to the reader.
Include Whole People In Your Dialogue
Create character interaction that engages the reader.
Know When To Answer The Questions
Build a story and characters that impact your readers.
The Technical Aspects Of Fiction Writing
Create fiction stories that result in sales.
Rewrite The End Of Your Novel
Create a story your readers will remember, by creating a strong ending.
Rewrite The Beginning Of Your Novel
Build trust with your readers, by creating a strong opening.
Sell Your Story
Get your fiction stories published.