Articles for Readers and Writers

Children's Fiction Christian Fiction Comedy/Humorous Fiction Fantasy/Paranormal/Supernatural Historical Holiday & Seasonal Reads Mystery/Suspense/Thrillers Romance Science Fiction Writing Advice

Children's Fiction

Heroes and Heroines in Children's Fiction: Why the Characters We Meet at Ten Stay With Us Forever

What makes a hero in a children's book? The question sounds simple, but the best authors have always known that the answer is more complicated than a...

From Page to Screen: Children's Books That Became Great Movies

There is a particular kind of anticipation that comes with hearing the words "now a major motion picture" attached to a childhood favourite. The imagi...

Learning Through Stories: Educational Themes in Children's Books

There is a question worth asking before a child is handed a book: what exactly are they receiving? The obvious answer is a story. The more interesting...

Uncovering Allegorical Elements in Classic Christian Literature

What Allegory Actually Does Christian literature has always done something more than tell stories. At its best it has used story to carry spiritual w...

Finding Hope in Dystopian Christian Fiction: A Dual Perspective

What Draws Us Into the Dark There is something deeply honest about dystopian fiction. It imagines a world where things have gone badly wrong, where i...

Navigating Doubt and Uncertainty Through Christian Non-Fiction

Doubt is not the opposite of faith. It is, more often, faith's companion, the thing that walks beside belief and asks hard questions in the dark. For...

Exploring the Themes of Redemption in Christian Fiction: A Reader's Perspective

Why Redemption Is at the Heart of Christian Fiction Ask a devoted reader of Christian fiction what keeps drawing them back to the genre, and the answ...

Inspirational Romance: An Article for Readers by Regina Andrews

Inspirational Romance An Article For Readers: Step into the World of Inspirational Romance Novels By Regina Andrews   Step into the world...

Comic Relief: How Humorous Books Can Relieve Stress and Boost Mood

Comic Relief: How Humorous Books Can Relieve Stress and Boost Mood Why Laughter Is Not a Luxury There is a particular kind of reader who reaches...

Exploring Absurdism in Literature: Books That Make You Think and Laugh

There is a particular kind of writer who looks at the human condition, sees its fundamental strangeness, and laughs. Not from ignorance or cruelty, bu...

Laugh Out Loud: The Funniest Moments in Classic Literature

There is a persistent myth about classic literature. It goes something like this: serious books are serious all the way through. Depth means solemnity...

The Art of Writing Comedy: Insights from Bestselling Authors

Comedy is widely regarded as the most unforgiving genre in fiction. In dramatic writing, you can coast on pathos; in thriller, tension does much of th...

The Use of Misdirection in Fantasy Fiction

Exploring Reader Reactions, Writer Strategies, and the Art of the Unexpected   Misdirection is one of the most powerful tools in a fantasy...

The Role of Protagonists in Fantasy Literature

Fantasy literature is a realm where the boundaries of reality are stretched, and the extraordinary becomes commonplace. Within this expansive world of...

An Analysis of Magic Systems in Fantasy Novels: Unveiling the Enchanting World of Imagination (from a reader's perspective)

Introduction Fantasy novels have captivated readers for centuries, transporting them to worlds filled with wonder, adventure, and, most importantly...

The Influence of Gothic Fiction on Paranormal Fiction

The realm of fiction has witnessed a fascinating evolution over the years, with various genres leaving their imprints on the literary landscape. One s...

Varieties of Vampires by Margaret L. Carter

Psychoanalyst Ernest Jones, in his 1951 classic nonfiction book On the Nightmare, labels the vampire the most "overdetermined" of monsters in terms of...

The Importance of Research in Historical Fiction Writing

Historical fiction bridges the past and the present, offering readers a vivid glimpse into times they could never experience firsthand. To truly captu...

The Role of the Protagonist in Historical Fiction Novels: A Reader's Perspective

Historical fiction novels offer a unique blend of education and entertainment, bringing to life the events and people from the past. Central to these...

The Impact of Historical Events on Historical Fiction: A Journey Through Time

Historical fiction has a unique ability to transport readers to different eras, immersing them in the lives of characters who lived through significan...

The Use of Humor in Historical Fiction Writing: A Reader's Delight

Historical fiction has the power to transport us to bygone eras, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the past and experience the lives of people who l...

The Best Historical Fiction Novels of All Time

*Note this kind of article is of course very subjective, and your favorites could be very different :)   Historical fiction has been a popula...

Holiday and Seasonal Stories: Books That Capture the Spirit

The turning of seasons, the sound of carolers, the scent of freshly baked holiday treats--there's something magical about the holiday and seasonal spi...

The Power of Clues in Mystery Novels

Mystery novels have captivated readers for centuries, offering thrilling journeys through riddles, suspense, and revelations. At the heart of every co...

The Power of Red Herrings in Mystery Novels: A Double-Edged Sword for Writers and Readers

Mystery novels have long captivated audiences with their intricate plots, suspenseful twists, and the inevitable, satisfying revelation. A key element...

The Mystery of Whodunit: A Deep Dive into the Classic Mystery Structure

Mystery novels have captivated readers for centuries, offering an exhilarating blend of suspense, puzzle-solving, and a quest for the truth. At the he...

What is a "cozy" Mystery? By Christine DeSmet

The "cozy" mystery features an amateur sleuth who is usually a woman. The sleuth is likeable, smart and earnest, and they go about life with a good se...

Literary Style Courts Thrillers by Linda Kasten

Upon browsing agents' wish lists the other day, I was puzzled when I saw the request for "literary thrillers". An interesting term, I thought. Trul...

What are "Mystery", "Thriller" and "Suspense" Genres?

Mystery   The essence of a mystery lies in the intellectual exercise of piecing together clues. The genre hinges on the 'whodunit' question,...

The Role of the Heroine in Romance Novels

Romance novels have captivated readers for centuries, evolving through the years while maintaining the core elements that define the genre--love, emot...

The Power of Chemistry in Romantic Relationships: An Alchemical Connection that Ignites Hearts

Love is often described as an elusive and magical force, capable of bringing people together in profound and inexplicable ways. For avid romance book...

A Case for Worst Boys By Klara Raškaj

In the romance genre, we often look for books with a particular trope (i.e. reoccurring theme). The infamous "bad boy" most likely comes to mind. Yes,...

Confessions of a Romance Writer and Reader by Deborah Nolan

CONFESSIONS OF A ROMANCE WRITER and READER By Deborah Nolan   I am and have always been an avid reader. As long as I have a book or prefera...

How I Became an Author of Erotica by Simone Leigh

So...people ask, how did you end up making your living as an Author of Erotica? And d'you know...it was accidental. Not becoming a writer, you unde...

The Role of Dreams and Nightmares in Science Fiction Novels

Science fiction has long been a genre of boundless creativity, exploring themes that challenge the limits of reality and imagination. Within this vast...

The Impact of Science on Science Fiction Worlds

From a Reader's Perspective:   Science fiction (sci-fi) has long captivated readers by blending imaginative storytelling with scientific pr...

The Role of Time Travel in Science Fiction Novels: A Reader's Journey Through Time

Introduction: A Timeless Fascination Time travel has long been a captivating theme in science fiction novels, intriguing readers with the possibili...

The Evolution of Science Fiction: From Jules Verne to Isaac Asimov

Science fiction has long captivated the imagination of readers, taking them on journeys to distant galaxies, exploring the possibilities of advanced t...

An Analysis of Futuristic Technologies in Science Fiction Novels

Science fiction is a genre that has captured the imaginations of readers for decades. One of the most fascinating aspects of this genre is the way tha...

Teaching Values Through Stories: Morals and Life Lessons for Kids

Ask a child what their favourite story is about, and they will almost never say "honesty" or "courage" or "kindness". They will tell you about a spide...

Crafting Compelling Holiday-Themed Stories: Fresh Ideas and Practical Writing Tips

Holidays and special seasons have a timeless allure, sparking joy, nostalgia, and anticipation in readers. If you've already explored the emotional de...

Unveiling the Supernatural Symphony: The Crucial Role of Dialogue in Paranormal Fiction

In the enchanted realms of paranormal fiction, where ghosts whisper secrets and werewolves prowl beneath the moon's glow, dialogue serves as the invis...

Beyond Villains -- Addressing Antagonists in Detail by Will Greenway

'Villain' is a dated term. It brings to mind a particular kind of bad guy that has become kind of a toothless foil in both the minds of writers and th...

How to Start Writing a Book from Scratch

Starting a book from scratch can be an exciting but daunting process. The thought of creating an entire world and bringing characters to life can be o...

Arrested Development by Karen S. Wiesner

Based on Bring Your Fiction to Life: Crafting Three-Dimensional Stories with Depth and Complexity and CPR for Dead or Lifeless Fiction {A Writer's Gui...

Deep, Multi-Faceted Development and Progression of Romantic Relationships By Karen S. Wiesner

Deep, Multi-Faceted Development and Progression of Romantic Relationships By Karen S. Wiesner   Based on CPR for Dead or Lifeless Fiction {A W...

Advance Your Career by Creating Story Folders by Karen S. Wiesner

Advance Your Career by Creating Story Folders by Karen S. Wiesner Based on Bring Your Fiction to Life: Crafting Three-Dimensional Stories with Depth...

How to Choose a Setting: Real or Fiction by Deborah Nolan

Choosing a Setting: Real or Fiction By Deborah Nolan   It's been said that location is another character in a story. I think that's true if...

Advice for New Authors by Karen S. Wiesner

First, I don’t believe there are absolutes in writing. There are so many writing trends, no-no’s, and must-do’s. I admit I find most of them silly. Th...

Avoid a Sagging Middle by Dee Lloyd

No middle should sag. The dragging, sagging pace of the middle of a romance is every bit as unattractive as the lax muscles of a person's physical mid...

Where do we find our heroes? by Deborah Nolan

WHERE DO WE FIND OUR HEROES? By Deborah Nolan   With Valentine's Day on the horizon I thought it would be a good time to talk about what mak...

How to Write Police Mystery Thrillers: Getting it Right! By John Schembra

Are you writing police mysteries thrillers? Want to get it right? I do, too, though I may have an advantage, having been a police officer for 30 years...

Blurb Writing Series, Part 2: Crafting Blurbs Overview by Karen Wiesner

Crafting Blurbs Overview by Karen Wiesner   Back Cover Blurbs A back cover blurb can be anywhere from one to four paragraphs. If the who...

Blurb Writing Series, Part 1: Judge a Book by its Back Cover Blurb by Karen Wiesner

Fact 1: Readers judge books by their back cover blurbs just as they might a cover.   Fact 2: Authors and publishers want them to! To have a...

Avoid Rejection... An Editor's Checklist by Dee Lloyd

During my six years as Acquisitions Editor for the now-defunct LTDBooks I must have read several thousand submissions. Many of the manuscripts I reluc...

The Stuff Series are Made of by Karen Wiesner

The Stuff Series Are Made Of By Karen S. Wiesner   "The disease of writing is dangerous and contagious," Abelard famously said to Heloise. S...

Scene business, style, and dialogue by Will Greenway

Scene business, style, and dialogue By Will Greenway Viewpoint is one the most important aspects of writing. It is the eye through which readers see...

World Building, Not Just for Genre Writers by Will Greenway

Writing: World Building, not just for genre writers By Will Greenway Overview When we see the term "world building", many writers tend to associa...

Writing: Dynamic Beginnings (2 of 2) by Will Greenway

Dynamic Beginnings (2 of 2) By Will Greenway If you read the material on Dynamic Beginnings and the 8 rules for starting a novel or short story, thi...

How To Write Dynamic Beginnings (1 of 2) by Will Greenway

Dynamic Beginnings (1 of 2) By Will Greenway The opening of your novel or short story is crucial. It must be well written, catchy, and evocative. So...