Welcome to the Reading Room
Join us with a cuppa for expert writing advice, writing, editing, and publishing tips, book reviews, and your questions answered!
How do you write a platonic relationship?
"How do you make readers see that the characters you are writing about have a platonic relationship and not a romantic one without someone asking the question or the character just saying it? Like how do you show it without saying or writing particular words?" This is...
The Art of the Plot Twist: How to Keep Your Audience Guessing
A plot twist is a sudden, unexpected turn of events in a story that changes the plot’s direction or reveals a previously unknown fact. These twists can be a great way to keep readers engaged and add an element of surprise to a story. It’s the story element that helps...
How do you write an Agent query letter?
"I've often seen many publications and publishers often require a cover letter for submissions alongside the work itself. Do you have any advice on how to make a decent cover letter when submitting fiction?" If you’ve been writing for a while, or you’ve been doing...
Got a Question? Ask Novlr!
Want to know more about a certain aspect of writing or need more general advice or inspiration? We’re here to help!
Why do writers love to torture their characters?
“Why do writers love to torture their own characters so much?" One word: conflict. Conflict is the chef’s kiss in a story. The secret sauce to writing from plot to scene level. And the real reason a reader will enjoy your story and character. I love pretty prose and...
How do I turn a writing prompt into a story?
“Do you have any tips on how to turn a writing prompt into a full-fledged (long) story? Where do you turn when you run low on creative fuel? Writing prompts can be a great way to get your mental faucets flowing, as well as encouraging you to work within professional...
How do I strengthen my writing?
"How do I strengthen my writing? I tend to fall back on bad habits because I can't find good habits to replace them." It’s a tale as old as cuneiform: you have an amazing idea for a story, but when you look at your inky splotches on the page (or a wall of digital...
