Emma Riva is a writer based in Pittsburgh. She is the founder of Petrichor Magazine and a contributor to publications such as Artforum, The Art Newspaper, and Whitehot Magazine. She has worked for Atmosphere as an interior designer for 3 years and worked in book design in some form for almost 10.
The magic happens when you stop thinking about writing for an age group and start thinking about writing to real people who just happen to be that age. Kids aren’t small adults, teenagers aren’t dramatic kids, and adults aren’t just older teenagers. Each group has its own wisdom, its own way of seeing the world, and its own stories that need telling.
As authors and writers, we are drawn to the allure of sharing our stories with the world, but the digital landscape can be treacherous. While legitimate platforms exist, the internet is also rife with scams preying on the dreams of aspiring authors. It’s essential to arm ourselves with knowledge and discernment to navigate this terrain successfully.
The best villains aren’t just obstacles to overcome—they’re complex characters who challenge our protagonists in meaningful ways, force growth, and sometimes even make us question our own moral compass. Let me walk you through the essential elements that separate forgettable bad guys from truly compelling antagonists!
In this post, we’ll walk you through the essentials of devotional writing across different styles—from traditional Bible-based devotionals to spiritually-inspired and personal-themed reflections. This balanced approach will help you decide the style that fits your voice and audience, and give you practical tools to create devotionals that truly resonate!
Kiss scenes come in many shapes and sizes, and what resonates most depends on your story’s tone, the characters involved, and the emotions at play. Whether it’s tender, fiery, awkward, or transformative, the best kiss scenes fit naturally within your narrative and deepen the connection between your characters!
In this post, we’ll unpack why your one-sentence pitch carries such weight, common pitfalls to avoid, and actionable tips for crafting a pitch that grabs attention and leaves industry professionals wanting more. Whether you’re querying an agent or writing your book’s blurb, understanding this skill is vital to your success.
Let’s explore essential techniques to help you build dystopian worlds that feel vivid and believable, create characters readers care deeply about, and weave themes that provoke thought long after the final page. By the end of this post, you’ll have a solid foundation to write dystopian fiction that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impact!
There’s something about true crime that grips the imagination. Maybe it’s the high-stakes mystery, the dark window into human behavior, or the relentless pursuit of justice… Whatever the draw, learning how to write true crime is not for the faint of heart! It demands accuracy, empathy, persistence, and, above all, a deep respect for the real lives behind every story.
The 1-3-1 Rule offers guidance at every stage of the writing journey, from crafting your initial draft to navigating the publishing landscape. Understanding how to apply this framework effectively can transform a scattered collection of ideas into a cohesive, purposeful narrative that resonates with readers!
Most writing advice focuses on familiar models like three-act structure or the hero’s journey, but structure is far more than just a plot template. The right structure acts as a bridge between your story and your reader’s emotions. It can transform a simple tale into an immersive experience that resonates long after the final page.
Space opera isn’t just science fiction with lasers. It’s a genre all its own—defined as much by tone and scope as setting. While the science can be soft, the stakes are rarely anything less than galactic.
These seven elements—character, plot, setting, point of view, theme, style, and structure—form the bones of any solid narrative. Whether you’re outlining your first draft or deep into revisions, understanding how these components work together can help you craft a more compelling, cohesive, and publishable story.
Finding your way into writing—whether it’s the first project or the fiftieth—can feel strangely difficult. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the writing itself, but the getting started. What helps most is having a few steady tools, a bit of structure, and a mindset that keeps the pressure low while the momentum builds. With the right approach, that overwhelming blank page can start to look a lot more inviting!
Writing for blogs is not the same as writing a book, a short story, or even an academic article. It requires a unique approach, tone, and strategy to capture the online reader’s attention. The key is to understand the art of writing blogs, what makes them stand out, and how to maximize your reach in an oversaturated digital landscape.
While memoir, middle grade, and YA may not be the most popular genres to write in today, they offer a wealth of opportunity for authors who are willing to take on the challenge. These genres are ripe for fresh voices, authentic stories, and new perspectives that resonate with readers in meaningful ways.
For many poets, social media can seem daunting. The idea of reducing profound emotions into character limits or crafting an aesthetically pleasing post may feel foreign. But with the right strategy, social media can transform a poet’s reach, turning casual browsers into devoted readers.
There’s something powerful about putting emotions into words. When we write stories or poetry, we aren’t just expressing feelings—we’re transforming them. Whether creating a character who struggles like we do or crafting a metaphor that captures something too difficult to say outright, writing helps us work through emotions that might otherwise stay bottled up.
A writing retreat is a dedicated period of time and space set aside specifically for writing. During a retreat, you can focus entirely on your creative projects without the usual interruptions from everyday life. This focused time can lead to increased productivity, enhanced creativity, and a deeper connection to your writing.
Perfectionism in writing often arises from a fear of failure or criticism. We set impossibly high standards, believing that anything less than perfection is unacceptable. This mindset creates a vicious cycle: fear leads to procrastination, procrastination breeds guilt, and guilt reinforces the belief that we are “failing” as writers.