Welcome to the Reading Room
Join us with a cuppa and settle in for expert writing advice, writing and publishing tips, book reviews, and your questions answered!
How do you introduce a new character?
"You may have already done this, but how would you write a character's introduction?" The old adage, “Never judge a book by it’s cover” applies to more than just books. First impressions matter, both in life and in fiction. The way a writer introduces a character can...
A Writer’s Guide to Recommended Word Counts
There are no hard and fast rules for how long your book or story must be, but there are recommended word counts that can help you reach success. They are not only excellent guidelines to help manage reader expectations but are essential to finding agent representation...
How do you balance multiple points of view?
"I'm writing a story with multiple POVs, how should I balance the story out so every MC gets equal time? I want to make sure I'm being fair to all my characters." Writing from multiple points of view (POVs) can feel like juggling, constantly trying to keep all your...
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!
Are casual character actions necessary, or just clutter?
"How often should I describe a character's "casual actions"? For example, when two of my characters are talking, I'll add in little actions so the conversation isn't just full of dialogue tags. But then I go back and read it and realize I just made them cross/uncross...
What are the pros and cons of different publishing routes?
"What are the pros and cons of self publishing, choosing a small press, or going down the trad publishing route?" Every writer's journey to publication is unique, and there's no "right" path that works for everyone. The publishing landscape has transformed...
How do you write love at first sight?
"Hey sorry if this has been asked already but could you give any tips on how to write a character falling in love at first sight or i suppose infatuation. Like dumbstruck by how attractive they find the person if front of them, thanks" That electric moment when two...
