Pamela Koehne-Drube

“Could you please give some tips to maintain flow and pacing in fiction writing?“ As a new writer or someone looking to upski...

“I don’t know what genre my book is going to be. Is it really that important to know?” Genre is an essential concept that every cre...

Do you want to transport your readers to another world, to make them feel the emotions of your characters as if they were their own? Then...

Horror fiction is a genre that has captivated readers for centuries, from the Gothic tales of the 18th century to the modern psychologica...

NaNoWriMo is a great initiative. It forces us, once a year, to sit down and finally work on that book we’ve had in our heads, dying to ge...

It is no great mystery that prolific readers make the best writers. And few people in the world know more about stories than librarians. ...

Science fiction (aka SF or sci-fi) is a really versatile genre that covers a variety of topics and themes. It uses futuristic a...

Publishing a book is an exciting journey, but it’s not just about writing a great story. It’s also about presenting it in a w...

There’s a common misconception that because traditional publishers have contacts and marketing budgets to throw behind their releases, tr...

Every writer has a different style and voice, and a writer’s unique voice can have an enormous impact on how they determine the length of...

If you love music, you’ll love these playlists! We’ve added 6 more amazing playlists to our already-growing collection. From sweepi...

“Do any ungulates have any meaning? Like specific types of deer?“ Symbolism is one of the most important elements of any good...

If you’ve ever experienced writer’s block, you know how frustrating and demoralising it can be. There are plenty of ways to b...

“Do you have any tips for writing a slowburn romance?” For any writers who enjoy the act of writing romances, we know that feeling of wan...

Self-editing is an essential skill for any writer to have in their tool belt, no matter your publishing goal. Not only will it give your ...

If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in a sea of unfamiliar jargon while scrolling through social media or chatting with ...

My first attempt at the 24-hour novel challenge was back in 2022. I stumbled across the event by accident on Twitter and though...

Each year, in the last week of September, the world observes Banned Books Week. Started in 1982 in response to an increase in challenges ...

If the 24 Hour Novel challenge taught me anything, it’s the importance of writing playlists to boost your imagination. The right tr...

When you read a story that lingers in your mind long after you turn the final page, chances are, that story had a powerful theme at its c...

One of the most important elements to consider when writing is narrative voice. Narrative voice is the way in which you tell your story a...

The ABDCE structure is a great way to outline a short story. It stands for Action, Background, Development, Climax, and Ending. By follow...

“Tips on writing anthropomorphic animals? Been wanting to write a story/episodic novella based on my cat a la Sherlock Holmes meets...

On my 25th birthday, my sister gifted me a copy of Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules for Writing. Like most writers, I was constantly lookin...

As a writer, who’s first language is not English, how can I expand my vocabulary so I wouldn’t be too repetitive? I grew up in a bilingua...

If you plan to publish a book, it’s essential to get as much feedback as possible. Feedback is crucial for making sure your story is the ...

Plants can serve as powerful symbols, metaphors, and plot devices, adding depth and richness to your stories, and are a great thing to in...

To find your writer’s voice, it is important to understand what it is. Voice is an author’s style of writing, which includes choice of wo...

“Hello! Do you have any advice for indecisiveness when creating characters? I don’t have much trouble with creating conflict,...

The New York Times Bestseller list is the most famous list of bestselling books in the United States. It has been published weekly in The...

“How do I create laws/rules for my world-building?” Creating laws and rules is a crucial aspect of worldbuilding in any piece o...

“What is a good way to introduce side characters into a story without being overly descriptive” Interesting characters are essential to t...

There’s something special about a Cozy Mystery. They’re great escapism, and without the gore and violence so often associated with “hardb...

“How would you go about creating an interesting middle of a story?” As a creative writer, you know that the beginning and end of your sto...

It’s no secret that music and writing often go hand in hand. We’ve added 6 more amazing playlists for writing to Spotify that...

If you’re planning to publish a novel, then there is no greater resource than the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook. Every year,...

Have you ever wondered why some books have a preface and others don’t? Or what the difference is between an introduction and a fore...

Historical fiction combines elements of history with imaginative storytelling. It transports readers to different eras, from ancient civi...

The best way to be a writer is to write. But we all need inspiration from somewhere, and sometimes, the ideas just don’t flow. You can us...

The mystery and crime thriller genre has captivated readers for centuries, drawing them into a world of suspense, intrigue, and the darke...

Many creative writers get their start in fanfiction. Fanfiction can be a great way to practise your writing skills, get feedback from an ...

You’ve finished your manuscript, and you’re ready to pitch your novel to an agent. But how do you ensure your query letter wi...

Writing is both an art and a craft. Like any artistic pursuit, it requires a blend of talent, acquired skills, and plenty of practice. Bu...

The setting of your story is an integral part of the impact your book will have on readers. If I’m reading a book and the author de...

Are you a creative writer who wants to crank up the heat in your stories, but aren’t sure how to do it tastefully? Writing steamy c...

NetGalley is a platform aimed at the distribution of digital galleys, otherwise known as ARCs (Advance Reader Copies), or Proofs. It̵...

If you’ve ever felt the grip of a good book, unable to put it down, you understand the pull of a well-told story. Behind the scenes of yo...

You’re going to be putting a lot of time and effort into your book, so it’s important that it’s as good as it can be. With all the differ...

Every writer aims to tell a story that captivates, resonates, and stays with readers long after they turn the last page. Everybody wants ...

As a creative writer, your ability to create vivid, captivating worlds often depends on how well you can visualise the environment, chara...

You can’t get people to buy your book if they don’t know about it. It is up to you to make sure that your book gets seen by a...

Paranormal Romance is a genre that combines elements of the supernatural with the intricacies of romantic love. Often set in a world wher...

The romance genre is a tapestry of human emotions that has captivated the hearts of readers for centuries. With a myriad of sub-genres—ra...

The antihero has become an increasingly beloved figure in modern storytelling, captivating readers with their morally ambiguous nature an...

Your setting is fundamental to your story. It’s the backbone of your plot and is essential to providing narrative context, establishing t...

Ghostwriting is a central part of the publishing industry yet rarely discussed. Despite being involved in almost every aspect of the writ...

Writing is tough. You’re putting your work out there for everyone to judge, and sometimes that’s hard to do. You’ll get...

Navigating copyright law is an incredibly difficult part of the writing and publishing process. Writers aren’t experts on the law, so it’...

With the surge of reading roundups flooding our social feeds, we polled our writers on their favourite books of 2023. These books, divers...

Are you dreaming of writing a novel but don’t know where to start? Or perhaps you’ve started countless times but never made i...

The holiday season is a time of inspiration, with a wealth of stories waiting to be told. Whether you’re an experienced writer look...

Have you ever noticed the small logo on the spine of your favourite book and wondered what it is? That logo belongs to the publishing imp...

Mastering the art of the plot twist is one of the biggest challenges for a creative writer. A well-crafted twist not only keeps readers h...

Writers know that characters are one of the most important things for a story to be successful. But without fully developed, believable c...

Originating as an internet phenomenon, Dark Academia has captured the imaginations of both writers and readers. With its blend of intelle...

Writing is a skill that takes practice, but there is more to being a great writer than simply putting words on a page. Reading is an esse...

Dialogue tags can make or break a reader’s immersion in your dialogue. Great use of dialogue tags can result in clear, engaging, and memo...

Ever wondered how to effectively introduce yourself to your readers? An engaging, well-written author bio can do just that. In just a few...

How do you find out if a literary agent is right for you? If you’re not sure, you’re in good company. There’s no one-si...

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) has begun, and with it comes the fear of the quintessential writer’s dilemma: the dreaded ...

Today’s readers are more discerning than ever. They don’t want to see cookie-cutter villains who do evil for evil’s sake. They want to se...

Writing a book synopsis is probably one of the hardest parts of the submission process when you’re finally ready to find an agent to repr...

A subplot is a secondary plotline in your story. To write a good subplot, you should support and enhance the main story arc, adding depth...

Elle Botz is a mom, wife, author, coffee fiend, terrible dancer, and bad joke connoisseur. Writing under a variety of pen names, she brin...

A story resolution is one of the most important elements of your plot because it will leave the most impression on your reader. It resolv...

The perfect mixture of romance and humour, romantic comedies are the ideal escapist genre. They remind us of the fun and drama of being i...

There’s a popular assumption that because they are often short and simple, that writing children’s books is easy. But nothing could...

No matter what type of fantasy world you’re writing, it’s easy for your plot to feel one-note if you don’t practice wor...

The thrill of watching a character unfold and develop on the page is an experience like no other. But, it can be a challenge to truly und...

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 s...

As a creative writer, you build unique worlds and create characters who mean something to you and your readers. So how can you protect yo...

Carl Burkitt likes telling tales. He tells long tales, short tales, silly tales, sad tales, and tells them online, behind a mic, in books...

Picking the right tense for the story you want to tell is an often overlooked part of narrative development. Writing tenses consistently ...

There is nothing quite like the feeling of finishing off a chapter that you’re really happy with. You’ve hit all the beats just right, th...

In the world of historical fiction, authenticity can make a world of difference. Well-researched novels transport readers to a different ...

ISBNs sound like a scary hoop that authors have to jump through, so let’s take a moment to unravel the mystery and give you a bit more cl...

Last year I attended the London Book Fair. It was a fantastic experience where I got to mingle with other writers, meet publishers, and h...

The dream of many writers is to make it a full-time profession. For full-time writers, it’s easy to build and plan your day around ...

We don’t always write when the mood of our surroundings matches the mood of what we’re writing. It’s hard to write abou...

Have you ever been completely engrossed in a book and found yourself desperately invested in its characters? Those characters more than l...

While there are many paths you can take to get your book out into the world, there are three main routes to publishing. Traditional publi...

Show, don’t tell is probably the most common piece of writing advice out there. And there’s a reason for it. It’s the single most powerfu...

Horror is one of the most enduring genres of fiction. It touches something within us – letting us explore our most primal emotions....

For writers who plot, the blank page before you start outlining your story is perhaps the most daunting of all. No matter how good the co...

Have you ever read back something you’ve written and felt like it’s not quite as strong as you’d like? We all have crutch words that we o...

Music has inspired people for generations. It helps guide our emotions, can change our moods, and even act as catharsis in times of emoti...

It’s so easy to delete your words. Don’t like what you’ve written? A blank slate is just the touch of a button away. In the moment it can...

If you’ve got an idea for a story, but are stuck on how to bring your characters to life, then there’s an easy formula to give you a head...

Self-publishing has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more writers opting to take control of the publication pro...

A galley proof, also known as an advance copy, ARC (advance reader copy), uncorrected proof, or just galley or proof, is a crucial part o...

There is no better teacher than criticism. And rejection, no matter what form it takes, is just a form of criticism. While true criticism...

This post was originally written for the Cover Kitchen blog and can be read in its original form here. Writing a good book blurb is one o...

If you want to build a career, there are several ways to make money as a writer. How much you can make and what path you have to take to ...

Just like a muscle, you need to exercise your creativity. Writing is a skill that develops, not just one you have, and like any skill, yo...

Writing prompts aren’t hard to come by. There are entire websites and books dedicated to just that very thing. After a while, though, the...

Reading and writing go hand in hand. To be a truly great writer, you must immerse yourself in the written word. It’s a deeply personal cr...

Anyone who did a creative writing class at school will remember the lesson to avoid repetition in your writing. I’m here to give you some...

Do you ever struggle to stay motivated or focused on your writing? Losing motivation is one of the biggest causes of burnout among creati...

Twitter has become a popular platform for the writing community. You’ll often find authors sharing their work, engaging with their reader...

Subtext is a powerful tool in creative writing. It spans every genre, and we even use it in everyday life (passive aggression and flirtin...

Podcasts are an excellent way for writers to stay inspired, informed, and connected. They let authors share their expertise, honed over y...

At Novlr, we’re as passionate about reading as we are about writing! We are always on the lookout for the next great book recommendation....

As writers, we often rely on our own internal muses to guide us through the creative process. But sometimes, a little external inspiratio...

In this series, we interview published Novlr authors to learn about their work, routines, and how they use Novlr. Alice Aagaard is a Dani...

In this series, we interview published Novlr authors to learn about their work, routines, and how they use Novlr. Heidi Stephens has spen...

Despite their reputation for mindless gore, zombie books can be a lot more nuanced than you expect. Zombie and vampire fiction often shin...

NaNoWriMo is a great way to kickstart your writing habit. The process of writing 50,000 words in a month gives you the momentum and motiv...

As some of you may have followed on Twitter, in the last week of June I participated in the 24 Hour Novel challenge. Writers from all ove...

In this series, we interview published Novlr authors to learn about their work, routines, and how they use Novlr. D.A. (Dana) W...

There’s nothing quite like the perfect playlist to get you in the mood to write. We’ve put together six more mood, scene, and...

In this series, we interview published Novlr authors to learn about their work, routines, and how they use Novlr. Shameka Erby ...

Looking for something new to read this year? Black History Month isn’t the only time to amplify Black voices, so we’ve put together...

Outlining a novel can be the hardest part of any writing journey, so having the right tool for the job is absolutely essential. The more ...

As the subject of countless films, plays, and adaptations, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is perhaps the most long-lived Christ...

People write for a number of reasons, all of which are personal. Whether you’re a writer writing for your own pleasure, or someone lookin...

With the cold winter fully set in, Michael Bublé emerging from hibernation, and Chris Rea beginning his annual drive home, we know the co...

Daniel Verastiqui is a Science Fiction author from Austin, Texas. His books explore the themes of relationships and identity in the conte...

There are no hard and fast rules on when is the best time to write. For many, creativity doesn’t strike at set times, so writing any time...

Are you the kind of writer who is already hard at work as the sun comes up? Do you do your best writing in the morning, where your produc...

If you’re a writer who does most of their writing in the evening, you’re a rare breed. Evening writers belong in that twilight zone betwe...

Halloween is about all things spooky, but sometimes, especially when we’re young, things can start to feel a little overwhelming. No matt...

October is one of my favourite times of the year to read. There’s something about the change of season and the shared themes that just ge...