Craft

Close reading of things people have actually seen, for what it teaches.

• Stop Telling Me Everyone's Backstory

  Too much backstory can kill a novel's momentum. Learn when readers need character history, when to hold it back and how to make them want it.

• What Jaws Can Teach You About Writing Dialogue

  Jaws shows why great dialogue starts with what each character wants. Learn how competing objectives create conflict, subtext and distinctive characters.

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A one-page tracker for the draft you are on, plus one piece a week about finishing it.

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