“Where language becomes a lantern, and each word helps you find your way home to yourself.”

How to Write Dialogue— Creating Realistic Conversations

How to Write Dialogue— Creating Realistic Conversations

Think about all the people you know and what it is about their personalities that stand out to you. I’ll bet in at least some cases, your answer is based on how they speak. For example, the guy at the office who uses a certain phrase all the time, or the lady who lives down the block who always seems to be chomping on a stick of chewing gum and cracking it in between sentences. Or maybe you know someone sarcastic—always saying one thing but meaning another, in a mean or nice way. Or you have an uncle who is always cracking jokes, or an aunt who talks veeeeerrrrryyyy slooooowly. These types of characteristics make a person unique and memorable. The same applies to characters in a book.

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Top 20 Creative Writing/Novel Writing Influencers
Jill Shearer Jill Shearer

Top 20 Creative Writing/Novel Writing Influencers

In the ever-evolving landscape of writing and publishing, finding the right guidance and inspiration can make all the difference for aspiring and experienced authors alike. Whether you're looking to refine your craft, navigate the complexities of the publishing world, or find innovative marketing strategies, the right influencer can provide invaluable insights. We've curated a list of the top 20 influencers in the creative writing and novel writing industry, each offering unique resources, advice, and support to help you on your writing journey. From well-known experts to emerging voices, these influencers provide a wealth of knowledge to elevate your writing and publishing efforts.

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The Best-Selling Thriller and Detective Novelists of 2020-2024
Jill Shearer Jill Shearer

The Best-Selling Thriller and Detective Novelists of 2020-2024

Between 2020 and 2024, the thriller and detective fiction genres saw several authors rise to the top of bestseller lists. These authors, including James Patterson, Tana French, David Baldacci, Michael Connelly, Kathy Reichs, and Dennis Lehane, distinguished themselves through their masterful storytelling and consistent ability to captivate and entertain their readers. The other day, I was curious about these authors and what they might have in common, as well as what we could learn by analyzing their work. So, I turned to my good friend, ChatGTP, and conducted a kind of interview. A transcript of this “talk” is listed below. I thought some of you might find this interesting, especially as I went deeper and asked for more information and explanations. Enjoy!

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Mountain landscape with a lake and cloudy sky

 

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