Five great ways to combat writer’s block
You’re sitting at your computer, staring at a blank document. You’re poised in front of your notebook, but can’t seem to move your pen. Sound familiar? Writer’s block strikes again. But you don’t have...
View ArticleHow to write a blurb for your book
Learning how to write a blurb is an art in and of itself. More than just summarizing what a book is all about, a blurb needs to grab readers’ attention, engage their interest, and compel them to...
View ArticleThe Five Best Books on Writing
When it comes to books about writing, there are endless guides and manuals that can teach you what to do—and what not to do. Many books find their way onto our writer’s shelves and never leave. But...
View ArticleIntroducing StoryWorth: An Easy Way to Write Memoirs
My dad turned 86 this year. He was born in Berlin in 1930 and moved to Detroit when he was 3 years old. After serving in the Navy in the fifties, he then went to law school on the GI Bill. He traveled...
View ArticleHow to Publish a Poetry Book on Your Own
Last year, some of the best-selling books in the world were poetry books, created by Instagram Poets like Rupi Kaur, Atticus, Nayyirah Waheed, and Nikita Gill. These poets, whose work appears in visual...
View Article15 writing websites and online resources to help you write your own story
Just like any craft or task, having the right tools for the job can make writing your own story or short story much easier. There are myriad writing online resources and websites out there to help with...
View ArticleHow to write a fantasy novel
The commercial success of fantasy series such as J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books and George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones saga means that the fantasy genre is amongst the most popular book...
View ArticleHow to Write a Book Proposal and Why You Need One to Publish
All publishers are gamblers. Your job, as a writer or photographer who wants to be published, is to convince them that your project is a good bet. They are trying to select, from an enormous pile of...
View Article50 book ideas for writing a book you can start today
Maybe you haven’t brought your book ideas to life yet because you’re afraid it means hiding away, churning out page after page, writing a novel or short story that may never be finished. Or maybe...
View Article9 free book-writing apps you should be using
So, you’ve got a great idea for a book. You sit down at your computer, ready for the words to flow out of your imagination and onto the screen. How hard can it be? In reality, very hard! Having a great...
View ArticleWhat is a memoir?
While there are many different styles and types of memoirs, all examples of this genre will share two defining characteristics. Firstly, a memoir is autobiographical, meaning it is based on the...
View ArticleHow to come up with a good book title: 14 tips
While it may feel like a simple few words, the title of your book is what gives it the best chance of being read. It is the first thing that your potential audience will read before they even open the...
View ArticleHow to Write a Good Book Review
Have you ever thought about writing a book review, but weren’t sure where to begin? You aren’t alone. Sharing your feedback with other book lovers can feel intimidating. Plus, if you write it, you want...
View ArticleAutobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir
The three primary formats of a memory book, used to tell a life story, are a biography, an autobiography, and a memoir. Distinguishing between the three can feel a bit confusing since they all share...
View Article5 tips for writing a memoir
Have you always wanted to write a memoir, but felt intimidated by the process? Or maybe you’ve had a story in your head for years, but have never seemed to be able to get it down on paper. Writing a...
View ArticleHow to write a book: beginners guide
So you’ve decided to write a book. Now what? The blank page can be daunting for writers at any career stage or experience level, and especially so for beginners. Getting those first few paragraphs (or...
View ArticleHow to become a children’s author
The most beloved children’s books, the ones you remember long into adulthood, inspire a sense of joy, adventure, magic, and wonder. As an aspiring writer, you might read those stories and wonder how...
View ArticleHow to Write a Short Story in 10 Steps
If writing a novel feels too daunting, start with writing a short story! Writing short fiction allows you to test out your story ideas and develop your own creative writing style while having a clear...
View ArticleWhat is a short story?
Compared to novels, short stories often get overlooked as an art form, but these singular works of fiction deserve a closer look. Short stories give readers all the compelling characters, drama, and...
View ArticleWhat Is a Paperback Book?
If you are like those of us here at Blurb, then your mind never wanders too far from the comforting thought of books. We all have our favorite authors, our life-changing reads, and our massive...
View ArticleWhat’s a novella?
In the world of creative fiction, great stories come in all sizes and styles. You’ve probably read best-selling novels and breezed through some action-packed short stories. But did you know there is a...
View ArticleHow to become a better writer
From beginners sitting down to write their first story to experienced authors working on a third or fourth book, everyone has the potential to improve their writing skills. That’s part of the challenge...
View ArticleWhat is figurative language?
As a writer or speaker, sometimes you want to use the most simple, direct language to get your point across. Other times you want to get creative and find a unique way to express yourself. That’s where...
View ArticleWhat is Flash Fiction?
When asked to name a favorite work of fiction, most people list a novel, or occasionally a short story. Flash fiction rarely makes the cut—maybe it feels too wild, too condensed, or too...
View ArticleHow to create a writing schedule
Writers working in every genre and at every experience level face the same question at some point in time: How do I start writing every day? Establishing and maintaining a writing schedule and routine...
View ArticleWhat is story structure?
Story structure is an essential element of any book—whether you’re a fiction writer, photographer, or even cookbook author. It is the way storytellers create a path for their narrative, with its peaks...
View ArticleHow to Hire a Book Editor
When you’re preparing to self-publish your book, it can be tempting to think that a DIY edit will be just as effective as hiring an editor, yet that rarely turns out to be true. An experienced book...
View ArticleHow to edit a book yourself
Every publishing plan should allow time for editing and proofreading to ensure you’re putting the best version of your book in print. While it’s ideal to enlist a colleague or hire a professional...
View ArticleHow to write a novella in 9 easy steps
For centuries, novellas have sparked the imaginations of writers and readers worldwide. Too long to be a short story and too short to be a novel—the novella embodies the best of both genres, making it...
View ArticleHow to write a poem
What makes a poem?Nobody knows.They just agree:It isn’t prose. A poem can be almost anything. It can be an amorphous, scattershot stream of consciousness or a carefully structured narrative with...
View ArticleList of important literary devices that every author should know
The world’s best writers use dozens of literary devices and techniques to add impact and intrigue to their work. You likely use a bunch of these devices already. Many are natural parts of language and...
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