Hey, Better Writers! You’ve written the novel, wrestled with your critique partners, and revised until your manuscript is a polished gem. Now, you’re ready to send it out into the world—cue the confetti—but wait… what’s this? Literary agents want a query letter, the first 10 pages, AND a synopsis? Hold up. How on earth are […]
5 Key Elements to Crafting a Strong Synopsis Read More »
Hey, traditional publishing hopefuls! Still holding off on submitting your queries to literary agents? You’ve got your pitch down, your query letter is sparkling, but those opening pages… maybe not quite where you want them to be? Well, fear not! Here’s 5 strategies to hook an agent in 10 pages or less: 1. A compelling
5 Strategies to Blow Any Literary Agent’s Mind with Your Opening Pages Read More »
Hey, busy writers! Happy New Year! Whether you’re still riding the high of finishing that manuscript or you’re just diving into your new year goals, it’s time to talk about something that might have you feeling a little anxious—the query letter. You know, the all-important letter you send out to literary agents when you’re looking
5 Secrets for a Killer Query Letter That Will Hook Any Agent Read More »
Hey, busy writers! How’s the revision process treating you? We get it—you want that manuscript to be perfect for your future agent, publisher, and all those eager readers (not to mention your mom). But trimming the fat can be a nightmare. Don’t worry, Better Writing in 5 is here to help! You’ve probably heard the
5 Darlings to Kill in Your Manuscript (and Why You Should) Read More »
Hey, busy writers! How are those stories coming along? With the new year upon us, it’s the perfect time to dig into fresh, exciting projects—or finally tackle those shiny, new goals, like querying your dream agent or even self-publishing your first book. But where should you start? How about with your character? Crafting a unique
5 Ways to Write Unique Character Descriptions Read More »
Let’s face it: you’re a writer with a million ideas swirling around your head, and you’re trying to squeeze them all into one story. But here’s the catch: the more you add, the slower you write. A complicated plot can bog you down with endless twists, subplots, and world-building details. If you want to speed
How to Avoid Over-Complicating Your Plot and Write Faster Read More »
Let’s face it, as a writer, you’ve probably spent way too many hours trying to figure out the perfect backstory for your characters—only to realize that it’s 3 AM and you still don’t know if your protagonist likes coffee or tea. You’ve got a story to write, but who has time to spend weeks developing
Create Deep Characters Without the Deep Work Read More »
Hey, writers! Welcome to another edition of Better Writing in 5, where we help you crush your writing goals while resisting the urge to Google “What is my book even about?” If you haven’t written a word yet, outlining your novel can feel like trying to untangle Christmas lights after they’ve been in the attic
How to Outline Your Novel in 5 Easy Steps Read More »
Hey writers! Welcome back to Better Writing in 5, where we’re tackling every aspect of your writing journey—5 steps at a time. We’ve all been there: staring at a blank screen, unsure of what happens next in your story. Writer’s block may all be in your head, but it’s certainly no joke. Don’t worry, you’re
5 Ways to Get Unstuck When Your Story Loses Direction Read More »
Welcome back, NaNoWriMo Warriors! Can you believe the holidays are creeping up already? Hopefully, your word count is looking more “almost-there” than “what-was-I-thinking?” This week, we’re diving into a NaNoWriMo obstacle that trips up many of us: the need for just one more bit of research before we can keep writing. Trust, we’ve all been
5 Tips to Do Research on the Fly During NaNoWriMo Read More »