Check your Story Pulse book cover - teal with a drawing of the heartbeat line and the heart
Check Your Story Pulse

Be true to your story

Fiction

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When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy: A Story Lab Breakdown

Why Nat Cassidy's 'When the Wolf Comes Home' is a masterclass in storytelling and horror.
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Why Your Protagonist Needs More to Lose

Story stakes decide whether readers root for your protagonist or stop reading. Here's how to build them.
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The Art of the Detail: How to Choose What Belongs on the Page

The best details in fiction aren't decorative - they serve a purpose. Here's how to choose which ones belong on the page and which ones don't.
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When the Story Isn't on the Page

Your manuscript might have great characters and vivid scenes, but it's missing a story. Here's how to check.
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The Missing Ingredient: Why Your Characters' Motivation Matters

Flat characters often come down to one missing ingredient: motivation. Here's how you can bring them to life.
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Opening Page Magic: How to Hook Readers

Your opening page needs to make opening page irresistible. Here's how.
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Introduce a Character Without Falling Into Clichés

Introduce your characters with purpose and meaning. Find out how.
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The Roses: A Study in Emotional Storytelling

A dark comedy breakdown for writers who crave deeper craft.
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When Characters Go Off-Script (and Why You Should Let Them)

Discovery scenes are short, exploratory scenes you write to uncover your characters’ true motivations. Here's how to use them.
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Why ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ Isn’t the Whole Story

Struggling with ‘show, don’t tell’? Learn what it is, how to use it and why it matters.
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