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Check Your Story Pulse

Be true to your story

Fiction

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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.
A dark stage with two stage lights, one from each corner, meeting in the middle

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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Why Writing Short Stories Will Make You a Better Novelist

Why writing short fiction is the secret weapon every novelist needs in their toolbox.
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5 Common Mistakes in Opening Chapters

Discover five common mistakes in opening chapters and learn how to address them.
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