Writing Advice Archives : JamiFairleigh.com

Image description: cover of story genius over image of woman reading multiple books

Book Review: Story Genius by Lisa Cron

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Jami Fairleigh

Story Genius by Lisa Cron Story Genius: Ten Speed Press (2016) 267 Pages Amazon | Bookshop.org Book Description It's every novelist's greatest fear: pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into writing hundreds of pages only to realize that their story...Read More

One Word At A Time

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Jami Fairleigh

We've now passed the mid-point of the month and according to my NaNoWriMo graph, my manuscript progress should be 28,333 words. So, am I going to win NaNoWriMo 2023? No. But I am a chapter closer to the end of...Read More

Write Your Hobby

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Jami Fairleigh

One of the easiest ways to write what you know is to incorporate something you know well, like a hobby, into your novel. Granted, I am a hobby person. So much so that I've taken to saying my hobby is...Read More

Tips for Writing Your Book’s Acknowledgements

Posted on February 3, 2023 by Jami Fairleigh

One of the last steps of book production is writing your acknowledgements section. But why? Who? And most importantly, how? First, deep breath. Second, an acknowledgements section is not required. If the thought of writing one freaks you out, you...Read More

10 Tips To Blast Past Your Blank Page

Posted on December 9, 2022 by Jami Fairleigh

The blank page can be one of the most intimidating things a writer faces. If you have a drawerful of pristine notebooks, you know exactly what I mean. But why? Yes, the blank page can mean limitless possibilities, success, and...Read More

Revive Your Flagging NaNo Project

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Jami Fairleigh

NaNo writers, this is your mid-month wellness check. How are your projects going? If you're rocking NaNo 2022, keep typing! You probably won't see this article until December, anyway. But if your schedule has slipped and your word-count graph is...Read More

Character Goals and Motivations

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Jami Fairleigh

In our last week of prepping for NaNoWriMo, it's time to ponder your character's goals and motivations. For previous "Preptober" articles, check out How to develop Your Story Idea, Develop Your Characters, and 50 Questions to Build Your Fictional World....Read More

50 Questions to Build Your Fictional World

Posted on October 21, 2022October 28, 2022 by Jami Fairleigh

All writers world build. Although sometimes attributed to science fiction and fantasy writers, anyone who creates a fictional community or describes an imaginary setting is world building. The goal when world building is to create an authentic setting that can...Read More

Develop Your Characters

Posted on October 14, 2022October 28, 2022 by Jami Fairleigh

Stories are about characters. Who they are, what they did, and why they did it drives your story forward and keeps your readers hooked until the end. Even if you're writing plot-driven tales, your readers should care about, or at...Read More

How to Develop Your Story Idea

Posted on October 7, 2022October 28, 2022 by Jami Fairleigh

It's October, and if you're considering joining in the NaNoWriMo fun this year, it's time to develop your story idea! Assuming you're not already brimming with ideas, here are ten ways to generate them. But once you do land on...Read More

Enrich Your Writing with Sensory Details

Posted on July 1, 2022 by Jami Fairleigh

Using sensory details in your writing is one of the best ways to capture your reader's attention. This is because incorporating sensory details empowers a reader to create a vivid mental picture of the scene. Not only do sensory words...Read More

5 Reasons to Journal About Your Writing

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Jami Fairleigh

A journal is a terrific instrument for self-reflection and awareness, but did you know it's also a helpful writing tool? By documenting your thoughts and feelings about your writing, you can strengthen your resilience and make important connections between who...Read More