Build the Bridge: 3 Kinds of Transitions
When a scene shifts to a new setting, time, or POV without clearly bridging that gap, we risk losing readers’ trust and goodwill.
https://janefriedman.com/build-the-bridge-3-kinds-of-transitions/
#FictionCraft
Base Your Story Structure on Principles, Not Systems
There’s no one-size-fits-all way to structure a story, so understanding the core principles will help you decide what’s right for yours.
https://janefriedman.com/base-your-story-structure-on-principles-not-systems/
The Fine Line Between a Hook and a Heartbreak
How to master the art of the cliffhanger without breaking your reader's trust. Continue reading on The Writing Cooperative »
https://writingcooperative.com/the-fine-line-between-a-hook-and-a-heartbreak-cdf8752ad4a
#fictioncraft #creativewriting #books #storytelling #writing
Embrace Quirky: 5 Benefits of Using Animal Point-of-View Characters
By observing our own species through the eyes of another, something new just might be revealed to us.
https://janefriedman.com/embrace-quirky-5-benefits-of-using-animal-point-of-view-characters/
Writing Beyond Ourselves
Writing outside our lived experience isn’t just about getting facts right—it’s also about learning who we are when we truly listen to others.
https://janefriedman.com/writing-beyond-ourselves/
The Crucial Ingredient Your Story May Be Missing
If you’re hearing that your story lacks structure or impact, you might be missing the interconnected cohesion of plot, stakes, and character.
https://janefriedman.com/the-crucial-ingredient-your-story-may-be-missing/
The Case for Shrinking Your Novel
Even experienced novelists overwrite. Here are five insights about ruthlessly cutting a manuscript—and why that’s a good thing.
https://janefriedman.com/the-case-for-shrinking-your-novel/
Edit Your Book As If It’s a Screenplay
A writer’s script-editing experience helped fix her novel’s problems with pacing, flat characters, and scenes that didn’t propel the story.
https://janefriedman.com/edit-your-book-as-if-its-a-screenplay/
Crafting Ethical and Moral Dilemmas in Crime Fiction
In crime fiction, the most powerful moments often aren’t about car chases or shootouts—they’re about impossible choices.
https://janefriedman.com/crafting-ethical-and-moral-dilemmas-in-crime-fiction/
Using the Workplace to Add Depth to Your Novel
Using the workplace as more than a backdrop can supercharge the stakes, conflict, and character development of your fiction.
https://janefriedman.com/using-the-workplace-to-add-depth-to-your-novel/
Make Good Knots: How Learning to Knit Saved My Novel
Learning to knit renewed one author’s confidence, allowing her to take a risk revising a manuscript that was already out on submission.
https://janefriedman.com/make-good-knots-how-learning-to-knit-saved-my-novel/
Prologues That Work and Why
Prologues get a bad rap as backstory or info dumps but, done well, they can intrigue readers and ignite interest in the story to come.
https://janefriedman.com/prologues-that-work/
Coach Your Characters: A Life Coach’s Toolkit Offers a New Lens
Life coaches help clients gain insights about how we shape our own life stories, and the same tools can be used to create richer characters.
https://janefriedman.com/coach-your-characters-a-life-coachs-toolkit-offers-a-new-lens/
What Does It Mean to Have a Compelling Voice in Your Story?
In storytelling, voice can refer to three different elements: character voice, narrative voice, and author voice—and they can often overlap.
https://janefriedman.com/what-does-it-mean-to-have-a-compelling-voice-in-your-story/
Writing Lessons from Jane Austen: Cause and Effect in Pride and Prejudice
While many 19th century novels have fallen by the wayside, Austen’s continual appeal may be understood in the way she built her plots.
https://janefriedman.com/writing-lessons-from-jane-austen-cause-and-effect-in-pride-and-prejudice/
Breaking Bread: The Role of Food in Building Character
Food is a powerful storytelling element that can help develop characters, and a great tool for putting ‘show, don’t tell’ into practice.
https://janefriedman.com/breaking-bread-the-role-of-food-in-building-character/
Ever feel the urge to explain everything up front in your story? 😬
Today’s #TonyTipsTuesdays breaks down why info dumps hurt pacing—and how to replace them with flow, mystery, and character-led discovery.
📚 Full post here: https://wix.to/gfRFvIE
#WritingTips #ShowNotTell #StoryFlow #WriterLife #FictionCraft
Write Where You Know
Whether you choose a real or fictional location, the more detail and depth you can infuse into your setting, the better you’ll draw readers into your story.
https://janefriedman.com/write-where-you-know/
Developing Antagonism in Your Story
The more clearly you develop and articulate antagonism in your story, the more your protagonist’s struggle and victory will shine.
https://janefriedman.com/developing-antagonism-in-your-story/
How to Turn Real Family Stories Into Compelling Historical Fiction
The stories we carry from our families may seem ordinary, but fictionalizing them can honor our roots and keep them alive for future generations.
https://janefriedman.com/how-to-turn-real-family-stories-into-compelling-historical-fiction/
Client Info
Server: https://mastodon.social
Version: 2025.07
Repository: https://github.com/cyevgeniy/lmst