The Chopping Blog

Sanderson's masterful intertwining of family dynamics with the epic fantasy setting offers a rich, multi-layered narrative experience that showcases his ability to blend personal motivations with grand-scale storytelling.

While every genre is susceptible to the problem of info-dumping, it is most commonly an issue in speculative and historical fiction where world-building is of prime importance.

Obstacles in a plot are like roadblocks a character must get around. Reversals, however, require a total change of direction.

In crafting The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho dared to prioritize narrative context—in this case his personal philosophy—over traditional story elements like subplots and character development.

The complexity that we would normally find in subplots instead takes the form of extensive world-building.

CJ normally writes Viking fiction, but this time he takes us into the American fur trade for an adventure brimming with romance.

Understanding industry genres isn't just about fitting into a box; it's about connecting with readers who are looking for books just like yours.

An engaging memoir, while rooted in reality, employs the same narrative devices that make novels compelling.

The counsel to "kill your darlings" has been repeated many times by many editors, writers, and writing instructors.

I would suggest researching a literary agent's social media pages. For instance, writers can read about me and some of the books I represent on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. That will lend a good sense for the type of books I have worked with and what I am currently looking to represent.

As the leaves turn and the days shorten, a different kind of transformation is at hand for writers worldwide.

"Napoleon drives the story from beginning to end."