by Ali | Jan 23, 2026 | Fiction
How to Add Tension and Pace to a Scene That’s Sagging Some novel scenes speed along, taut and tense, and full of energy. But others drift, with your characters ambling around, chatting or thinking, not really doing anything much at all. The pace sags … and the tension...
by Ali | Jan 15, 2026 | Motivation
How Long Does it Take to Write 1,000 Words? This post was first published in April 2020 and updated in January 2026. How long does it take to write 1,000 words? If you’re writing a novel … the answer matters! If you’re aiming for an average-ish novel...
by Ali | Jan 8, 2026 | Motivation
My Annual Writing Goals for 2026 (Tell Me Your Goals, Too!) Happy New Year! We’re just over a week into 2026 … and there’s a good chance you’ve been thinking about your writing, and what goals you might want to set for the year. I’d love to hear what you’re working...
by Ali | Dec 12, 2025 | Motivation
Annual Writing Goal Progress in Q4, 2025 (Slower Progress) We’re getting close to the end of 2025. In fact, 12th December always feels a little bit like the ending of a year for me … because it’s my birthday! So how did things go in Q4, and during 2025 as a whole?...
by Ali | Dec 4, 2025 | Editing
The Three Stages of Editing Your Writing (and Nine Handy Do-it-Yourself Tips) Note: This post was originally published in 2014, and was last updated in December 2025. Whether you love editing or hate it, if you’re a writer, there’s no way to avoid it. You may well...
