***This article is geared towards fiction novels . The dedication and acknowledgment pages for non-fiction books contain different parameters and tone. When your book is complete, and that means all developmental edits , proofreading , and interior design are finished, you may want to consider dedicating your novel to a special person; someone who supported or mentored you throughout your writing journey.  Some authors dedicate their book to a group, organization, or to their

There are so many writing rules it’s hard to keep track. Some are sophisticated, others are subtle. Have you ever given a thought to how numbers should be written in a novel or how writers handle scenes with timestamps? Is there a difference between a specified time used in dialogue or in prose? What about dreams and tabloid headlines? Should you put a movie title in all caps, italics, or quotation marks? How about song titles? Are you aware of the RAVEN rule? These writi

An author’s goal for any novel is to capture the reader’s attention with a memorable opening line that lures the reader in then keeps them turning pages. The hook is like the delicious appetizer before the main meal, but that is not enough. The author must keep readers begging for more. Chapter endings play a crucial role. As a writer you must be mindful of this concept with every chapter of your story. You must fulfill the promise of your book’s essence and carry that

Indie and self-published authors, this article is for you! Before we get to the nuts and bolts, let’s distinguish an indie author from a...

Clichés are overused, tired phrases that lack original thought. Some of them are as old as dirt (haha) and have often lost their novelty...

The world is chock-full of words . By most accounts, the English language contains well over a million words when slang, technical terms,...

According to Wikipedia, “a newsletter is a printed or electronic report containing news concerning the activities of a business or an...

Wordy has authored an article on vision boards and boxes which are basically creations made to inspire and substantiate future goals. By...

Everyone makes resolutions ahead of the coming year. You’ve got your standard weight loss and exercise resolutions that usually fail a...

In a previous Wordy article, You Had Me at Hello, the important topic of opening lines was discussed. The first sentence of any novel...

A short story, though not exactly the same as s full-length book, is a pared-down version of a novel. It is a complete story with a fully...

Premise and plot are important. Building strong characters with unique quirks, interesting traits, and appearance beyond mundane and...

Character flaws are shortcomings or weaknesses that limit the protagonist or others in some way. We all have imperfections and quirks...

Full Disclosure, this article is headed to the dark side. You’re writing your little heart out, banging out chapter after chapter with...

We all have a story to tell, but do you have a book smacking you upside the head, begging to get out? Well, my darlings, you’ve landed on...