Elise L. Blake
Bio
Elise is a full-time writing coach and novelist. She is a recent college graduate from Southern New Hampshire University where she earned her BA in Creative Writing.
Stories (349)
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The Writing Process
So you want to write a book, but you're not sure where to start or what steps to take to get you from that little spark of an idea you have for a book to turn it into a fully written novel. Look no further as I break it down for you in eight simple-to-follow steps. As for how long each step takes? Well, that one is up to you.
By Elise L. Blake3 years ago in Journal
Writing Strong Titles
What's the first thing you notice about a book when you're wandering down the aisles looking for your next read? Sure it could be the flashy cover that first draws your eye, but it's the title that really decided for you if you're going to pick the book up off of the shelf and give it any consideration.
By Elise L. Blake3 years ago in Journal
Writing Romance
There's a good reason why romance is one of literature's most popular genres. Romance addresses the heart and permits perusers to escape into a universe of affection, enthusiasm, and joyful ever-afters. It takes more than just putting a few characters together, making them share a single bed, and hoping for the best to happen when you write a great romance novel. Your readers need to have an emotional connection with your characters and they have to actively want them (Or not) to end up together. Here are some tips and strategies to help you craft a heartwarming and swoon-worthy love story your readers will fall in love with.
By Elise L. Blake3 years ago in Journal
Creating a Sense of Place
As a novelist, creating a believable setting is key to immersing your readers in the story you're telling. Whether you're writing historical fiction, a romance, or a sci-fi epic, the setting of your novel plays a crucial role in setting the tone and atmosphere of your work. Sure you can have an amazing sci-fi novel set in the most epic of spaceships on the galaxy's most intricate planet, but if you don't give the reader the glimpse of the setting they need, then your novel could just be set at your local hardware store and they won't know the difference. In this article, we'll discuss some tips and techniques for crafting believable settings that will bring your story to life.
By Elise L. Blake3 years ago in Journal
Writing Action Scenes
Action scenes are some of the most thrilling and exciting parts of a story. They can keep readers on the edge of their seats and create high-stakes drama and suspense. Whether you're writing a novel, a short story, or a screenplay, knowing how to write effective action scenes is essential to keeping your readers engaged and invested in the story. Here are some techniques for creating high-stakes drama and suspense in your action scenes.
By Elise L. Blake3 years ago in Journal
9 Tips For Writing the First Draft:
Writing the first draft of a novel can be an intimidating and overwhelming task. However, it's an essential part of the writing process and one that every author must face. If there's only one thing about a first draft that you need to know - it's that it's going to suck - and that's ok. There's not a single author alive (Or dead) on this planet that write a perfect first draft. Spelling errors, plot holes, and all other sorts of things happen to everyone. However, the first draft is the most important because it's you getting the words onto the page. After that, editing can fix just about anything. Here are some tips and strategies for getting those first words on the page and starting your journey toward a completed manuscript.
By Elise L. Blake3 years ago in Journal
Finding Your Writing Voice
Writing is a form of art, and like any art, it requires creativity, passion, and most importantly, a unique voice. Your writing voice is what sets you apart from other writers and makes your work distinctive. It is the way you express your thoughts and emotions on paper, and it reflects your personality and experiences. However, finding your writing voice can be a daunting task, especially if you're new to writing or struggling to establish your style. In this article, we'll explore some strategies for developing a unique writing voice that will help you stand out in a crowded literary landscape.
By Elise L. Blake3 years ago in Journal
Creating Conflict in Your Novel
Every story needs conflict to keep readers engaged and invested in the outcome. Any I don't mean conflict as a big battle or some big space race. There's conflict in all stories - even Pride and Prejudice has conflict.. lots of it! Conflict is what drives the plot forward, creates tension and drama, and ultimately leads to a satisfying resolution. But how do you create conflict in your novel? Here are some techniques and tips to help you add tension and drama to your story:
By Elise L. Blake3 years ago in Journal
Managing Your Writing Time
As a writer, finding time to write can be a challenge. Between work, family, and other responsibilities, it can be difficult to carve out the time necessary to write a novel. However, with some time management strategies, you can find the time you need to pursue your passion for writing, and well - there's no other way to say it, but you need to stop procrastinating and putting off your writing for reasons and reasons.
By Elise L. Blake3 years ago in Journal
Writing Dialogue
When writing dialogue, it's important to create authentic conversations that feel natural and engaging for the reader, or else your reader might get thrown out of your story faster than if they had dropped the book into a pile of something that comes out of the back end of a cow.
By Elise L. Blake3 years ago in Journal
