In this first post in the “Strong Beginnings” series, we’ll explore the promises made in a compelling first act that engross your reader so completely they don’t stop reading until they get all the way to the satisfying conclusion of your story.

Story and alchemy have more in common than you'd think. An introduction to the relaunch of the Author Alchemist blog/newsletter, and five ways our stories compare with the philosophy of alchemy.

Most of us avoid conflict at all costs, but conflict in all its forms is the beating heart of great fiction. In this post, I give you simple tips on how to infuse more conflict into your writing.