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Martha Chargot

Tips to Write a Better Exposition for Your Novel

The beginning of your story sets reader expectations for your entire book. So, you don’t want it to feel slow or dated or predictable...

Martha Chargot

10 Questions You Should Have in Your Beta Reading Questionnaire

Combat the phenomena of vague beta reader responses by providing discussion questions that guide their reading and responses...

Martha Chargot

5 Ways an Independent Editor Can Help You Snag an Agent

You need a good story to land an agent, but you don’t want to go through unnecessary edits only to go through more when you get a deal...

Martha Chargot

Ramp Up Conflict to Ramp Up Reader Engagement

How does every story start? An inciting incident. An author lures you into a sense of normality and understanding of a world only long...

Martha Chargot

Change of Plans: How to Adapt Your Screenplay into a Novel

Do you ever feel stuck in your medium? You shouldn’t! It may not feel ideal to repurpose your story into a novel, but...

Martha Chargot

Pantsing v. Outlining and Why You Need Both

Pantsing and outlining are as divisive a topic among writers as whether or not to use the oxford comma. Most authors have strong natural...

Martha Chargot

Beginner’s Guide to Scene Writing: How to Write a Scene that Turns

Something about your characters and their circumstances must change before the end of a scene. If it does not, the scene falls flat...

Martha Chargot

How to Write A Cliffhanger Scene

High-drama moments without being a cliffhanger. A good cliffhanger is relatively simple once you understand the formula...