S. M. MITCHELL

62 Questions for Novel Planning

I collated these questions during my years at university – some from creative writing teachers, others from exercises or books. This list is not meant to cover every question you’ll need to consider when writing a book – it just…
Kill Your Darlings

Fellow writers I hope you’re finding useful things on my blog to help with writing that story! I’m slowly building up an archive of writing posts to support you with your goals. Now, if you are anything like me, most…
World Building For Your Fantasy Novel

If you are a writer, I hope you take the information from this post and find it useful in the future. Novels, no matter what genre, are set in a world that needs to be explored. Your world will greatly affect…
The Fascination with Grey Characters

Why are we as a species so profoundly interested in characters that aren’t clear cut good guys? I know for a fact that I am… so much so that clear cut good guys actually bore me. To clarify if you…
The Savior’s Champion by Jenna Moreci [book review]

4 out of 5, I’m in love! Key Aspects… Tobias Kaya despises the concept of a competition to win the hand of a woman no one has ever met, but when it seems to be the only way to provide…
NaNoWriMo As Told By 4 Writers

I know it’s only September but if you’re even considering doing National Novel Writing Month this year, then it’s time to start thinking! If you plan to smash through NaNoWriMo then it can only help to read the advice of…
Story Genius by Lisa Cron [book review]

5 out of 5, it couldn’t be better! Key Aspects… I bought this book after having it recommended by a writing friend, & I have to say that it has been the most beneficial book I have ever read about…
A Natural History of Dragons [book review]

4 out of 5, I’m in love! Key Aspects… “YOU, DEAR READER, CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK. IT IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART NO MORE SO THAN THE STUDY OF DRAGONS ITSELF… FROM SCIRLAND TO THE FARTHEST REACHES…