The First Draft Pro Blog

We freaking love stories

You do too? Well, well, well. That smells like BFF potential.

An image of the interior of a library reading room
Genre & Theme
3 min read

How theme and mood work together

Discover how blending theme and mood can shape a captivating narrative.
An image showing some motifs that might occur in a fiction novel
Genre & Theme
3 min read

Symbols & motifs in story

Enhance your narrative using symbols and motifs to create depth and intrigue.
An image of a cosy reading corner
Genre & Theme
3 min read

Understanding the controlling idea/theme of your story

Master the art of crafting compelling stories by understanding the controlling theme in your narrative.
An impressionistic illustration of the interior of a library reading room
Genre & Theme
3 min read

3 ways to include multiple themes in your story

Enrich your storytelling with three techniques for incorporating multiple themes.
The image is of a romance writer seated at her desk crafting the perfect love story based off of a romance novel template structure. She has a cup of coffee and a pen in her hand.

The ultimate guide to Romancing the Beat

A step-by-step guide to Gwen Hayes' Romancing the Beat romance story structure. In other words, the romance novel template of your dreams.
An abstract image with scribbles, coloured pink.
Editing
3 min read

Should you pay a beta reader?

Should you pay a beta reader? Unpacking the pros and cons.
An image of a reader, staring down towards a page speculatively.
Audience
3 min read

Understanding who your target reader is

Understanding your target reader: a guide for writers.
An abstract image with scribbles, coloured red and purple.
Outlining
3 min read

5 crucial aspects for outlining any story

Five crucial aspects to consider when outlining any story.
An abstract image with scribbles, coloured pink.
Outlining
3 min read

How to create an outline for your novel

How to create a compelling outline for your novel.
An abstract image with scribbles, representing the editing process.
Editing
3 min read

5 reasons your story may not be working (and what to do to fix it)

Five reasons your story may not be working and how to fix them.
An abstract image with scribbles, representing the editing process.
Editing
3 min read

Doing a paragraph-level edit of your manuscript (as a revision tool)

Paragraph-level editing: a meticulous method for manuscript revision.
An abstract image with scribbles, representing the editing process.
Editing
3 min read

Examining the interactions between characters (as a revision tool)

Examining character interactions as a revision tool: a guide.