The First Draft Pro Blog

We freaking love stories

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

An illustration of two characters in a novel in a scene.

Writing Tips

3 min read

7 things that every scene must have

Essential elements for creating compelling and purposeful scenes.

An illustration of cloud cover in a moody sky.

Writing Tips

3 min read

5 questions to ask yourself at the end of each scene

Assessing the effectiveness and purpose of a scene upon its conclusion.

An illustration of clouds parting in front of a sun.

Writing Tips

3 min read

10 questions to ask yourself at the beginning of each scene

Reflective questions to guide scene development.

An illustration of clouds crossing a bright sun.

Writing Tips

3 min read

How to write a great scene transition

Strategies for seamlessly moving between scenes.

An illustration of a rural landscape out of a novel.

Writing Tips

3 min read

How to write a scene

Techniques for crafting individual scenes that contribute to the overall narrative.

An illustration of a scene from a novel on a laptop screen.

Writing Tips

3 min read

Understanding scenes

A comprehensive look at the building blocks of a narrative.

An illustration of a dreamy landscape with rolling hills in the background.

Writing Tips

3 min read

When should you use an epilogue?

Guidelines for determining the necessity and effectiveness of an epilogue.

Writing Tips

3 min read

A guide to endings

Crafting satisfying and impactful story conclusions.

A road wends its way through a forest of trees towards a destination that isn't that clear. It's a metaphor for the winding route we take when trying to write a satisfying end to a story.

Writing Tips

3 min read

7 questions to help you write a satisfying ending

Reflective questions to assess the effectiveness of your story’s conclusion.

An illustration of two characters in a novel walking into a sunset holding hands.

Writing Tips

3 min read

Excellent closing/final lines

Examples and analysis of memorable story conclusions.

An illustration of a rural farming landscape.

Writing Tips

3 min read

9 reasons why your ending doesn't work

Identifying common issues that weaken a story’s conclusion.

An illustration of a storm on the horizon of a forest.

Writing Tips

3 min read

How to pay off your hook effectively

Ensuring your story’s opening promises are fulfilled by its conclusion.