The First Draft Pro Blog

We freaking love stories

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

An image of multple pathways weaving together and converging in a wood. It's meant to signify the way we weave mutliple storylines together.

3 min read

How to write a novel with multiple storylines

Whether you're writing across different timelines, or from the perspective of multiple point-of-view characters, here's how to make a multiple storyline novel work effectively.

The image shows a close up of two hands, one holding a pen, poised over a blank page in a note book ready to write. Over the image is an illustration of a phone call screen with the call name: Inspiration. Will you answer it?

4 min read

The 100+ Most Famous Writing Quotes of All Time

Let the world's most famous writers guide your way with more than 100 inspiring motivational quotes about writing, being a writer, and finishing your first draft.

This image contains the covers of several of the greatest books on writing of all time. Authors includes are Stephen King, William Zinsser, Ray Bradbury, Ross Hartmann, Stephen Pinker, George Saunders, Anne Lamott, Shawn Coyne, Lisa Cron, Margaret Atwood, Strunk and White, And Sol Stein

7 mins

A comprehensive guide to books on writing

Whether you're just starting or looking to polish your skills, something here will help you write better, inspire you, and even make you laugh.

A man sitting in an ornate chair in a reading room, holding a book up. The book has light emanating from it. There's also a dog. The dog is the best part.

3 min read

What is exposition and how to do it well

Effectively conveying background information without overwhelming the reader.

The cover of a book with an embossed title that reads "Books fatal to their authors".

3 min read

The ultimate guide to surviving your first draft

Comprehensive strategies and considerations for crafting your initial manuscript.

An illustration of a Dante's Diving comedy.

3 min read

How to use the Kubler-Ross stages of grief in your story

Implementing the stages of grief to depict character development and conflict.

A painting of a man reading books in a library.

3 min read

6 approaches to finishing your first draft

Strategies for completing the initial version of your manuscript.

A funny scene showing a woman running after a runaway pram.

3 min read

How to write humour (a brief overview)

Techniques for incorporating humor into your narrative effectively.

Two women lying in bed, having an intimate conversation.

3 min read

How to write healthy relationships

Crafting authentic and positive interpersonal dynamics.

A cowbow holding a gun, pointed at the viewer.

3 min read

Chekhov's gun

Understanding and implementing the principle of relevant narrative elements.

A man drops his pipe in a moment of surprise.

3 min read

The 2 ways you can introduce your inciting incident

Strategies for presenting the initiating event of your narrative.

An excerpt of a piece of hand writing.

3 min read

A foolproof formula for writing a inciting incidents

Crafting compelling events that set the narrative in motion.