Tag: Novel Writing

Essays

Writing action scenes in novels: Why sequence and clarity matter

Mandy Webster

Nothing kills the momentum of an action scene faster than confusing choreography. Readers will forgive a lot in a fast-paced sequence. They’ll forgive impossible odds, dramatic coincidences, even a hero surviving injuries they probably shouldn’t. What they won’t forgive is not understanding where everyone is standing. One of the most common mistakes writers make in action scenes is putting events on the page out of sequence.

When action scenes lose their sequence, readers lose the thread. Clear choreography keeps readers inside the movement instead of forcing them to stop and untangle what happened.

The problem is usually small at the sentence level, but the effect on the reader is enormous because it forces them to stop, mentally rewind the scene, and reconstruct what actually happened. They’re no longer experiencing movement in real time—they’re translating it. And that translation breaks momentum.

The issue usually isn’t that the writing is unclear in isolation. Each sentence might make sense on its own. The problem is that the order of information doesn’t match the order of events as they happen in the scene. Readers don’t want to assemble a timeline. They want to experience it.

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Ask the Author

Ask the Author: When does a novel become YA? Before you write it—or after?

Mandy Webster

Dear Mandy,

When do you decide if your novel is YA? Do you decide before you start writing or after you are done?

Answer: One of the questions writers ask constantly is whether a novel “counts” as Young Adult fiction. Sometimes the answer is obvious from page one. Other times, writers finish an entire manuscript before realizing they may have written for a different audience than they originally intended.

When does a novel become YA—and how much of that decision happens before you even write the first page? This graphic breaks down the key factors writers should consider, from voice and protagonist age to audience and market expectations, and why knowing who you’re writing for shapes every story choice you make.

The truth is that YA is both a category and a marketing designation, and those two things do not always align perfectly. At the most basic level, a Young Adult novel is written for teen readers, generally between the ages of twelve and eighteen. In publishing, though, that definition becomes much more flexible than people expect. A huge percentage of YA readers are adults, and many books with teen protagonists are actually shelved in adult fiction. That’s why YA is not determined by a single factor.

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Ask the Author

Ask the Author: Are easter eggs in novels just foreshadowing?

Mandy Webster

If you spend enough time on bookish social media, you’ll eventually see someone point out an “easter egg” in a novel—and there’s a good chance they’re actually talking about something else entirely. This is the topic of today’s Ask the Author.

Dear Mandy,

Question: Are easter eggs in a novel just foreshadowing?

Not every hidden detail in a story is an “easter egg.” Some are clues, some are foreshadowing—and some are just there for readers who like looking a little closer. In today’s Ask the Author, I unpack the difference– and how the internet sometimes gets literary terms hilariously wrong.

Answer: Lately I’ve noticed a lot of readers on social media using the term easter egg when what they really mean is foreshadowing. The two are not the same thing, even though they both involve details hidden in a story.

Foreshadowing is a storytelling technique. It’s when an author plants clues early in the narrative that hint at something that will happen later. A seemingly harmless line of dialogue, an object that appears briefly in chapter two, a character’s odd reaction to something—these details quietly prepare the reader for future events. When the twist or revelation finally arrives, the earlier hints suddenly make sense. Good foreshadowing makes a story feel inevitable rather than random.

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Writers on Writing

Life after NaNoWriMo: How writers can keep the November momentum alive #WriteMo2025

Mandy Webster

Every November, countless writers have opened fresh documents, brewed extra coffee, and joined a global community all chasing the same goal—50,000 words in 30 days. For twenty-five years, the nonprofit behind National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) gave structure and camaraderie to this creative marathon. But when the organization officially shut down in April 2025 due to financial and operational challenges, many writers were left wondering: Now what?

Just because the NaNoWriMo website is gone, that doesn’t mean you can’t still write a novel this month!

The good news is that the spirit of NaNoWriMo doesn’t belong to any one website. It lives in the collective energy of writers everywhere who come together to create, share, and cheer one another on. November can still be your month to write boldly and build lasting creative habits—you just might have to do it a little differently this year.

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Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Wrapping up the novel writing series — and what’s next

Mandy Webster

Almost a year ago, I started this series to walk writers through the steps of the novel writing process. It’s been an incredible journey, and I hope you’ve found real value in the posts—whether you’re just starting your first draft or have been wrestling with a novel for years. Writing a book is no small feat, and I’m so glad to have been part of your journey in some way.

Wrapping up the novel writing series and tying a bow on the journey—here’s to new chapters ahead!

To make it easier for you to revisit any step or catch up on what you missed, I’ve created a dedicated page on the website that links to each section of the series. You’ll also find information there about my upcoming book, Write the Damn Novel, Already: A step-by-step guide for first-time novelists and repeat quitters. The book collects everything from this series into one easy-to-use guide with extra tips and tools designed to help you finally finish writing your novel.

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Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

What comes after “The End”: the final step in the novel writing process

Mandy Webster

Finishing a novel is an incredible accomplishment—but if you’re anything like most writers, you’re already thinking about the next one. That’s why the final step in this series on the steps of the novel writing process is simple but essential: repeat the process.

The final step of writing a novel? Do it again—because every great writer keeps going.
The final step of writing a novel? Do it again—because every great writer keeps going.

Writing your first novel teaches you a lot. You learn what sparks your creativity, where you tend to get stuck, and which tools and strategies actually help you move forward. As you begin your second (or fifth or tenth) book, you get to carry all that hard-earned knowledge with you. Take what worked from this series and leave what didn’t. There’s no one right way to write a novel—but with each project, you can refine your own.

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Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Supporting fellow indie authors: real strategies that benefit you too

Mandy Webster

As an independent author, it’s tempting to see other writers as competition—but that mindset can hold you back. The truth is, supporting fellow indie authors can be one of the most effective and rewarding ways to grow your own audience. By building genuine connections and promoting others, you not only foster goodwill in the writing community, but you also create opportunities to expand your reach and visibility in return.

Collaboration, not competition—indie authors grow stronger together.

Promoting other authors doesn’t just benefit them. It benefits you, too. Here’s how:

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Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Sending publication slips to bookstores and libraries: a guide for independent authors

Mandy Webster

As an independent author, getting your book into bookstores and libraries can significantly expand your readership and increase sales. One way to achieve this is by sending publication slips to bookstores and libraries that may be interested in carrying your book. Here’s what you need to know about publication slips, how to create them, and how to strategically send them out.

The publication slip for my novel, If You Didn’t See it Coming follows the guidelines listed in this blog post for creating a publication slip for your independant novel.

What is a publication slip?

A publication slip is a one-page marketing sheet designed to introduce your book to bookstores and libraries. It provides key details that help book buyers decide whether to stock your book. Think of it as a quick sales pitch in print form.

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Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Hand selling your independent novels: meeting readers and making sales

Mandy Webster

For independent authors, meeting readers face-to-face is often the best way to sell books—especially before you gain widespread recognition. While online marketing is essential, there’s no substitute for personal interactions. Readers are more likely to buy a book when they meet the author, hear about the story firsthand, and form a connection. Here’s how to maximize your success with hand selling your books at events.

Check with your local bookstore to find out if they host authors for book signings. It’s a great way to connect with readers right in your local area!

To get started with hand selling, look for local events where you can set up a table and interact with potential readers. Consider:

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Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Using Goodreads to connect with readers and promote your independently published novels

Mandy Webster

Goodreads is one of the most powerful platforms for authors looking to connect with readers and promote their books. As a social networking site dedicated entirely to books and reading, it provides a unique opportunity for independent authors to gain visibility, interact with potential readers, and boost book sales. While there are other book-focused platforms, Goodreads remains the most prevalent and widely used.

Readers use GoodReads to keep track of the books they’ve read and want to read, books their friends are reading, and authors whose books they want to read more of!

Goodreads is an online community for book lovers, launched in 2007 and acquired by Amazon in 2013. It allows users to track the books they read, post reviews, participate in discussions, and discover new books through recommendations. With millions of active users, Goodreads is a go-to platform for readers searching for their next read.

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