Overwriting and Word Choice Pitfalls

Writing prose in fiction is all about using your unique voice. In this final bonus episode of The Novelry on Writing, authors Tara Conklin and Urban Waite dive into:

✍️ How to avoid overwriting

✍️ Tips for writing dialogue

✍️ Writing prompts to get you started

How are you telling your story? Submit your work to The Next Big Story prize, where you could win $100,000 for the best first three pages of a novel. T&Cs apply—see website for details.

Perfect for fiction writers seeking to enhance their novel openings and craft a setting that captivates readers. Whether you’re a new writer or have a few books under your belt, these writing tips will help you craft more engaging story beginnings and make your first three pages stand out.

Thanks for tuning in, and happy writing! 🖋️

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:00 What is Prose?

04:18 How to Avoid Overwriting

05:18 Clichés

07:07 The Next Big Story Prize

07:38 Writing Dialogue in Prose

09:28 Concrete Tips for Writing Prose

11:26 Writing Prompts

Guest Bios

Tara Conklin is the New York Times bestselling author of The House Girl and The Last Romantics, selected by the Today Show Book Club, Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, and as a No.1 Indie Next Pick and Amazon Best Book of the Month. Her most recent novel is Community Board.

Urban Waite’s novels have been published in over 40 countries, translated into 12 languages, and optioned for film. Their accolades include Indie Next Picks, Amazon Editors’ Picks, nominations for the New Mexico/Arizona Book Award, and Kirkus Review Hit List selections. Urban’s debut novel, The Terror of Living, catapulted him to international acclaim, earning praise from literary giants Stephen King, Daniel Woodrell, and Michael Koryta.

Resources

Check out these blog posts for more insight on how to write a compelling story:

Life of Pi Author Explores the 5 Ps of Good Writing

Could You Write The Next Big Story?

How to Create a Clean Writing Style

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Show description

Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.

With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5 reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.*