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Writing & Reading Serena Montoya Writing & Reading Serena Montoya

5 Benefits of Outlining Your Novel

As a former pantser, I believe every writer needs a structure to tell a cohesive story. The outline doesn't have to be detailed or long, but it needs to give enough for you to sculpt a path forward. These are the five benefits of outlining your novel (especially as a pantser).

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Writing & Reading Serena Montoya Writing & Reading Serena Montoya

3 books every writer must read 

Reading naturally augments our writing abilities. For generations, writers didn’t have prompts, guides, or classes— they had books. They immersed themselves in prose and found their voice through the reading process. This article explores why now, as much as ever, writers need to be keen readers. And I’ll offer you three books every writer must read.

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Writing & Reading Serena Montoya Writing & Reading Serena Montoya

Writing in Future Tense

The future tense is the least used out there; more often than not, it's only used in segments of writing, rather than a whole novel. In this article you will see why writing in future tense may be powerful for your book, or if you should stay away. We're covering it all.

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Writing & Reading Serena Montoya Writing & Reading Serena Montoya

Writing in Past Tense

Do you have a story idea that you can’t wait to share with the world, but don’t know which tense is right for your book? Don’t worry. I’ve put together an entire series so you can find the right tense for your book. Let’s start by examining writing in past tense.

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Writing & Reading Serena Montoya Writing & Reading Serena Montoya

Three Books Becoming Movies in your Future

Like many story lovers, we get stoked when studios grab the screen rights to books we adore. Having worked behind the camera, I know what it takes to bring a story to life, and it’s no small feat. Every part of a production is vital to its success. This list of books becoming movies is still in pre-production. I am nonetheless excited to hear that they're preparing for the big screen.

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Writing & Reading Serena Montoya Writing & Reading Serena Montoya

3 Reasons "Where the Crawdads Sing" Movie Adaptation was Excellent

It's challenging to trust that productions will accurately transform the text we love into captivating visuals while maintaining the core elements of a story. But you can bet we will buy a ticket to watch it on the big screen. I enjoyed both the book and film, and I will tell you three reasons why "Where the Crawdads Sing" movie adaptation was a true accomplishment. 

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Writing & Reading Serena Montoya Writing & Reading Serena Montoya

3 Writing tips to stay focused on your story

Every writer struggles to stay focused. You’re not the only one. The challenge is building a habit to show up for your writing. After writing for several years, I’ve discovered a few external necessary adjustments that have evolved my process. These hacks will show you how to focus better while writing, so you’re not staring at a blinking cursor anymore.

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