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Welcome to Crystal Crawford's official author blog!
Find my Announcements and all my other typical Blog content here!
(Looking for my fiction? Check my Story Subscribers Content page! I've relocated my available fiction content there, but not everything requires a paid subscription. You'll find the "FREEBIES/SAMPLES" section right at the top of the page.)
Or explore my most recent posts:
Questions from Growing Writers, #1: How do you write character arcs in a series?
Welcome to the first in a series of videos/blog posts I hope to make, answering questions submitted to me from young writers, aspiring writers, and/or my former writing students! Each time I answer one of these questions, I plan to post both a YouTube video and a blog post, so you can get the answers in whichever format you prefer (or both!) Both will have the exact same content (though adapted for video or for the blog), and I'll embed the video here in the blog so you can a
Crystal Crawford
Feb 8, 202516 min read
A Highly Recommended (Online) Writing Class!
Learn to make your fiction writing more powerful!
Crystal Crawford
Aug 9, 20212 min read
A Great (Free) Resource for Writers!...and something for Readers, too!
Hi, everyone! Whether you're a fellow writer, an avid reader, or both, I've got something fun to share tonight! First off, I want to tell you all about DreamForge Anvil -- an online science fiction and fantasy magazine that focuses on stories of HOPE. They are also focused on providing some behind-the-scenes edits and notes on why they chose to publish certain stories, to help aspiring writers learn and have a better chance at success with their future submissions. Just a
Crystal Crawford
Apr 11, 20211 min read
Can an Onion Help You Write a Better Novel? (Introducing, the Plot Onion!)
this newest resource is for fiction-writers who – like me – struggle to keep the big-picture story neatly in mind while writing...
Crystal Crawford
Oct 15, 20209 min read
Free Online Writing Course! (And an interview about my writing!)
Info on a free, online writing workshop I got the chance to beta-test... and they interviewed me about it, too!
Crystal Crawford
Jun 24, 20201 min read
If You Write Fiction, This Is for You!
Announcing my new "crash course in fiction writing" guide!
Crystal Crawford
Aug 10, 20192 min read
Plantsing: How Loose Outlines Save My Turkey… and My Books
If you’ve followed any of my series on Plotting, you know that I like plotting.But here’s my secret: I didn’t use to plot my stories at all.
Crystal Crawford
Nov 19, 20185 min read
Plotting Your Story, Step #7: The Perfect Ending
Hi, everyone, and welcome to the final post in my “Plotting Your Story” series:
Plotting Your Story, Step #7: The Perfect Ending!
Crystal Crawford
Nov 12, 20183 min read
Plotting Your Story, Step #6: Detailed Outline
Hi, everyone, and welcome to post #6 in my “Plotting Your Story” series:
Plotting Your Story, Step #6: Detailed Outlines!
Crystal Crawford
Nov 5, 20187 min read
Plotting Your Story, Step #5: Revelations
Hi, everyone, and welcome to post #5 in my “Plotting Your Story” series:
Plotting Your Story, Step #5: Revelations!
Crystal Crawford
Oct 29, 20185 min read
Plotting Your Story, Step #4: Thematic Threads
Today’s post is the next in the Plotting Your Story series:
Plotting Your Story, Step #4: Thematic Threads!
Crystal Crawford
Oct 22, 20185 min read
Plotting Your Story, Step #3: External Story (Plot)
Today’s post is the next in the Plotting Your Story series:
Plotting Your Story, Step #3: External Story (Plot)!
Crystal Crawford
Oct 15, 20186 min read
Plotting Your Story, Step #2: Internal Story (Characters)
Today’s post is the next in the Plotting Your Story series:
Plotting Your Story, Step #2: Internal Story (Characters)!
Crystal Crawford
Oct 8, 201812 min read
Plotting Your Story, Step #1: Premise
Today’s post is the first in the Plotting Your Story series: Plotting Your Story, Step #1: Premise!
Crystal Crawford
Oct 1, 20184 min read
Plotting Your Story: How to Craft a Complex, Compelling Story That Keeps Readers Turning the Pages
Hi, everyone, and welcome to my blog post series…
Plotting Your Story: How to Craft a Complex, Compelling Story Plot!
Crystal Crawford
Oct 1, 20181 min read
Secrets of “Show, Don’t Tell”: What It Really Means and How to Do It Well
A question I'm asked repeatedly: What about “Show, Don’t Tell”? How do I do it? What are the rules?
Crystal Crawford
Jan 15, 201811 min read
How to Create Memorable Characters
Vibrant, memorable characters are the heart of storytelling and the window through which you are able to access your readers’ emotions.
Crystal Crawford
Sep 25, 20174 min read
How to Create a Captivating Setting
Welcome to the first of a series of “How To” guides I’m going to be writing over the next few weeks!
Crystal Crawford
Sep 18, 20173 min read
Helpful Books for Writers
As both a writer and a writing instructor, I read a lot of books on writing. Here are my top book recommendations for writers.
Crystal Crawford
Aug 7, 20174 min read
Cringe-Worthy Can Be Good
There are two reasons a reader might cringe while reading a story... The difference between these two reasons can make or break a story.
Crystal Crawford
Jul 10, 20172 min read
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