Archive - HelloFiction's Fiction Writing Tips

Subverting Expectations

And Keeping Your Readers On Edge

Aug 13 •

Tal Valante Kilim

Using Scarcity: When Everyone Wants It

But Not Everyone Can Have It

Aug 6 •

Tal Valante Kilim

July 2025

They Never Thought They'd Cross That Line...

Balancing Your Protagonist on the Edge of Self

Jul 30 •

Tal Valante Kilim

Emotional Impact Lives in the Delay

Adding Suspense Through Delayed Reactions

Jul 23 •

Tal Valante Kilim

Building Suspense: Don’t Hide the Scene, Hide the Meaning

How to Create Tension Without Confusion

Jul 16 •

Tal Valante Kilim

On Voice and Character: The Hidden Depth of Language

World-Building And More Via Culture

Jul 9 •

Tal Valante Kilim

Three Ingredients to Build a Captivating Character

How to Start a Character-Driven Story

Jul 2 •

Tal Valante Kilim

June 2025

Writing Authentic Character Voice

It Goes Much Deeper Than Dialogue

Jun 25 •

Tal Valante Kilim

Why Your Plot Should Hinge on a Decision (Not Just an Event)

A Great Way to Expose and Develop Characters

Jun 18 •

Tal Valante Kilim

What Your World’s Objects Say (Without Saying a Word)

A Technique to Make World-Building More Meaningful

Jun 11 •

Tal Valante Kilim

The “Yes, But / No, And” Trick

How to Keep Your Plot Taut and Ticking

Jun 4 •

Tal Valante Kilim

May 2025

A World-Building Trick for Real Depth

One Myth, Many Meanings

May 28 •

Tal Valante Kilim

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