Ellen Buikema | Writers In The Storm

Writing Without Following the Rules Too Closely

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 08:58:00 +0000

Sometimes taking a walk on the wild side, stepping outside the writing rules, can lead to great results. Here’s the why and how.

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Revision and How to Avoid it While Writing the First Draft

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 08:37:00 +0000

Revision is a holistic view of your work, not the fine details of editing. Here's some suggestions to keep writing when temptation to revise is too great.

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How Inaccurate Genre Labels Affect a Book’s Visibility

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:31:00 +0000

Many readers have specific literary taste and know their favorite sub-genres well. If your novel isn’t in the right category that's a problem.

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How to Deal with Imperfect Writing Conditions

Ellen Buikema — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:11:00 +0000

Relying on perfect conditions to write can cause creative paralysis. Read on to learn how to deal with inner perfectionism. There is beauty in imperfection.

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Why Research is Important when Writing Fiction

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 22 May 2026 08:05:00 +0000

No matter which genre of fiction you are writing, getting the facts straight can make a difference between satisfied and disappointed readers.

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How to Use Dialogue Tags and Keep the Flow

Ellen Buikema — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:12:00 +0000

Well-written dialogue tags help our understanding of emotion and tone, not ruining the flow. Read on to learn effective uses of tags in dialogue.

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WITS Team Showcase – Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 08:09:00 +0000

Meet team member Ellen Buikema and learn her backstory that explains why she writes what she does. How time spent with a grandparent kindled the writing flame.

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How to Identify & Avoid Author Scams

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 08:14:00 +0000

A scammer's flattery can short-circuit your ability to be cautious. This is psychological warfare. Read on to ID scams and avoid the headaches they can bring.

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How to Write Great Taglines in Seven Steps

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 09:34:00 +0000

A well-written tagline will cause a reader to stop while perusing books and say, "Oh! I must read this." Read on for tips to write great taglines.

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Ways to Make The Pitch, A Writer’s Selling Point

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:54:00 +0000

Having a well-written, to-the-point pitch is crucial to engage an agent or editor. Have a look at three methods: the query letter, elevator pitch, and Logline.

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