The QuillBees blog
Real questions about books, answered in plain words.
How to publish one, how to write one, and how to find one worth reading, in Hindi and English. New posts most weeks.
Showing 12 posts in Writing . Show all posts
Writing · Oct 19, 2026
First person or third person? Choosing a point of view
The choice changes how close the reader feels to your character, and what you are allowed to tell them.
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Writing · Oct 1, 2026
A proofreading checklist for the mistakes everyone misses
After weeks with a manuscript, your eyes slide over errors. These are the ones that survive most often, and how to catch them.
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Writing · Sep 17, 2026
What actually helps with writer's block
Being stuck is common and usually has a reason. A few practical ways to find the reason and get moving again.
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Writing · Sep 2, 2026
How to write a short story that works
A short story is not a small novel. It works differently, and that makes it a very good place to practise.
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Writing · Aug 19, 2026
Should your first book be a series or a standalone?
Both can work. Here is how to think about which one suits your story, and your life.
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Writing · Aug 1, 2026
Working with beta readers: how to give and take feedback
Before you pay anyone to edit, a few honest readers can show you where the book works and where it stumbles.
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Writing · Jul 18, 2026
How to write a blurb in about eighty words
The blurb is often the last thing a buyer reads before deciding. A simple structure that works for most books.
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Writing · Jun 30, 2026
Show, don't tell: what it means, with before and after examples
You have heard the advice a hundred times. Here is what it looks like in practice, and when you should ignore it.
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Writing · Jun 16, 2026
Writing dialogue that sounds like people actually talk
Real speech is messy, and good dialogue only looks like it. A few habits that make conversations on the page feel alive.
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Writing · Jun 2, 2026
How to finish a book: a simple weekly routine
Most unfinished books were not abandoned in one dramatic moment. They faded. A routine small enough to survive a busy week is what works.
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Writing · May 18, 2026
Five mistakes that show up in almost every first draft
None of these mean you are a bad writer. They are what first drafts look like, and they are fixable once you know to look for them.
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Writing · May 1, 2026
Do you need an editor? What each kind of editing does
Editing is not one job. There are several, they happen at different times, and mixing them up is how people end up disappointed.
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