As authors, one of the greatest challenges we face is crafting truly unique plots, stories filled with magical settings, jaw-dropping twists, and heart-stopping moments. We chase that spark of originality, hoping our novel will become unforgettable to anyone who picks it up.

We often spend weeks or even months gathering information, building entire worlds, sketching out characters, and weaving together intricate plot twists and story arcs. And once all the pieces seem to fall into place, we feel ready to write.

But then something happens.

When we share our story with the world—whether it’s through an editor’s feedback or when the first reader’s reactions start trickling in, we may come to a hard realization: our novel hasn’t had the impact we hoped for.

Despite a plot that shows real promise, the story somehow falls flat. It lacks emotional depth. One scene grips the reader, only for the next to feel flat. The pacing becomes inconsistent, and then the tension slowly fades. And we’re left wondering: what went wrong?

It turns out that crafting a compelling story goes far beyond just having a “good plot.” The real magic lies in how that plot unfolds through meaningful character development and emotional resonance. A strong premise is only the foundation; depth is what brings it to life.

So, what gives a story its depth? How can we ensure our brilliant plot doesn’t fall short when it truly matters? Let’s explore what it really takes to write a story that resonates.

1: Why the Small Details Make or Break Your Novel

As authors, when we craft a story, we spend most of our time and energy on the plot itself, forgetting that the “minor things,” such as character building, opening scenes, and the distribution of the plot into chapters, are what most often carry the novel’s potential.

Powerful ideas that can help your novel thrive.

• Develop the characters’ backstory: remember that readers read to identify, not to feel perfect. As human beings, we connect best with those who understand our flaws. Build imperfect characters.
• Opening scenes: overwhelm the reader in the first 5 chapters will make them abandon the experience. You don’t need a shocking opening to your story. We connect with emotions, not scenes.
• Cliffhangers at the end of chapters: Cliffhangers at the end of each chapter, frequently, are a double-edged sword. We want readers to stay for the development of our characters and the story, not for the cliffhangers we offer.

2: Why Your Story Shouldn’t Follow a Straight Line

When we say a story “shouldn’t just fall in a straight line,” we’re talking about how predictable or emotionally flat a narrative can become if it moves too smoothly from point A to point B. If the plot progresses in a straight, obvious path with no surprises, tension, or emotional fluctuations it risks losing the reader’s interest.

What Does a “Straight Line” Story Look Like?

• The protagonist faces a challenge and solves it without much resistance.
  
• Events unfold in a perfectly logical order without any detours or surprises.
  
• Characters don’t face internal struggles or moral dilemmas.
  
• There’s little tension or uncertainty about what will happen next.
  

While clarity and structure are important, too much predictability can drain the energy from your story.

What Your Story Needs Instead

To add depth to your story, it needs:

• Twists and Turns:
  
  Unexpected developments that surprise the reader. A twist can be a sudden betrayal, a sudden revelation, or an unforeseen consequence. These moments create excitement and keep readers invested.
  

• Conflict and Complications:
  
  Nothing should come too easily for your characters. Challenges—both internal and external—force growth and deepen the plot.
  

• Misdirection and Mystery:
  
  Keep readers guessing. They should want to turn the page not because they know what’s coming, but because they don’t.

Writing a book is about enjoying the process, living the story, sharing feelings, fears and desires with our characters. 

To wrap a book is to wrap part of ourselves. So don’t rush it. Take your time, write with heart, and make sure you’ve said everything you want to say. When it feels right, that’s when you know it’s done.

Happy writing!

Alejandra

How to keep calm and simply move on.

Every field is different. Being an editor is different; being an author is different. A musician is very different from a tennis player, of course. And there comes a certain point where all their expectations of reaching a higher goal fail. Why?

Because sometimes, we get eager—so eager to reach a certain goal that we rush things and turn them inside out without even realizing it. This generation is nothing but a short example of what competition is all about. And believe it or not, when there is patience, there’s everything you want in this world.

We must make sure that the goal we want to achieve does not affect our emotional, mental, or physical health. Having ambition is more than amazing. After all, our fight is with ourselves, not others. If we always compare ourselves with another famous author or musician, we’ll always live in that fantasy where we only ‘think’ of reaching a goal, rather than ‘acting’ on it.

Demotivation is a part of every single situation, and it has a funny way of clashing with us whenever we are already at our lowest. But should you let it bring you down? Of course not. Demotivation is just a term with two added letters. Remove the first two, get a cup of coffee, buy a new book, visit your friends, talk to your family, and do what you feel like doing—and see the change.

When you keep things as simple as possible, every situation becomes as simple as needed. Can’t think of a perfect plot? Read books. Don’t like the café your friends go to? Suggest a new one. Don’t like the dress you’re wearing? Well, change into another one.

Whenever you’re met with a backlash, a wall that seems too strong to break, or a boundary you need to crack to get ahead. If your gut is telling you to do it, do it. When you’re feeling low, read the first novel you ever read that made you want to become an author. When you’re feeling down, listen to the music that first gave you chills when you were going on a walk. When you feel like you can’t do it, think about how your life would turn out if you really don’t.

Feeling regret is much more terrible than feeling demotivated. A situation where life feels like a roller coaster you’re not enjoying can be much better than not getting on that roller coaster at all knowing how it feels in the first place.

Emotions can fluctuate, and we have control over them. But does regret mess with them? Sure, why not? Because you still have time to get on that roller coaster until a certain point in your life. But does regret ever leave you alone? No, it’s going to stay. Because until we take our last breaths, we will regret what we haven’t done. Or think about our life choices and feel guilty about them.

So, why not get on that ride before it’s too late?

Whatever we choose to do is in our hands. We chose it because we loved it, and because we love it, we should make a promise to ourselves never to leave it.

Who knows? Maybe one day, when you reach a point where you’re about to give up, just 10 seconds later your uploaded reel goes viral. The musician gets a contract to hold a concert. And the author, who was stuck at absolutely no views, gets more than a million overnight.

You never know.

All you need to know is: never give up.

Life is short. If you give up now, who will rise to the top tower then?

Happy writing,

Jasmine.

Written by our Editorial Lead, Jasmine

Ah, this is a topic that I personally think will haunt us all our lives. For some, AI is a fortune, but for the other half, it’s nothing but a pack of chips you don’t like when you can’t find anything good to eat. 

For me, at the age of 16, I read my first novel. I’m not ashamed to say I cried while ending it since it was written in such deeper depths and elements, and in ways described, I thought one could never be able to. The emotions, the characters. Their love for each other, the concern, and the affection, written in words, despite keeping in mind that, ‘actions speak louder than words’. 

I never thought that “Words” would make me feel that I was the one living their story. 

But… what would happen if that fantasy changes into a movie of robots that can’t stop talking about the birds chirping, the night sky beaming, and saying lines with words that we’ve never even heard of, or thought were ever there—rather than letting us know what the characters truly want to talk about? 

Let’s say, in the middle of a ‘confession’ would you prefer reading: “The night flowed as the wind howled. Nightly insects chirped as they danced around on the ground,” rather than, “Yes, I love you, always have and always will.” I think we all know what the answer is. 

There is a huge difference between human writing and robotic writing. Technology can be as advanced as we program it to be. But let’s talk about it in scientific terms. If you ever insert a human heart inside a robot, would it turn human?

No, right? Because it will always act like a robot, which it was programmed to act as. Inserting a heart won’t let the robot feel what we feel. Because our hearts are nothing but something magnificent that controls our minds and nature. Something that no new invention can be used as an alternative. 

Here, AI is the robot, and we are humans. Merge the two, and see what the outcome is. Tales of true events, adventures, and events that seemed real, logical, emotional, and genuine, but if you play with all those and add an element that doesn’t even fit, it’ll turn and talk about how the river is flowing for half an hour.

We have to understand that AI is nothing more than a plagiarized book in a specific writing field. It does not build and write with emotions as we do; it only uses other people’s work, merges it, and places it in front of us. It’s nothing but words that weren’t written with any emotion, or any knowledge of how reality or fantasy works—or to be precise, how our hearts work. It doesn’t have any limitation as to where to stop and where to keep going. It’s nothing but words… we simply don’t even know of. 

The sad reality is that most audiences have now switched to AI, thinking it’ll help polish their work. But why do they have to think like that? So many people have reached their goals in life when there wasn’t even any social platform available. All their work, their effort put into it. And they’re still praised because of it—never forgotten. Why change our morals? Why switch to something that can’t even write what we need to express? 

What can’t feel what we make others feel? Is it even worth letting others express your feelings through just some alternative rather than you? 

Let’s hope not. 

Because AI is nothing but a tool, and you, with your emotions, are not. 

Stick to what we started with, and end with it. 

It’s worth it. 

Best regards,

Your Editor, Jasmine.

When it comes to book reviews, the outline plays a key role in determining the final outcome of the review process. However, despite its importance, many authors struggle to deliver a well-written outline in their submissions. In most cases, outlines are either poorly structured or overly reliant on AI tools—something that often leads to rejection, as it fails to reflect the author’s own vision and chapter’s overall direction.

Given how frequently this issue occurs, we decided to hold a Q&A session with AlphaNovel’s Editorial Team. Since outlines are a critical part of the submission process, we wanted to hear directly from the editors who review them daily. 

We asked the AlphaNovel Editorial Team to share their insights—what they look for, what to avoid, and how to improve.

Our hope? That this article gives you the clarity, insight, and inspiration you need to craft your next strong, editor-approved outline.

Drawing from your experience, what advice would you give authors on writing a good story outline?

Editor Jasmine: “Well for me, it was troubling to write an outline too. But later on after like 2-3 attempts, I cracked the code and wrote whatever mostly hooked my story. 

Like the key points from my stories, explaining the characters in a way that also tells what they’re wanting to do and will do further

Specifically, 

• First: I concentrate on how the story will start, what they feel with their first encounter, (explaining their feelings is what keeps me hooked to read further honestly) 
• Secondly: Then I move onto the next line. The mid, how their chemistry rises and stuff and what complications they face, and
• Thirdly: The end.. always with either a cliffhanger, or the whole thing, (preferably, the whole thing)

For me, outline shouldn’t only explain the story, but how the characters/leads are too. That helps me understand their chemistry, how they will be in the future, what mindset they have etc”

Editor Olesia: “From my experience, the outline should include a main conflict. Like the main reason why we want to read the book further is because we want the conflict to be resolved. So, describing the main characters struggles  and what conflict they are about to resolve is a must!”

What do you think is the preferred length for an outline?

Editor Ava: “I believe a good outline should be between 1,000 to 1,500 words, with 2,000 words as the absolute maximum. Once it goes beyond that, chances are the author is either repeating themselves or starting to write the actual chapters instead of outlining the story. An outline should be focused and efficient—it’s meant to map the story, not tell it in full detail.”

Editor Jasmine: “Reading long outlines often honestly confuses me. Sometimes authors write the same thing over and over again after a few twists. I don’t know why. And mostly they write dialogues in the middle of it, which definitely confuses me because they feel more like chapters instead of outlines. So yes, keeping the outline short, as simple as it can be, and only explaining what major plot twists are there in the story while maintaining the “character’s aura” is definitely a good outline.”

What are the possible reasons for an outline rejection?

Editor Jasmine: “Honestly whenever I see Ai, I reject it. I’ve read books with AI outline and human written chapters. And what the AI is saying is totally different from what the chapters are portraying, so no sense of reading it and wasting time.”

Editor Ava: “When it comes to story outlines, I’m not a fan of the vague kind—the ones that feel more like teasers than plans. I usually reject an outline if it doesn’t clearly show what the story is about from beginning to end.

To me, a good outline should be striking and complete. It should give a clear sense of the characters, the direction of the plot, and how things unfold. I want to know what to expect—not just the setup, but also the turning points and the resolution.

If an outline ends with a question like, “Will she survive?” or “Can they uncover the truth before it’s too late?”, that’s not an outline—that’s a blurb. And while blurbs are great for marketing, they don’t help much when you’re trying to understand the structure or purpose of a story. An outline should inform, not tease. 

That said, ending your outline with a cliffhanger can be acceptable too—but only if you’re still unsure about how the story ends. Even then, it should be presented in a way that allows us to clearly understand the overall vision of your story:

And for this, here’s a perfectly written outline as an illustration by our editor Jasmine—one that covers the major conflict, clearly conveys the overall vision of the story, yet ends with a powerful cliffhanger.

His Throne, His Pride, All Mine!

Lyla Hale had only two things that ever belonged to her: her unwavering love for her best friend, Eli, and the hope that one day her fated mate would see her as more than just the lowborn she was born as. It worked at first. Despite being an omega, seen as an outcast, bullied and labelled a lowlife she-wolf, everything changed when her fated mate finally acknowledged her, promising her a better life. 

It went so smoothly at first. No bullying, no hate comments, no physical trauma endured. Why would anyone even dare? She was soon-to-be Luna of the pack. But that night, that specific night, Lyla’s hope shatters the day Eli is found dead. With a dagger pierced through her heart, Lyla, in desperate attempts to still save her, pushed it out, and was discovered. 

Now she was framed for the brutal murder of the one person who had always been there for her. It crumbled her the most when her mate, Alpha heir Stefan Thorne, turned a blind eye to her pleas and marked her a traitor and a murderer. Without a legal trial, he severed their bond with cold rejection. Banished from the only home she’s ever known, Lyla is left broken, branded a rogue, forced to wander alone.

But fate isn’t finished with her yet.

Months into exile, a hidden truth digs its way to Lyla. Revealing the only truth that could make her unalive, even when still breathing. Her mate, her supposed mate, was the one who murdered Elara. Why? Because the poor girl had discovered his dirty secret: he was cheating on Lyla with a rival pack’s daughter, someone whose pack killed thousands of their people, yet still so deep in love, Stefan decided to mate with, not her, but her beauty. Eli planned to tell Lyra the truth. She was almost there when she saw and felt the dagger piercing through her skin, leaving her breathless within seconds. 

Now, Lyla returns not to plead her innocence or to reason with the pack. She’s here for vengeance, not for herself but for the one who’s been her biggest supporter.

Armed with vengeance and a new ally who no one knows of, a rogue-turned-warrior who becomes her chosen mate and fiercest protector, Lyla is no longer the soft-spoken, soft-hearted, decent and someone who would let anyone shatter her and break her into pieces, no. She was back with strength, boldness, hatred, fire, and the need to burn all those who did her and Eli wrong. 

And Omega, turned into a wild hunter. She’s back, and she’s never backing down now. Because-

“He stole everything from me. Now I’ll take what he fears most!. His power, his pride, his ambitions, and the one thing he loves the most,  His Throne.”

So, if your outline is presented in this manner—even if it doesn’t summarize the story from beginning to end—rest assured, it will definitely be approved by our team of editors.

Enjoy reading articles like this, written with the combined knowledge of our professional editorial team?

Then, we’ve got another one up on the blog—“How to Create the Perfect Book Title.”

We hope this blog not only answers your questions but also helps you grow on your writing journey.

Good luck, everyone,

Best wishes from the Alphanovel Editorial Team!

We all know every great story deserves a great ending. But let’s be real – ending a novel can be just as tricky as starting it. You’ve spent countless hours weaving this story, falling in love with your characters (or cursing them out), and now… it’s time to wrap it all up with a bow. But here’s the thing: knowing when and how to end your novel is key to making sure your story leaves a lasting impact — not a lingering “ugh, why didn’t this end five chapters ago?” reaction.

And let’s be honest – that’s the kind of reaction no writer wants. A strong ending isn’t just about tying up loose ends – it’s about knowing when your story has said enough. And sometimes, the problem isn’t a bad ending – it’s that the story just didn’t know when to end.

Why Not to Drag Out Your Novel

Look, we all love a juicy story that keeps us flipping pages, but here’s a little secret: readers can tell when you’re just stalling for time. Over-dragging your novel or running around in circles with no clear goals doesn’t just waste words – it tires out your audience.

When a story overstays its welcome, it can feel like that friend who keeps hinting they’re going home but never actually leaves.

Basically, it’s a buzzkill! Readers want stories with momentum – a sense of purpose that drives them forward. If you’re adding filler scenes, or if your characters keep revisiting the same conflict without resolution, it might be time to hit the brakes and find your ending.

Why a Good Ending Matters

Endings are your last chance to make an impression. They’re like the dessert after a great meal: the final taste that lingers. A good ending can:

• Satisfy readers and make them recommend your book to everyone they know.

• Tie up loose ends in a way that feels natural (even if not every question is answered).

• Leave readers feeling something – whether that’s bittersweet, hopeful, or haunted.

A bad ending, on the other hand, can undo all the magic you built up. Nobody wants to invest hours in a book just to end up thinking, “Wait, that’s it?” Readers naturally expect a satisfying conclusion, so it’s especially disappointing when the ending feels abrupt, flat, and leaves no lingering, memorable impression.

Ways to End Your Novel (Besides Happily Ever After)

Okay, so not every story needs a fairy-tale ending. Here are a few other ways to end your novel, plus a little example scene to go with each:

The Bittersweet Ending:

Not everything works out perfectly, but there’s still hope or a sense of growth.

Example scene:

She watched the sun dip below the horizon, the ache in her chest softening just a little. Tomorrow would still come, even if it wasn’t what she’d imagined.

The Open-Ended Ending:

Leave some questions hanging, so the reader can ponder what might happen next.

Example scene:

He stood at the train station, ticket in hand. The train roared into view – and with a quiet smile, he stepped aboard.

The Full Circle Ending:

Mirror the beginning in some way to bring the story back around.

Example scene:

She ran her fingers over the dusty piano keys, the same melody from that long-ago night echoing in her mind. Funny how things always found their way home.

The Cliffhanger Ending:

Perfect if you’re planning a sequel or want to leave your reader on the edge of their seat.

Example scene:

She heard footsteps behind her, and when she turned – everything went black.

The Tragic Ending:

Sometimes, the story demands a heartbreak that readers will never forget.

Example scene:

He reached out for her, but the light was already fading from her eyes. A tear slipped down his cheek as he whispered her name.

Wrap it Up!

So, whether you’re ending your novel on a hopeful note, a tragic one, or somewhere in between – just make sure it feels true to the story. Your characters deserve a proper send-off, and your readers do too.

Remember: don’t drag it out if you don’t have to. Know when your story has reached its natural conclusion, and stick that landing. Because a great ending doesn’t just close the book – it makes the whole journey worth it.

Happy writing!

Your editor, Reliance

Written by the Editorial Team!

This blog post was mainly inspired by our team of editors who, after reviewing a variety of books, noticed a recurring pattern: abstract book titles, book titles that fail to engage the reader, or don’t offer any real reason to pick up the book in the first place.

Editor Jasmine states: “A lot of books are really good but their title is something opposite of what the book actually is.”

Editor Lichance states: “I come across a couple of really nice books but with abstract book titles”

It’s clear: a weak title can sink a great book. So our team came together to do something about it. We asked ourselves: What actually makes a book title work? And more importantly, how can authors consistently come up with better ones?

This post is our answer — a simple guide to writing book titles that attract, intrigue, and truly reflect the story inside.

Let’s talk about how to craft a title that does your story justice — and actually gets it into the hands of readers who’ll love it:

A good book title should include three key elements

Editor Lichance states: “A strong title should do three things fast:

1. Tell you the trope

2. Hint at the drama

3. Set the vibe

Readers should instantly know what kind of book they’re about to walk into, just from the title. If your title doesn’t scream what the story’s serving, they’re not clicking. No one’s guessing, as there’s too many options.”

Editor Ava adds, explaining in detail: “Here’s how: Instead of using simple words like “Real” or “My life story” as your book title, you can craft something that gives hints about the genre or plot captivating the targeted audience with layers of suspense.

Let’s talk about crafting a compelling book title using popular books on Alphanovel for reference:

First, “My Triplet Alpha Stepbrother Mates“

—From the book title you can clearly tell the genre is werewolf, with the keywords Alpha and Mates.
—From Stepbrother Mates, you can also tell the trope is Reverse Harem.
—The title sparks curiosity like:
• Why wasn’t she mated to just any random person — but to her stepbrothers?
• Not just one of them, but all three?
• Would the female lead even accept being in a relationship with her stepbrothers?

A perfect title sparks curiosity without giving the whole story away.

Now, let’s analyze the second title: “Rejected by the Alpha, Wanted by the Lycan King“

Keywords: Alpha, Lycan King, Rejected
Genre: Werewolf
Trope: Rejected Love & Second-Chance Mate

What curiosity does it spark?

• Why was she rejected by the Alpha?
• Since she was already mated to the Alpha, can she also be claimed by the Lycan King?
• Is it a second-chance mate story?
• If the Alpha wants her back, will she return to him?

While you’re busy crafting an unforgettable plot, remember — readers usually don’t see the storyline first. What grabs their attention first is the title. Make it count!

Your Title Is the First Impression Your Story Makes

Your title is the first impression your story makes: It can intrigue a reader, set expectations, and even hint at the emotional journey ahead. But if it feels misleading, confusing, or disconnected, readers might never give your book the chance it deserves.

Editor Reliance states: “When I’m personally coming up with a title in my book, I try to keep it specific, quite brief , emotionally engaging, and aligned with the main message of the novel.

When I’m writing a dark romance, I know the title has to carry a certain weight. It should hint at the intensity and the passion of the story. I personally ask myself: What is the core conflict that drives my book? What are the themes of the novel? What particular event brought about the conflicts in the book? What are my ml and fl characters personalities?

I have a novel, “A bride for the Don”, and asking myself these questions helped me get the title. Because the core conflict was the chaotic relationship between the Don and his newly wed wife, the event that sparked the entire book’s formation was getting the Don a bride following his late father’s wish. So it helped guide me toward a title that didn’t just sound good, but felt true to the story.”

Editor Tisha adds: “Choosing a good title for your book comes down to balancing creativity with clarity. Firstly, all titles must reflect the core idea or emotion of the story. Of course, based on genre. If it’s a Romance novel, try a title that’s romantic and if the story is revenge go for a title that gives mystery vibes.”

Choose words that reflect your story’s potential

The goal is to use potential words and not some long titles that are over the top or too exaggerated. Besides, our authors are gifted with the power of words, so why not play with common phrases or make contradictory titles?

Editor Jasmine states: “I know personally, a book title must be not too long, or not too short.”

Editor Tisha: “I think short titles are often more powerful than longer titles. I have seen multiple novels on Alphanovel that have “way too long titles” and readers simply skip it. Whereas a short title is quick to read and get an idea of what the novel is about. So avoid overusing words or trends unless you have a twist — words like “dark,” “secret,” “shadow” are common — use them only if they’re central to your plot.”

Editor Alejandra adds: “The most important part of choosing a title is using strong, attention-grabbing words — but not the ones that feel overused. Your title should be easy to remember, make sense for your story, and stand out without being too dramatic or confusing.”

At the end of the day, a great title won’t write your story — but it will open the door.

You’ve got the power of words — now give them a name that readers can’t ignore.

Keep writing. Keep naming. The right readers are there, waiting for your words! 

Happy writing,

AlphaNovel’s Editorial Team!

One thing every author aiming to write a successful book should know is what readers want in the first chapter:

Because it’s not just “the first chapter”—it plays a crucial role in determining the fate of the entire book.

Just like the title, cover, and book description are meant to grab the reader’s attention and act as a hook, the first chapter serves a similar purpose—it draws the reader in and encourages them to keep reading.

Since it holds such importance, you need to understand how to weave in key elements: the thrill, the suspense or cliffhanger, a reason to turn the page, and more—all within just one chapter.

After all, you’re not just writing for yourself—you’re writing for an audience. And making sure that the audience is engaged should be one of your main priorities, right?

So in this article, we’re going to explore and break down exactly what readers are looking for in the first chapter—along with guidance on how to deliver it.

1. Avoid cliches

Avoid using overused beginnings, such as:

• Waking up,

• Starting the day with breakfast, or

• Describing the weather.

These are openings we’ve all read countless times—they don’t grab attention or spark curiosity.

One thing that makes a book stand out in the eyes of readers is its uniqueness. And that uniqueness starts with a powerful hook.

Instead, consider starting your story with:

• A gripping line of dialogue that demands explanation, or

• A shocking moment—something sudden or intense that pulls the reader straight into the middle of the action.

Start with something that makes readers ask questions. Who are these people? What just happened? What’s at stake?

Give them a reason to keep turning the page. Your opening should be a door they can’t help but walk through.

Note: Unless you can add a twist that truly surprises the reader or hooks them right away, avoid starting with a cliché. It immediately gives the impression that the story is something they’ve seen before—and that’s the fastest way to lose their interest.

2. Too Much Description

The main focus of the first chapter is to meet the reader’s expectations and grab their interest, so you need to do that as quickly as possible. However, too much description—especially when it doesn’t add importance to the story—can slow down the pace, and we don’t want that.

For example: Long descriptions of a building, an office, a school, a wedding venue, and more can often slow the plot and bore the reader, as they don’t contribute to the essence of the story or give a clear reason to turn to the next page.

Note: Description is allowed and can be effective, but it shouldn’t be too lengthy. If the entire first chapter is just about the character waking up, being late to school, the journey to school, and a detailed description of the school building, then it lacks a compelling reason for the reader to keep going.

Keep in mind that, the ideal balance for a story is about 60% dialogue and 40% narrative. Maintaining a moderate level of both dialogue and narrative helps create an engaging and smooth reading experience for all readers.

3. Good English & Punctuation Marks

The importance of having good English in a story is that it gives off the first impression that the author is a professional writer 

However, the English should be at a moderate level—not too many complex words and not too simple either.

This is because using overly complex language can make the text difficult for some readers to follow, especially if they aren’t fluent or familiar with certain vocabulary. On the other hand, if the language is too simple, it might come across as dull or too basic, which could make the content less engaging or even feel less pleasing especially for more experienced readers.

Striking a balance ensures the message is clear while still holding the reader’s interest, making the writing more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience. Additionally, study your punctuation marks, as they play a key role in creating a smooth and natural reading experience.

Tools like grammarly/google docs to aid in proofreading are highly effective and recommended.

4. Avoid Overcrowding the Scene

The first chapter shouldn’t be overloaded with too much happening or too many characters showing up at once, as this can overwhelm readers and, in most cases, cause confusion. 

Your aim should be to make your story easy to read while still being engaging

Because…

• Introducing too many things going on too soon can weaken the impact of your opening and make it harder for readers to connect with your world or characters;
• it can make your narrative feel rushed and unfocused. 

Rather:

• Make your beginning clear and focused, giving each moment and character enough room to stand out

5. Too Much Information Can Be Off-Putting

As much as we want to grab the reader’s interest, giving too much information upfront can feel overwhelming or dull, leaving them with little eagerness to continue. The key is to strike a balance between what the reader needs to know right away and what can be introduced gradually to build tension and thrill.

To keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to read more, drop a hint—just enough to spark curiosity. Like a subtle clue in dialogue, a mysterious line, or a chilling warning that promises something big ahead without spoiling the surprise.

Example:

“There’s a new alpha in town… and he’s nothing like us. He’s feared, respected—and downright evil. Rumor has it he’s been mated five times, but all his mates died mysteriously. And now, there’s talk that he’s been mated again—and he sensed his mate is here, in our pack. Whoever gets chosen… will be cursed, because what comes after being mated to him?… DEATH!”

See? It’s gripping, clear, and suspenseful, with just enough of a tease to hint at something big. If your first chapter kicks off with a scene like this, it’s the perfect way to grab the reader’s attention and build anticipation for what’s to come.

Questions immediately flood the reader’s mind:

• Who is the unlucky one?
  
• What becomes of them?
  
• What happened to his other mates?
  
• And will his new mate die too?

And many more.

These unanswered questions and that pull of raw curiosity are what keep readers turning the page.

6. Do not drag out a scene for too long

One of the common mistakes writers make is lingering too much on a single moment, often with the intention of helping readers better understand the situation. 

However, too much detail can slow down the story, make it feel boring, and weaken the impact of the scene.

Aim to provide just enough information to ground the reader, then keep the story moving to hold readers’ attention.

7. End with a cliffhanger

Not only do we aim for readers to read the first chapter, but we also want them to be intrigued enough to turn to the next page. One way to achieve this is by ending the chapter with a cliffhanger.

For example:

“She found an envelope lying at the front of her door. She opened the envelope—and froze.”

This sparks the reader’s curiosity and raises questions like:

• What did she find in the envelope?
  
• Who sent it?
  and more.

With these questions in mind, the reader will be curious enough to want to read the next chapter and keep going.

Found this helpful?

There are plenty of other blog posts here to support and strengthen your writing journey—from “how to write a killer book blurb” to “passing the review process,” and now, understanding what readers want in the first chapter.

This blog is designed to help you grow every step of the way. So take your time scrolling through, reading, and learning—because each post brings you one step closer to becoming the writer you’re meant to be. 🥰💕

Happy Writing~

Your Editor, Ava

Criticism makes us the most vulnerable people in the world. It pulls us down to the earth and makes us question everything we have done so far. But does it matter if it’s a bad one? 

Of course not. 

Books for authors are their life’s work. Their ambition, and what they desired to achieve. They have pulled all-nighters to be where they are. Bruised their fingertips, and had so many cups of coffee just because they needed to check that deadline. So many things and fights they’ve been through just to be where they are. 

Is it logical or valid to have just one review ruin that all? 

Reviews are a lot like rejections — they come and go, and they often linger in your mind. Some may even haunt you. But what truly matters is how you choose to respond to them. It’s strange how we tend to weigh feedback unevenly: when someone leaves a positive comment, it feels validating — even though deep down, you already know your book is good. But when it’s a negative one, suddenly your confidence shakes. Why? Why let a single opinion outweigh your belief in your own work? You wrote it. You trusted it. You lived and loved every part of it. Don’t let someone else’s voice drown out your own.

Or simply use the ‘song quote’ by Camila Cabello “if you don’t like my story, you can write your own” Pass a smile, and continue with the rest of your work. 

There’s also a difference between working on bad reviews and acting on bad reviews. So first, you need to understand that:

Constructive Feedback Isn’t Always Negative

Not all comments and reviews are negative. Sometimes, in the rush of writing countless chapters and hitting high word counts, it’s easy to accidentally repeat yourself or create contradictions without realizing it. When a reader points something like that out, take it as a helpful gesture. Acknowledge their input, respond politely, thank them for noticing, and — if needed — make the correction after reviewing it carefully. And if you’re confident there’s no mistake, feel free to kindly clarify. Either way, treat it as a moment to connect, not confront.

Let’s say a reader leaves a harsh review — but their critique is actually logical and points out something valid. Because the book is our passion project, something we’ve poured our heart into, we might feel defensive and ignore what they said, even if it’s true. Instead of taking a moment to reflect, we may rush to justify ourselves or argue back — without even checking for that small mistake they highlighted.

But what we say online stays online. It’s important to handle situations like this thoughtfully and respond in a way that’s respectful and constructive for everyone involved.

When faced with negative reviews, don’t let them spiral into something bigger. Sometimes, choosing not to react is the best response. That said, patience has its limits. It won’t fix everything, and we need to accept that people think differently — we can’t control how they feel, but we can choose how we respond.

Remain Professional

No matter how a review is delivered — whether it’s thoughtful, harsh, or even rude — it’s important to remain professional in your response. As authors, your reputation isn’t built only on your writing, but also on how you handle feedback. Responding with grace, maturity, and respect reflects well on you and your work.

While it may be criticism, remember that these are still your readers — people who took the time to read, engage with, and even participate in your craft. Acknowledging their efforts, even when the feedback is tough, shows character and deepens the connection between you and your audience.

Regardless, let’s not forget that, at the end of the day, we are authors — true authors — and creators. That means we have every right to shape our world the way we want to. And if we constantly write only to please others or keep changing what’s written in our stories to match every expectation, what’s the point.

Don’t underestimate your book. And mostly yourself. What we write is what we feel, live and want to express. And no one should be given the privilege to change that.

Many of you may already know Billie Jo Priestley as the mind behind popular AlphaNovel hits like Luna Battle The Game, Your Dads Perfect, Stepbrothers Raven, and others. These stories haven’t just gained attention—they’ve earned thousands of fans and dedicated readers who can’t get enough of her intense characters, emotional twists, and gripping plots.

We decided to learn what stands behind the genius of our popular author!

In this Q&A, she opens up about how writing became both an outlet and a lifeline, what her day-to-day looks like as a full-time author and parent, and the journey that led her to connect more deeply with readers through AlphaNovel.

How did your writing journey start?

My writing journey began when I was just a child, thanks to a nationwide poetry competition run by Waterstones. Every school across the UK took part, and to my complete shock, I won. After that, poetry became my secret outlet, though life eventually swept me up in the chaos of family and growing up. Writing stories was always my escape, the place I could pour out whatever I couldn’t say out loud. But somewhere along the way, I stopped writing altogether, and honestly, it took a toll on me. In 2017, I finally dusted off my old notebooks and decided to pick it all back up. That year became the turning point, I began writing again, and even pushed myself to share the stories with others. I then realised, I put a lot of myself into the stories, and reflected my life in my characters. I haven’t looked back since.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself outside of writing? What does a typical day look like for you?

I’m a full-time writer, but my day always starts with family. I’m up at six am to get my kids ready for school, then I do a quick clean before diving into work. Most of my writing happens between 8am and 3pm, when the house is quiet with an insane amount of tea! Afternoons are for homework help, dinner, and catching up with my partner and kids. Once everyone’s in bed, I usually squeeze in another hour of writing or answering messages from readers. It’s busy, a bit chaotic, but it works, and I’ve learned to write in the middle of it all

Outside of that, I’m a massive music lover. My playlists are all over the place which many people complain over. Johnny Cash one minute, Eminem the next, with some Youngblud and Nine Inch Nails thrown in for good measure. I also love trying new things, whether it’s painting, knitting, cross-stitching, cover designing. I’m not great at many of them, but I always have fun trying.

What’s something your readers might be surprised to learn about you?

Growing up, I wasn’t surrounded by books. I didn’t have shelves full of stories or parents who read to me at night. The only books I came across were the ones handed out in school and even then, I rarely was able to finish them or enjoy them. It wasn’t until I was nineteen that I started reading full books on my own and finally discovered how powerful stories could be. So I didn’t grow up as a bookworm, but once I found that love for reading, it never left me.

What book (or author) made you fall in love with storytelling?

Lora Leigh’s Elite Ops series was the first set of books I ever truly connected with. It was the first time I found myself completely lost in a story and loving every minute of it. That series opened the door for me, helping me discover the kind of books that spoke to me and showed me just how powerful storytelling could be.

When you’re starting a new book, what comes first: the plot, the characters, or a single scene?

Usually, it starts with a single scene or a spark of plot. I can be deep into another story when suddenly my brain shifts gears and throws a completely new idea at me. Once that happens, I have to start writing it, even just a little because if I don’t it takes over my thoughts completely. That’s how I end up working on more than one book at a time. If I don’t get the new story out of my head, I can’t focus on anything else.

How do you approach writing consistently, especially when juggling life outside of your author career?

Honestly, it’s a lot easier now that all my kids are in high school, before then everything was hectic. Now, they leave the house at seven, and I practically sprint to my laptop like it’s the last slice of cake. I try to stay ahead by writing extra chapters in advance, especially since one of my kids has unpredictable hospital visits. It’s like playing a game of “Guess When Life Will Interrupt Me Next.” I’m the same if there is holidays coming up, or birthdays and such. I prep for it, I stockpile chapters ready to release if anything happens that stops me from writing.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received—or one you’ve discovered for yourself?

The best advice I ever got was actually something I was already doing without realising it. I’ve always had at least two stories on the go, and I used to think I was a bit mad for juggling them. But when I mentioned it to another author and mentioned stopping and sticking to one story, they told me, “It’s smart to write more than one. Writers get blocked because they force their minds to stick to one story. Switching between projects gives your creativity space to breathe.” That really stuck with me as I was about to switch to writing one story at a time. It made me realise I wasn’t weird, I was just giving my brain room to play.

How has your experience on AlphaNovel shaped or changed your writing process?

AlphaNovel was one of the first platforms where I truly had active readers, yes I’d published before, but the only feedback I ever got was an occasional end-of-book review and that’s if I was lucky. On AlphaNovel, getting comments as readers move through each chapter has changed everything. I can actually see how people are reacting in real time. If a chapter’s meant to be emotional and no one’s crying, I know I’ve missed the mark. That kind of instant feedback helps me adjust, grow, and connect with readers in a much more personal way

What would you say to an author who feels stuck or discouraged about their story’s performance or progress?

Don’t give up. I started writing in 2017, and it wasn’t until 2024 that I was finally able to write like it was a full time job and live off my income. Writing isn’t something that takes off overnight, it’s a slow build. Focus on connecting with your readers, especially through social media, because they often reach out with questions or support, and those connections matter more than you think. If you’re feeling stuck on a book, start something new for a while. Step away from the story that’s giving you trouble, then come back to it after a week or two and read it like a reader, not the author. Take notes, notice what feels off. Sometimes we get discouraged because we’re too close to the story, and all it takes is a little space and a fresh perspective to find the spark again.

Billie Jo is proof that resilience, real-life experience, and the courage to restart can lead to powerful storytelling. Her journey is a reminder that every story matters — and that sometimes, the stories we write help us heal just as much as they entertain others.

Looking for the perfect setting to match your steamy romance or pulse-pounding drama? Summer is the season of transformation, temptation, and tension—a goldmine for authors looking to spark fresh inspiration. Whether you’re penning a slow-burn romance or a fast-paced thriller, here are some vibrant summer settings that can bring your story to life.

Seaside Small Town

Imagine a quiet beach town where everyone knows each other—and where secrets are hard to hide. This kind of setting is perfect for stories about healing, new beginnings, and romantic surprises. Picture walks on the boardwalk, beach bonfires at night, and first kisses during the fireworks.

Luxury Island Resort

Hot weather, beautiful views, and a touch of mystery. An exclusive island resort can be full of drama and romance. You can write about secret love between guests and staff, or unexpected events during a luxury vacation. The peaceful setting makes the tension in the story stand out even more.

Road Trip Across the Country

Few things feel more free than a road trip. Put two different characters in a car and let them travel together. Use stops at small towns, strange motels, and deep conversations by the roadside to grow their relationship. Each stop adds something new to their story.

Summer Camp Revisited

Summer camp isn’t just for kids. Maybe your characters were camp counselors with a shared past, or they return for a reunion and face old emotions. Think about wooden cabins, late-night swims, and memories that aren’t as happy as they seem. It’s a great setting for drama and romance!

Festival Season

Big festivals full of music, food, or tradition can be great for storytelling. These fun, crowded events are perfect for surprise meetings, fast love stories, or characters learning something new about themselves. Neon lights, loud music, and dancing under the stars make everything more exciting!

Tips for Writing Summer Settings:

• Use sensory details: the smell of sunscreen, the sound of cicadas, the sticky-sweet taste of melting popsicles.
• Let the heat influence mood and behavior. High temperatures can heighten tempers—and passions.
• Contrast light, carefree days with underlying emotional complexity to add depth.

Summer is more than a season—it’s a mood. Make your setting sizzle and your story will too.

Ready to bring your summer romance or drama to life? Head to the Writer’s Portal and start your next chapter today.

In case you have any questions, you can contact us at [email protected]