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Novel Writing Academy
Insights, tips, and unique methodologies on the art of novel writing.


How to Write a Novel: "This Paragraph is Like a Favela. The 'Favela Method' – Building Layered and Densely Packed Narratives"
First of all, here I am again, with yet another term I’ve created myself... presenting my own original terminology. (I assume you’re getting used to this by now). Now, before we dive into that short paragraph from my book, let me explain what a "Favela" actually is. Favela This is the name given to the shantytowns in Brazil. The most striking feature of these neighborhoods is that they aren't built according to a master plan; instead, houses grow organically and vertically, s
Ece Çiftçi
Mar 194 min read


How to Write a Novel: "Minimalism", "Maximalism", and My Signature "Vertical Deepening" Method
First of all, "Vertical Deepening" does not exist as a established technical term or "method" in literary theory in the way I am using it here. You might find general expressions like "character depth" or "layered narration" in some places, but not under the specific name I’ve chosen. These two extreme poles of modern literature are actually about how we perceive the world. One carves away the excess to find the "essence," while the other embraces all the world’s complexity
Ece Çiftçi
Mar 195 min read


How to Write a Novel: Writing with the 5 Senses
Turn a story from something that is merely " read " into something " experienced ." Because books—unless they are textbooks or the like—transform and evolve through the meaning the reader assigns to them. We aren't just offering them words on a page; we are offering an experience. This is my ultimate goal in my own books. Based on my observations, many writers tend to stick to the same two or three senses when describing a scene, which actually disrupts the flow of the text.
Ece Çiftçi
Mar 106 min read


How To Write A Novel: "Kadraj Method" (The Framing Method)
Today, I'm excited to introduce a writing tip-or rather, a method-that I've developed myself. While principles like "Show, Don't Tell" exist in literature, there isn't a specific method that frames it through this cinematic terminology: The Kadraj Method (Cause I'm Turkish.) To help you visualize it, I'll be sharing examples from my own book characters and the scenes I've written. What İs The"Kadraj Method"? İf you want your writing to feel like it's coming through a film cam
Ece Çiftçi
Mar 47 min read
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