Thriller Author Stacey Carroll
Open menu
  • Home
  • Genre Articles
  • Short Stories
  • SC Thoughts
  • Buy Me a Coffee
  • Sc Store
    • Store
    • Books on Amazon
    • Stacey's Amazon Storefront
    • The Velvette Library Stories and Curiosities (on Payhip)
    • Velvet Library Merch via Printful

Side Menu

  • Beginning Author
  • Intermediate Author
  • Advanced Author
  • English Grammar Tips
  • Literacy & Reading History
  • Book Publishing
  • Book Promotion
  • Book Review Info
  • Freelance Writing
  • Ink and Income
  • Learn the Differences Between Being a Freelancer VS. a Novelist
  • Novel Classifications and Word Counts
  • Food Recipes for Homecooking
  • Amazon Affiliate Information
  • Books
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. Beginning Author

The Dark Forest Scroll: 10 Curses of Terrible Writing Advice (and How to Break Them)

Details
Published: 25 September 2025
Hits: 21
  • Article Excerpt (Intro): Somewhere deep in a mist-choked forest lies a scroll older than memory. Its parchment is frayed, its ink black as tar, and it whispers to any who dare unroll it. Within are not spells of power, but curses—ten pieces of writing advice so poisonous they can unravel a new author’s confidence before the first chapter is born. Yet every curse has its counter-spell. Read on, and I’ll show you the ten worst writing “tips” that masquerade as wisdom—and how to break them before they break you.

Read more: The Dark Forest Scroll: 10 Curses of Terrible Writing Advice (and How to Break Them)

16 Things No One Tells You About Becoming a Fulltime Writer

Details
Published: 18 September 2025
Hits: 97
  • Article Excerpt (Intro): Becoming a fulltime writer sounds glamorous: working from home, calling the shots, and getting paid to do what you love. The reality? It’s messier, lonelier, and far more unpredictable than most people let on. Here’s what no one tells you about the unfiltered truth of life as a fulltime writer.

Read more: 16 Things No One Tells You About Becoming a Fulltime Writer

How to Overcome Writer’s Block: Proven Techniques to Get Unstuck and Keep Writing

Details
Published: 01 July 2025
Hits: 437
  • Social Media Image:

 

Writer’s block is one of the most frustrating experiences for any writer. That blank page can feel like an insurmountable barrier, stopping your creativity cold and sapping your motivation. But the good news? Writer’s block is a common challenge — and there are proven techniques you can use to break through and keep your writing momentum going.

In this post, you’ll discover practical strategies to get unstuck, spark your creativity, and build a writing routine that keeps the words flowing, even on tough days.

Read more: How to Overcome Writer’s Block: Proven Techniques to Get Unstuck and Keep Writing

Should You Use AI to Write Fiction? The Pros and Cons for New Writers

Details
Published: 13 June 2025
Hits: 707
  • Social Media Image:

 

Artificial Intelligence is showing up in every corner of the writing world—from brainstorming tools to full-on story generators. If you’re a new fiction writer, you might be wondering: Is using AI to write stories cheating, or is it a helpful tool?

It’s a fair question—especially if you’re just starting out and haven’t built up much writing experience yet. While AI can offer major advantages, it can also create creative roadblocks and slow your growth as a writer if you're not careful.

Here’s a beginner-friendly breakdown of the pros and cons of using AI to write fiction, so you can make the right decision for your goals and growth.

Read more: Should You Use AI to Write Fiction? The Pros and Cons for New Writers

The Pros and Cons of the One Draft Method for Writing a Fiction Book

Details
Published: 13 June 2025
Hits: 409
  • Social Media Image:

 

Writing a novel can be emotionally exhausting, especially when perfectionism, self-doubt, or burnout take over. For many writers, the constant urge to revise every sentence can make the process feel more like pressure than passion. The One Draft Method offers an alternative: a low-stress, judgment-free approach to getting your story out of your head and onto the page. In this article, we’ll break down what the One Draft Method is, its pros and cons, and how it can help protect your mental health while reigniting your creative flow.

What Is the One Draft Method?

The One Draft Method—also known as “writing in one go” or “one and done”—is a writing approach where authors aim to complete an entire fiction manuscript in a single, uninterrupted draft without stopping to edit, revise, or overthink. The core idea is to silence your inner critic and focus entirely on getting the story out from start to finish.

While it’s not for everyone, many authors swear by the method to increase productivity and reduce perfectionism. But is it right for you?

Let’s break down the pros and cons of using the One Draft Method for your novel.

Read more: The Pros and Cons of the One Draft Method for Writing a Fiction Book

  1. The Best Writing Apps for Authors on the Go: Stay Creative Anytime, Anywhere
  2. 7 Creative Writing Prompts to Spark Your First Fiction Story
  3. Should You Use a Pen Name? What Types of Writers Choose One And Why
  4. 5 Reasons to Include Dialogue in Your Fiction Writing

Page 1 of 18

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10

Footer Menu

  • Site Cookies
  • How to Stay Anonymous on This Site and every Other Site You Visit
  • Ad Systems Used on Staceycarroll.org
  • Terms of Service (TOS)
  • Privacy Policy
  • Stacey Carroll
  • Mr. Fuzz Approves (TM)

Mr. Fuzz Approves

  • Mr. Fuzz Approves the Basics

    Greetings, humans. It has come to my attention that some of you still cannot decide which books to...

    Read More …

Newest Articles

  • The Dark Forest Scroll: 10 Curses of Terrible Writing Advice (and How to Break Them)
  • If You Let AI Write Your Book, Don’t Call Yourself an Author
  • If You’re Still Taking “Exposure Gigs,” You’re Not Freelancing — You’re Being Exploited
  • 🎃 Mr. Fuzz and the Velvet Library Inn Halloween Mystery
  • 16 Things No One Tells You About Becoming a Fulltime Writer
  • Novella vs Novel vs Epic — Which Is Right for You?
  • The Psychology of Word Count: How Book Length Shapes Reader Expectations
  • Finding Jaq (An SQL Vampire Hunt Story)
  • Join the Blanket Burrito Cult: Write Like Your Blanket Depends on It
  • The One Budgeting Hack Every Freelance Writer Needs