Wendy Ogilvie Editorial

The Editorial Journal.

Writing advice, storytelling insights and editorial guidance for authors who want to create stronger, more compelling manuscripts.

Explore crime and romance fiction, character development, story structure and the craft of editing.

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Latest Articles & Insights

Discover Wendy's latest writing advice, editorial perspectives and insights into creating compelling fiction.

How to Build a Believable Romance: A Guide for Writers

Romance writing · Writing craft How to build a believable romance Making every stage of the relationship count Attraction is only the beginning Have you ever watched a film or read a book where two characters fancy each other, exchange witty dialogue and share a...

How to Write a Dual-Timeline Mystery: An Actionable Guide to Structure, Clues and Reveals

A practical guide to planning two storylines, planting fair clues and revising a reveal that rewards your reader. A dual-timeline novel isn’t about time travel. It’s about the past and the present telling a story. A witness remembers a summer evening. An old...

How to Choose the Right Story Structure for Your Novel

You’ve heard of the three-act structure, Save the Cat! and the Hero’s Journey. Perhaps you’ve downloaded beat sheets, studied diagrams and tried to work out which system your novel is supposed to follow. The problem is that knowing the names of several story...

The Middle Draft Roadmap: How to Revise Your Crime or Romance Novel (Without Losing Your Mind)

You’ve done it. You’ve run the marathon, survived the late-night typing sessions and finally typed those two magical words: “The End”. The initial rush of completion is an incredible feeling, and you deserve to get the Champagne out! But once the bubbles settle, a...

Story Structure for Fiction Writers: How to Build a Stronger Story

A strong story needs more than interesting characters and a promising idea. It needs a structure that guides the reader through the beginning, middle and end, while allowing the conflict, character development and tension to build naturally. In this guide, we’ll look...

Genre Blending in Fiction: How to Write and Market a Hybrid Novel

How can you combine different genres without confusing readers or making your novel difficult to sell? Some of the most memorable novels refuse to fit neatly into a single category. They combine the intrigue of a mystery with the emotional development of a romance,...

The Ultimate Scene Tension Checklist: 30 Questions to Strengthen Every Scene

If your scene feels a little ‘meh’ or ‘mmm’ then there’s probably nothing happening to move the story forward. In other words... it’s flat. Whether it’s a short scene or long, something needs to happen or something needs to shift, even if it’s the character’s current...

Conflict In Fiction: Stop Writing Obstacles And Start Writing Choices

If your story feels flat, the problem may not be that “nothing happens”. It may be that plenty happens, but your characters are not being forced to make difficult, meaningful choices. In this article, we’ll look at the difference between obstacles and true conflict,...

How To Create Suspense In Crime Fiction: 12 Techniques That Keep Readers Reading

Suspense is the engine that drives crime fiction. It keeps readers turning pages, searching for answers and worrying about what might happen next. Whether you're writing a police procedural, psychological thriller, cosy mystery or crime novel, learning how to create...