Welcome to ChapterMint
Writing a book is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. ChapterMint is a space for new writers to find encouragement, guidance, and practical tips to make the journey easier. Whether you’re starting your very first draft or picking up a story you’ve put aside, you’ll find advice here that’s friendly, clear, and designed to help you actually enjoy the process.
Getting Started with Writing
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How to Finally Start Your Book
(Even If You Feel Stuck) You know that scene in the movie where a writer suddenly finds their groove? The… Continue reading
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Do You Need an Outline?
(Plotting vs. Pantsing Explained Without the Drama) Every writer eventually hits this fork in the road:Do I plan my book?… Continue reading
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Finding Your Writing Voice
(When Everything Feels Awkward) Let’s just say it: Writing feels weird at first. You sit down, open the doc, and… Continue reading
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How Long Should Your Book Be?
(And Does Genre Matter?) One of the first questions new writers ask is:“How long should my book be?”Right behind, “Am… Continue reading
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Setting Realistic Writing Goals
(That Don’t Kill Your Soul) Let’s be honest: most writing advice is either wildly unrealistic or aggressively perky.“Write every day!”“Finish… Continue reading
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Writing Routines for People with Actual Lives
(AKA: How to Write Without Becoming a Monk) You’ve probably heard it before: “To be a real writer, you have… Continue reading
Craft & Storytelling
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What Makes a Story Work?
(Hint: It’s Not Perfect Grammar) There’s this myth floating around that good writing equals perfect writing. You’ve heard it before. Perfect grammar. Fancy vocabulary. Sentences so polished they practically glisten.… continue reading
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Understanding Character Arcs
What Is a Character Arc? A character arc is the quiet transformation happening inside your character while the loud events of your plot swirl around them. If the plot is… continue reading
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How to Write Compelling Dialogue
(Without Making Readers Cringe) Let’s be real. Dialogue is where a lot of otherwise great stories quietly go off the rails. You could have a brilliant concept, a strong plot,… continue reading
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How to Build a Believable World
(Without Writing a 300-Page Lore Bible) There’s a persistent myth among writers that in order to build a believable world, you need to craft a massive, sprawling universe that includes… continue reading
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Pacing: How Not to Bore or Overwhelm Your Reader
Pacing is one of those story elements that hides in plain sight. Most readers do not think about it when it is working. They only notice it when something feels… continue reading
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First Lines & Last Chapters
Starting Strong and Sticking the Landing Your first line is the handshake. Your last chapter is the goodbye. And both carry more weight than we like to admit. A weak… continue reading
Editing & Feedback
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The 3 Stages of Editing
How to Polish Without Losing Your Mind Editing is one of those words that makes writers wince. For some, it feels like stepping into quicksand — the more you wriggle, the deeper you sink. For others, it’s strangely satisfying, like organizing a cluttered closet or scrubbing a messy kitchen. Whichever camp you’re in, editing is…
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Self-Editing Tips (Before You Pay for a Pro)
How to Clean Up Your Draft, Sharpen Your Voice, and Save Your Editor a Few Headaches So, you’ve typed The End. You’ve survived the swampy… continue reading
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How to Find Beta Readers
(And What to Ask Them) So you’ve written a draft. You’ve self-edited. Maybe you’ve even cried a little. Now it’s time to hand your book… continue reading
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What Editors Actually Do
(And How to Choose One That Doesn’t Make You Cry) You’ve written the book. You’ve self-edited. Maybe you’ve even handed it off to a few… continue reading
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Should You Pay for a Critique?
(And What to Expect If You Do) You’ve probably seen them floating around: “manuscript critiques,” “editorial assessments,” “book coaching sessions,” and the mysterious “professional feedback… continue reading
Book Formatting & Production
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What Does “Formatting” Even Mean?
(For Real. Like… What Is It Actually?) Formatting. You’ve heard the word. You’ve seen it in software menus. Maybe you’ve even googled it once and… Continue reading
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Common Formatting Mistakes New Authors Make
(And How to Avoid Them Without Losing Your Mind) Formatting is one of those things that seems simple… until you actually try to do it.… Continue reading
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How to Format Your Book for Kindle or Print
(Without Pulling Your Hair Out) So you’ve finished your book. Congratulations. That’s a big deal. Now comes the part where you get it into the… Continue reading
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When to DIY and When to Hire Help
(Because Time, Sanity, and Quality All Matter) When it comes to formatting your book, you’ve got two options:Do it yourself or pay someone to do… Continue reading
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What to Know Before Uploading to Amazon KDP
(So You Don’t Have a Panic Attack at the Last Second) You wrote the book. You formatted it. You’re ready to hit publish. Almost. Before… Continue reading
Marketing for First-Timers
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“Build Your Platform”? What Does That Actually Mean?
If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the indie publishing world, you’ve probably heard this advice:“You need to build your author platform.” But what… Continue reading
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Easy Ways to Start an Author Newsletter
(Even If You Don’t Have an Audience Yet) Starting a newsletter can feel like shouting into the void. You sign up for an email service,… Continue reading
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Do You Really Need Social Media?
(And Which One Should You Pick?) Some authors love social media.Others would rather wrestle a bear than post another “writing update.” So let’s get honest:Do… Continue reading
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Book Launch Basics for Indie Authors
(AKA: What to Actually Do When Your Book Is Ready to Meet the World) You’ve written the book. You’ve edited it, formatted it, designed a… Continue reading
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How to Talk About Your Book Without Sounding Salesy
(AKA: How to Share Your Work Without Wanting to Cringe Into the Sun) If you’ve ever tried to talk about your book and immediately felt… Continue reading
Mindset & Community
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Imposter Syndrome: Why It’s So Common (And How to Shut It Up)
If you’ve ever thought something like: You’re not broken. You’re not unqualified. And you’re definitely not alone. You’ve just met one of the most annoying and persistent roadblocks in the creative world: imposter syndrome. This post is here to help you recognize it, understand where it comes from, and give you tools to push back…
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Writing When You’re Not Sure Anyone Will Care
(Or, Why You Should Write the Book Anyway) Let’s be honest. You can sit down with your notebook or open that blank doc and ask yourself one simple question: “What’s the point?” Will anyone read this?Will anyone care about this story?Do I even care enough to keep going? This feeling can sneak in early, like…
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How to Handle Criticism Without Spiraling
(A Survival Guide for Tender-Hearted Writers) So, you shared your work.Maybe it was a chapter. Maybe it was a whole manuscript. Maybe it was just a paragraph you were feeling weirdly proud of. And then someone didn’t love it. They gave feedback. They pointed out flaws. They misunderstood a line you were sure was brilliant.…
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The Power of Writing Groups and How to Find a Good One
(You Don’t Have to Do This Alone) Writing can feel like a solo sport. It’s just you, your idea, and a blinking cursor that may or may not be judging you. But here’s the truth.Writing is easier, better, and a whole lot more fun when you’re not doing it in a vacuum. Enter the writing…
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You Don’t Have to “Write Every Day” (And Other Toxic Myths)
(Let’s Dismantle the Hustle) There’s a certain kind of advice that floats around the writing world like gospel. You’ve probably heard it before. “Real writers write every day.”“If you’re not writing, you’re not serious.”“Writers write. That’s it.” It sounds motivational at first, until you realize it’s also kind of… judgmental. It doesn’t leave room for…
Grab Your Free Guide
Writing a book is magical, messy, and full of surprises. This article shares eight of the classic stumbles most indie authors face – plus simple ways to laugh your way past them.
8 Writers Bloopers PDF
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