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LaurelLit.com

Writer, Reader, English Teacher

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Writer

I love writing, and I also love to write ABOUT writing, classic female authors, and whatever else might be on my mind. I hope you enjoy the variety!

Which Romance Trope is the Best? Let’s Look to Austen & the Brontes to Decide!

Laurel Osterkamp · August 16, 2024

There are so many popular romance novels tropes, and it can be a bit confusing, navigating them all. But fear not! Here is a rundown of six classic tropes, with examples from novels written by Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, and Charlotte Bronte. Which one is your favorite? 1. Enemies to Lovers: Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen's Pride …

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Nine Lessons on Writing a Modern Romantic Heroine

Laurel Osterkamp · April 26, 2024

Romance novels have hit the mainstream. Just look at the shelves on your next bookstore visit. You’ll find a ton of illustrated covers in various shades of pastel, each with blurbs on the back promising a funny yet profound love story. These novels all have several things in common, like the romance novel tropes that readers expect. More importantly, the female protagonist is both believable and compelling.  From character development to plot progression, …

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How to Write Amazing Banter

Laurel Osterkamp · April 12, 2024

The very best romantic novels have  main characters– friends, rivals, or lovers (or perhaps all three)--with an amazing dynamic. They connect on a whole different level;  they speak their own private language. That, my friend, is an example of effective banter. But how do you write amazing banter? It isn't easy, but it's essential for creating a compelling and dynamic relationship between your main characters. Banter adds depth, humor, and realism to character interactions. It reveals …

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Use the Enneagram For Awesome Character Development & Conflict

Laurel Osterkamp · March 1, 2024

  You’ve heard it before; the first step of writing a novel is determining your main character's wants and needs. Easy, right? Not always. Good news. If you're feeling stuck on this not-so-basic first step, there's something that can help. You can use The Enneagram to develop awesome character development and conflict. What we want and need is often determined by our personalities. For example, in The Hunger Games, both Peeta and Katniss are thrust into the same …

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What’s the Rule of Three, and How do You Use it in Your Writing?

Laurel Osterkamp · December 8, 2023

The number three is everywhere when it comes to fiction writing.

But what is the rule of three, and how do you use it in your writing?

No doubt, you're aware of the three-act structure. There's also the comedy rule of three, the rule of three to build suspense, the technique of grouping together three elements to emphasize a point or idea, and of course, love triangles. But what's so magical about the number three?

Three-act structure: …

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