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Leslie "XPLovecat" Horn
Home
Novel Services
Short Stories
RPG Services
About
YouTube
Contact
Blog
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Free Outline Guide
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Free Outline Guide
Is Your Novel Idea Good Enough? 8 Ways to Find Out
Writing Craft, Novel Planning Leslie Horn 6/19/26 Writing Craft, Novel Planning Leslie Horn 6/19/26

Is Your Novel Idea Good Enough? 8 Ways to Find Out

Before you spend months writing a novel, run your idea through this 8-step assessment to find out if it has what it takes.

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How to Write Characters Who Are Nothing Like You
Writing Craft, Character Development Leslie Horn 6/19/26 Writing Craft, Character Development Leslie Horn 6/19/26

How to Write Characters Who Are Nothing Like You

If your characters all feel like slightly rebranded versions of you, this one's for you. Here's how to write characters who are truly distinct.

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How to Edit Your First Draft: A Step-by-Step Guide
Writing Craft, Editing Tips Leslie Horn 6/19/26 Writing Craft, Editing Tips Leslie Horn 6/19/26

How to Edit Your First Draft: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here's a step-by-step process for editing your first draft without completely losing your mind.

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10 Overused Phrases in Fiction That Are Killing Your Prose
Writing Craft, Editing Tips Leslie Horn 6/19/26 Writing Craft, Editing Tips Leslie Horn 6/19/26

10 Overused Phrases in Fiction That Are Killing Your Prose

An honest breakdown from the desk of a developmental editor of the most common cliché phrases in fiction, and exactly what to write instead.

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9 Common Writing Mistakes New Fiction Writers Make
Writing Craft, Editing Tips Leslie Horn 6/19/26 Writing Craft, Editing Tips Leslie Horn 6/19/26

9 Common Writing Mistakes New Fiction Writers Make

A developmental editor's honest breakdown of the 9 most common mistakes new fiction writers make, and exactly how to fix each one.

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Ernest Hemingway's Writing Routine (And What to Steal From It)
Writing Craft, Writing Routine Leslie Horn 6/19/26 Writing Craft, Writing Routine Leslie Horn 6/19/26

Ernest Hemingway's Writing Routine (And What to Steal From It)

Here’s a breakdown of Hemingway's daily writing routine. What worked for a Nobel Prize winner might actually work for you, too.

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The 5 Influence Styles That Make Characters Feel Authentic
Writing Craft, Character Development Leslie Horn 6/19/26 Writing Craft, Character Development Leslie Horn 6/19/26

The 5 Influence Styles That Make Characters Feel Authentic

Great characters don't just want things, they have a strategy for getting them. Here's how influence styles can transform your character development.

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The #1 Thing Missing From Your First Chapter
Writing Craft, Novel Planning Leslie Horn 6/19/26 Writing Craft, Novel Planning Leslie Horn 6/19/26

The #1 Thing Missing From Your First Chapter

I’m a developmental editor, and I’m going to reveal the most common first chapter mistake I see, and exactly how to fix it so readers can't put your book down.

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How to Choose a Great Book Title (With Genre Analysis)
Writing Craft, Publishing Tips Leslie Horn 6/19/26 Writing Craft, Publishing Tips Leslie Horn 6/19/26

How to Choose a Great Book Title (With Genre Analysis)

Struggling to title your novel? Here's a step-by-step brainstorming process plus a deep dive into what's working in fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and more.

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What Is Speculative Fiction? A Genre Guide for Writers
Writing Craft, Genre Guide Leslie Horn 6/19/26 Writing Craft, Genre Guide Leslie Horn 6/19/26

What Is Speculative Fiction? A Genre Guide for Writers

Here's your complete guide to the speculative fiction genre, its subgenres, and why it matters for your book.

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