Action! Today, we are taking a more cinematic approach to novel outlining as this method has roots in screenwriting. It focuses on writing the novel out in the progression of scenes that make up the plot. Why 60 scenes you may ask? That’s because 60 is generally the number of scenes in a screenplay. AndContinueContinue reading “The 60-Scene Method to Plotting A Novel”
Tag Archives: writing advice
Writing About Other Cultures – How To Do it Right
As writers, we find inspiration all around us. However, the adage “write what you know” can feel pretty limiting. I once heard the alternative said for an approach to fiction writing––“write what you want to know.” This variation allows us to expand our knowledge base and write outside of our own lifestyle. It champions writersContinueContinue reading “Writing About Other Cultures – How To Do it Right”
Stay Motivated with Productivity Bingo
It’s national bingo day! While I enjoy this game (especially when played for gift baskets), I’ve recently started using the setup of bingo to develop healthy habits and achieve daily progress toward my writing goals, and beyond! I refer to this system as “Productivity Bingo”. Which is basically me gamifying my to-do list while buildingContinueContinue reading “Stay Motivated with Productivity Bingo”
Enhance Your Novel with the Iceberg Method – A Deep Dive into Writing Craft
This is one iceberg that won’t have you jumping ship! Please forgive me for my terrible puns, but I have a point here! Novel writing is often likened to an iceberg—what the readers see on the surface is only a fraction of the story’s depth and complexity. The iceberg method, popularized by Ernest Hemingway, emphasizesContinueContinue reading “Enhance Your Novel with the Iceberg Method – A Deep Dive into Writing Craft”
Tips For Writing a Mystery Novel
The book that I’ve been querying is many things, but at its base, it’s a whodunnit-style mystery. Sure, I also throw in a YA coming-of-age narrative, LGBTQ+ Romance, and some paranormal intrigue… but I spent a lot of time researching and studying the mechanics of the mystery genre while crafting my novel. Like many areasContinueContinue reading “Tips For Writing a Mystery Novel”
When A Plotter Goes Pantsing
How Your Writing Style Can Impact Your Writing No, I did not spend November running amuck around my peers pulling down their pants. However, I did spend this past NaNoWriMo doing something that might have been just as uncomfortable. I wrote a story by discovery writing. I have always self-declared my writing style as aContinueContinue reading “When A Plotter Goes Pantsing”
Add Tension and Build Suspense with Try/Fail Cycles
In the first imaginings of our stories, we often have an end goal in mind. Character X is put into situation Y and comes out changed (whether that’s for better or for worse depends on whether it’s a positive or negative character arc). Our story would be rather short if the goal you set forContinueContinue reading “Add Tension and Build Suspense with Try/Fail Cycles”
10 Reasons Why Writing a Novel is Like Running a Marathon
Happy November! This means we are just kicking off National Novel Writing Month. If somehow you’re unfamiliar despite my preptober posts last month, it is when insane people, myself included, participate in this annual event to write a novel (50,0000 words) in one month. It’s truly a test of endurance and motivation. In tandem withContinueContinue reading “10 Reasons Why Writing a Novel is Like Running a Marathon”
Preptober Week Four: Organization and Time Management – With Guest Author Erin Thomson
Ready or not, Prep-tober is wrapping up and NaNoWriMo is upon us. We have created our plot outlines, made character info sheets, and brainstormed worlds and extra details. What’s left is organizing yourself to ensure NaNo success! This week, we have guest Author Erin Thompson providing useful insights, including ways to psych yourself up andContinueContinue reading “Preptober Week Four: Organization and Time Management – With Guest Author Erin Thomson”
Publishing in the Summer: with Guest Author Zara Hoffman
Summer might be winding down, but some of you might be wondering if this is a good time of year to publish their work in progress. The answer might vary depending on if you’re an indie versus a trad author. I’m excited to share this amazing guest post all about publishing during the summer, byContinueContinue reading “Publishing in the Summer: with Guest Author Zara Hoffman”
Newbie to Novelist 