Outlining your novel is one thing. But then, whether you prefer to outline with minimalism, maximalism, or hindsight (aka, in revisions), a surprisingly easy stumbling block can be that of figuring out how to use your outline in the first draft. Recently, I received an email from Matt Powers, which made me realize that, out […]
June 12, 2017 by 75 Comments Outlining Your Novel5 Ways to Write a Perfect First Draft (or Nearly)
“The first draft.” Is there any phrase more likely to evoke such a poignant mix of anticipation and dread? Anticipation, of course, because we get to write—we get to tell our story! And dread, of course, because we’re about to subject ourselves to months, even years, of agony and frustration as we blindly slog toward a finish […]
June 28, 2015 by 48 Comments Writer's Help3 Ways to Make Writing Your Novel Easier
Writing is hard. If you’re a writer, you don’t need me to tell you that. In the unlikely event that you’re not a writer, then all you have to do to be convinced that writing is hard is to take a quick sampling of writer humor: it’s pretty much all self-deprecating, masochistic, laugh-so-you-don’t-cry stuff. Yeah, you know what […]
April 19, 2015 by 50 Comments Writing LifeMy Writing Process, Pt. 2 of 2: How I Use Scrivener to Write My First Drafts
What’s better than writing software that helps you outline your novels? How’s about writing software that also helps you write? That’s where the program Scrivener takes its whole game up a notch. Unlike other programs that are really only handy for one or the other, Scrivener offers amazing tools for both outlining and drafting–and does it all […]
August 18, 2013 by 27 Comments Characters6 Must-Know Tricks for Getting to Know Your Characters
Dynamic, realistic, relatable characters pull readers in, open their eyes, and steal their hearts. Many a poor plot has been forgiven thanks to its amazing characters. You probably don’t start writing until getting to know your characters a little bit. But how can you make sure these characters will also be adored by your readers? […]
June 16, 2013 by 70 Comments Writing InspirationAre You Overthinking Your First Draft?
First drafts are a writer’s agony and ecstasy. This is where your glistening ideas spill onto the page. This is where you get to play around with your ideas, see your characters grow and your themes mature. First drafts are fun. They’re your creative playground. But when you start overthinking your first draft, that’s where […]
June 24, 2012 by 73 Comments Writing LifeAre You Writing Your Novel Too Fast?
Are you writing your novel too fast? How fast should a novel be written? Is there some kind of guideline to which all authors should conform? Are faster writers better than slow writers—or vice versa? When it comes to my own writing, I admit I’m a tortoise. I can spend roughly a year outlining and […]
December 7, 2011 by 3 Comments Beginning Your BookHow Much Should You Explain in a Story’s Beginning?
One of the trickiest parts of any story is the beginning. And one of the trickiest parts of a story’s beginning is figuring out how to balance the need to keep the story moving forward with the need to explain lots of important background details to the reader. This is a balance that will be […]
August 5, 2011 by 14 Comments Writing InspirationMaintain Your Enthusiasm Until the Book Is Completed
This post is by Gene Perret. Having a book idea on a topic you’re passionate about is a glorious feeling. You begin work on such a project filled with passion and zeal. You’re eager to pass your thoughts on to your readers. However, writing a book is a daunting, time-consuming task. It’s important to maintain […]
July 31, 2011 by 46 Comments Editing Your NovelHow to Know When to Stop Writing This Book and Start a Different Story
There comes a time all writers’ lives when they will eventually have to learn how to know when to stop writing a book and start a different story instead. This is never an easy or simple decision. But consider the following riddle… Once upon a time, there were two writers. Both had been writing for […]
