Today, I’m guest posting on LiveHacked, with a post titled “Learn How to Structure Your Novel—in Five Minutes!” Here’s an excerpt: Does that title sound too good to be true? Well, it isn’t. No, seriously, if you read at the same pace as me (and, yes, I timed myself), then by the time you’ve finished reading […]
September 16, 2013 by 2 Comments Structuring Your NovelLearn How to Structure Your Novel–in Five Minutes!
September 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment Structuring Your NovelDoes a Book Need Structure to Be Published?
Today, I’m guest posting on The Write Practice, with a post titled “Does a Book Need Structure to Be Published?” Here’s an excerpt: I used to hate the whole idea that something as inherently artistic and, well, instinctive as writing fiction could (or, worse, should) be forced to adhere to structure. The notion is so non-intuitive as to […]
September 12, 2013 by 1 Comment Structuring Your NovelHow to Learn Story Structure Without Even Trying
Today, I’m guest posting on Moody Writing, with a post about “How to Learn Story Structure Without Even Trying.” Here’s an excerpt: What to know how to learn story structure without even trying? Here’s a secret about story structure that you may not have realized: You already know it. Many authors are intimidated by the mere […]
September 11, 2013 by 3 Comments Structuring Your NovelDon’t Like Outlining? Here’s How You Can Still Ace Story Structure
Today, I’m guest posting on The Other Side of the Story, with a post titled “Don’t Like Outlining? How to Structure if You’re a Pantser” Here’s an excerpt: Writers often equate the idea of structuring with that of outlining or plotting. As such, it doesn’t offer much surface appeal to discovery writers or “pantsers” (i.e., those who prefer to write “by […]
September 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment Structuring Your Novel5 Misconceptions About Your Story’s Normal World
Today, I’m guest posting on Kristen Lamb’s blog, with a post on “5 Misconceptions About Your Story’s Normal World.” Here’s an excerpt: Writers sometime balk at the idea of beginning with the story’s Normal World. Isn’t that kind of starting before the story? Won’t readers be bored if they have to wade through all that […]
September 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment Structuring Your NovelDid the Classic Authors Use Story Structure?
Today, I’m guest posting on Live, Write Thrive, with a post titled “Did the Classic Authors Use Story Structure?” Here’s an excerpt: Here’s an interesting question for you: When was story structure invented? I think many of us tend to believe structure is a recent development. After all, the likes Jane Austen and Charles Dickens could […]
September 5, 2013 by 4 Comments Structuring Your NovelLast Chance to Enter the Grand Prize Drawing!
Thank you all for a great launch week for Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys to Writing an Outstanding Story. The book hit #1 in the Writing Skills category in Amazon’s Kindle Store on Sunday and has remained there all week. Just a reminder: today is the last day to enter the drawing for the three-tiered […]
August 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment Beginning Your Book4 Big Pitfalls in Story Openings
Today, I’m guest posting on Jane Friedman’s blog, with a post on “4 Big Pitfalls in Story Openings.” Here’s an excerpt: Beginnings are difficult when you consider their weight in the overall story. They must accomplish all of the following: Plant an irresistible hook. Give readers a reason to care about what happens to the characters. […]
August 29, 2013 by 2 Comments Structuring Your NovelOutlining: The Secret Tool for Creating Story Structure
Today, I’m guest posting on Write to Done, with a post on “Outlining: The Secret Tool for Creating Story Structure.” Here’s an excerpt: Creating story structure is the most important technical aspect of any story. It brings solidity and focus to a story; yet it is often overlooked and misunderstood. Novelists sometimes believe structure will sap […]
August 28, 2013 by 3 Comments Structuring Your NovelWhat Are Plot Points?
Today, I’m guest posting on Writing Forward, with a post called “What Are Plot Points?” Here’s an excerpt: Take moment to think of some of the most significant scenes in your favorite stories. More than likely, the scenes that pop to mind are those in which major events occur: Jane meets Mr. Rochester, the Titanic hits the iceberg, […]
