The climax is what our stories are all about. We craft our beginnings and middles just so we can reach this final whammy at the end. The bad guy is defeated. The guy gets the girl. Secrets are revealed. Resolutions are made. The conflict is resolved. The story ends. In order to milk our climaxes […]
August 26, 2013 by 2 Comments Structuring Your NovelHow to Structure the Beginning and Ending of Your Book
One of the most important decisions you make as a writer is how to structure the beginning and ending of your book. Perhaps the one thing that most distinguishes a book from real life is the fact that a book has a beginning and an ending. In real life, stories don’t end. Even death doesn’t […]
August 23, 2013 by 1 Comment Structuring Your NovelHow to Create Layers of Conflict That Are Thematically Pertinent
Today, I’m guest posting on Storyfix, with a post on “How to Create Layers of Thematically Pertinent Conflict.” Here’s an excerpt: On the surface, conflict is a ridiculously easy concept. Have character punch each other. Or yell at each other. Or even just give each other the silent treatment. Easy, right? To some extent, that’s true. […]
August 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment Structuring Your NovelHow Story Structure Creates Foreshadowing
How do you explain the concept of foreshadowing? So, it’s like this thing that happens before this other thing happens to let readers know that the other thing is going to happen. Tough, isn’t it? For all that it can be a bit difficult to succinctly explain, foreshadowing is a simple concept. You’re providing readers […]
August 21, 2013 by 2 Comments Structuring Your NovelHow to Prevent Saggy Middle Syndrome Using Story Structure
Today, I’m guest posting on Writers Helping Writers with the post “How to Prevent Saggy Middle Syndrome Using Story Structure.” Here’s an excerpt: Is there a cure for saggy middle syndrome? There sure is, and in a word (or two words, actually), that cure is story structure. Once you understand how to structure your story as a whole, […]
August 20, 2013 by 2 Comments Structuring Your NovelAction and Reaction in Plot: The Building Blocks of Story Structure
Today, I’m guest posting on Jody Hedlund’s blog, with the post “Action and Reaction in Plot: The Building Blocks of Story Structure.” Here’s an excerpt: Sometimes writers get a little freaked out by the idea of story structure. Too complicated, too confining, too vague. This is ironic, since structure, when properly understood, actually simplifies the […]
August 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment Characters10 Ways Plot Structure Influences Character Arc
Today, I’m guest posting over on Elizabeth Spann Craig’s blog, with the post “10 Ways Plot Structure Influences Character Arc.” Here’s an excerpt: I’m sometimes asked which is more important: plot or character. This is a misleading question, at its foundation. Not only are plot and character equally important, they’re also interdependent upon one another. […]
August 17, 2013 by 5 Comments Structuring Your NovelStructuring Your Novel Blog Tour Dates
Welcome to the brand new Helping Writers Become Authors site! (The new K.M. Weiland site, dedicated exclusively to my fiction, went up last week.) I am absotively, posolutely, 110% thrilled with how the site turned out. The incredible team at Varick Design get all kinds of props and thanks from me for all the hard work and […]
August 2, 2013 by 19 Comments Structuring Your NovelSneak Peek at Structuring Your Novel’s Table of Contents
We’re only a month away from the release of what I feel is the most helpful information I’ve ever written about writing how-to. Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story comes out September 1st, 2013 (stay tuned for info about another big drawing—this time worth $3,500). In the meantime, here’s a peek […]
July 26, 2013 by 19 Comments Structuring Your NovelHow Story Structure Changed My Life
One thing I always stress to writers is the importance of writing subjects you’re passionate about. Most of the time this advice is aimed at novelists, but it’s every bit as true when it comes to non-fiction. As we approach the September 1st release date for my non-fiction book Structuring Your Novel, I’d like to share […]
