Tips to help busy people master story structure and…
Write a Book Readers Will Love!
Don’t let distractions hold you back. Start now and master story structure, characters, plots, and themes.
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I love helping busy people master story structure and write a book readers will love.
Here’s how it works…
1. Prepare to Write a Book
Use this time-proven step to choose your genre. Turn an idea into a premise. Develop interesting characters. Design an intriguing plot. Form external, internal, and philosophical themes. Adopt a storytelling structure.
➨1.1 Genres
Your chosen genres give you an understanding of what your target readers expect.
➨1.2 Premise
In a sentence or two, the premise gives a story’s big picture and writer’s development strategy.
- 11 Tips on How to Create Your Story Premise BEFORE You Write
- How to Find Book Ideas
- How to Write a Premise for a Book
➨1.3 Characters
The preparation step includes selecting the best characters to tell the story and creating backstories that shape their thoughts, choices, words, and actions.
- Dynamic Character Development (includes Character Template)
- Develop Characters Using Enneagram Personality Types (Part 1)
- Develop Character Voices and Descriptions Using Enneagram Personality Types (Part 2)
- Free Character Template for Scrivener
- The Ultimate Free Character Template and Arc
- Dare to Create Unique Character Descriptions and Unique Voices
➨1.4 Plot
The plot highlights key events (i.e., turning points) within you chosen genre that cause conflicts and steer the story toward the climax.
- Plot Design
- 7 Tips for Structuring Your Plot and Subplots
- Personify Your Story Settings
- Create and Structure Your Plot with 7-Step Storytelling Tools
➨1.5 Themes
The external, internal, and philosophical themes convey what your story is about.
2. Build Your Story’s Spine
Based on your premise, the Story Spine lays a firm foundation, naming the hero, defining the problem, giving the narrative’s beginning, middle, and ending, and hinting at external, internal, and philosophical goals and themes.
- Build a Story Spine
- Add Stakes to the Story Spine
- Stuck Trying to Turn a Premise into a Plot? Try This Instead.
3. Flesh Out Your Story’s Body
Use the Story Spine as the base to flesh out the Story Body, the short version of the entire narrative and structure for organizing the contents of the Story Beats.
- How to Outline the Story Body
- Plot a Story Using the Story Body Structure
- How to Create a Book Trailer with Canva Pro
4. Outline Your Story’s Beats
Master a proven structure divided into eighteen Story Beats, guiding you to outline the scenes and sequences.
- How to Use Global Story Beats with Scrivener
- Story Beats: Discover an Easy Way to Write Your Novel’s Essential Scenes
- Do You Want to Personalize Story Structure? Now You Can!
5. Write the Scenes
Draft your story scenes, grouping the action and people into a logical order and advancing the story.
- Effective Tips for Writing Scenes that Hook Audiences and Keep Them Turning Pages
- A Story HOOK Example
- Story Structure (Scenes and Scene Sequences)
- 8-Beat Scene and Sequel Sequence
F.A.Q.
Q: Why can’t I just write a book instead of following a plan?
I felt the same way, and didn’t let my lack of knowledge stop me from self-publishing four books.
When all I heard were crickets instead of ringing cash registers, I realized there had to be a better way. I read books, visited websites, took courses, and attended webinars, devoting the time and money to learning our craft.
Today, I break down my notes into practical tips and to share those principles with you.
Q: Why approach writing a book as a project?
For many years, I led teams merging mega-sized corporations, so I learned to value a project plan.
When you write a book of 50,000 to 100,000 words, you’ve got hundreds of moving parts and dozens of issues to resolve. A project plan divided into steps helps you avoid the frustration of writing a novel no one wants to read.
When you’re busy, and have to hit the pause button on writing, a project plan allows you to pick right back up where you left off.
Q: Where did you discover these writing methods?
In the corporate world, learning from books enabled me to move up in the ranks from a humble beginning to a senior position.
I’ve used that same process to discover techniques, record notes, and apply the advice taught by respected writing teachers.
Q: How much do you charge?
Nada for the blog posts because I dislike subscriptions.
Unless you purchase one of my workbooks, templates, or take a paid writing course, the information is free. To support the cost of maintaining this site, I have affiliate links for apps and books, and when you buy, you’ll not pay one penny more even though I might earn a small commission.
By the way, I only recommend apps, books, and courses I’ve purchased and tested.
Q: What do you provide subscribers?
Explore the links above and check out the free Character Template. Also, check out the Friday Feature Gallery, chocked full of infographic and writing tips you can download right now.
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
—Nelson Henderson
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