About Tame Your Book
Hi, I’m Grant P. Ferguson, and welcome to Tame Your Book.
This site is all about using the Trellis Method to write a book readers will love.
No AI, just the time-tested story structure audiences expect and an abundance of writing tips.
About My Backstory
Before starting Tame Your Book in 2021, I didn’t use a personal writing system, even though I was a longtime writer.
Many decades ago, here’s the first book cover I illustrated for my fourth-grade memoir.
During a long career, I honed my writing skills, but they were too businesslike.
Despite my strong writing passions and dreams, I had to keep going back to several reference books. My fiction projects dragged out, and I got off task because of life’s many distractions.
That changed in 2017. For example:
- I published the first of three novellas. After publishing the other two, less than stellar sales pointed out the need for improvement.
- I started collecting and curating hundreds of writing tips based on the best of what top authors had already figured out, a practice that I continue to this day.
- Instead of settling for writing by the seat of my pants, I got busy designing a writing system with illustrations that I could use again and again.
I searched for how you can use your passions and dreams to exceed the expectations of picky readers.
- Like mentors, the writing tips gleaned from top writers contributed to my toolbox of storytelling techniques.
- Since 2021, I’ve showcased those insights on Tame Your Book, and subscriber feedback suggested others could benefit from a downloadable version.
- So in 2023, I offered The Trellis Method: Master Story Structure, featuring an affordable step-by-step approach to writing a full-length novel.
“Put all those writing craft books back on the shelves! The Trellis Method is the foundation for new and even seasoned authors. Grant Ferguson breaks down the key elements of a story in easy-to-understand steps with visuals. I feel that I’m more equipped to take on my next writing project after reading and following the Trellis Method.”
— Courtney
Now you know my backstory.
About My Mission
To help people use their passions and dreams to write a book readers will love using the best of what the top writers already figured out.
I believe that by empowering writers with a step-by-step writing system, they can create stories that entertain, inform, and inspire, changing the world for the better.
Think of it this way:
The tips and techniques help you harness the raw power of your writing passions and dreams.
About My Values
Tame Your Book’s values guide every decision.
Value 1: Storytelling
The Exponential Power of Stories
Stories have the exponential power to change lives. Writers use the tips and techniques to write their stories, but they control the actual content and style based on their passions and dreams.
Value 2: Individuality
Individuals Create Opportunities
A community of writers with a common goal — to write a book readers will love — creates unlimited opportunities to exceed the target audience’s expectations.
Value 3: Community
We’re in this Together
By learning from each other, we share the best of what top writers have already figured out.
Value 4: Influence
Published Books Matter
Like the ripples that spread from a pebble dropped into still waters, the influence of published books shapes the lives of young and old.
Value 5: Integrity
Don’t Compromise on Quality
Share the best of what top writers have already figured out. Standing on the shoulders of these bestselling authors, we can all see further down the road on our writing journeys.
About My Quest
Think of these values as a Writer’s Roadmap. It’s like you have a destination in mind. Several roads lead to the same place. You wonder, “Which route is best for my story?”
Because there is no single best way to write, adopt and adapt writing principles, not rules.
These values are foundational to everything I believe and do. They guide from the design of tools and techniques to blog posts. That means you’re encouraged to adopt and adapt these writing principles to fit your story and style. Just as a roadmap can help you choose the shortest route, it also guides when you choose to take a detour.
Most teach writing theory instead of practical application, which means the student spends inordinate amounts of time reading about writing instead of actually writing.
In contrast, Tame Your Book shares a writing system where writers learn while they actually write full-length novels, shortening the time to finish their books.
Use the Trellis Method to write a book readers will love.