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Trellis Method
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Beyond Story Structure to Focus on Now
This post will get to the focus on now after a brief walk down memory lane (the place where story structure lives in the links below).
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Use a Writer’s Toolbox to Develop Characters
Many authors discovered it’s much easier to keep everything they need in a writer’s toolbox. How about you?
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How You Can Beat AI at Writing
The value you give readers can beat AI at writing by providing audiences with authentic human experiences and emotions.
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Hate Story Structure? Try Fractal Storytelling!
I used to hate story structure, but today, I’ll share what changed my mind and help you reframe your thinking with fractal storytelling.
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Book Review: Tale of the Season’s Weaver
When I read D. Wallace Peach’s latest novel, Tale of the Season’s Weaver, I explored a fantasy world like no other. Her storytelling flair had me thinking she does for fantasy novels what Raymond Chandler did for hard-boiled detective classics.
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Do Human Authors Matter More than AI?
Are you like thousands of writers wondering whether human authors matter more than AI? If yes, here’s what you can do to overcome the fear.
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4 Ways to Cure Writer’s Block
Suffering from writer’s block? If you’ve ever wondered how to get your writing mojo back, here’s 4 surefire ways to cure writer’s block.
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Write for Readers Using Story Structure
It’s easier to write for readers when you use story structure as your guide. Boiled down, the story structure empowers you to write a book regardless of your writing preferences. Story structure makes sure you include all the pieces to the narrative’s puzzle that readers expect.
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All Writers Need Motivation
All writers need motivation to start and finish the book hidden within them. Let’s discover what serves as your motivation…
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It’s Vacation Time!
While I’m taking a break, here are links to popular posts sorted by categories.
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What Is Commercial Fiction?
I got an interesting email that made me realize not everyone who visits Tame Your Book has the same view of commercial fiction, so here are a few thoughts on that topic.
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Timeless Writing Advice from a Masterwork
A few years ago, I used the Trellis Method to analyze L. Frank Baum’s masterwork, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
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Choose Genres
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Use Genres to Fulfill Readers’ Expectations
Genres help writers understand and fulfill the expectations of audiences by adopting and adapting the key scenes and conventions pre-established by TV shows, films, and books.
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Genres Are the Portals to Your Story World
Genres are the portals to your story world, and are worth your time and effort to figure out what you’ll emphasize in your novels.
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The Trellis Method: Look for Brown M&M’s in Your Chosen Genres
John Truby stated in The Anatomy of Genres*, “Once we understand that all of human life is a form of story, the next step becomes clear: genres are the portals to this world.” Using The Trellis Method, we will explore how to include the right content with your chosen genres based on the M&M’s principle.
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Should You Read John Truby’s The Anatomy of Genres?
To get a grasp on genres, consider reading John Truby’s latest book The Anatomy of Genres: How Story Forms Explain the Way the World Works.
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Understanding Your Favorite Genre Gives You the Advantage Bestselling Authors Know Well
What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre? I’ll share how knowing those key details helps you engage readers.
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Genre: The Secret to Writing Page-turning Fiction
Genre is the secret sauce to writing better stories. Choose carefully because that sauce is how you can satisfy readers’ expectations.
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How to Find Book Ideas
Sometimes your muse delivers gift-wrapped book ideas, but other times you must search. Here are 11 ways to find the perfect book idea.
Keep reading…Validate Premise
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Should You Turn Your Idea into a Novel?
You’ve scanned the internet for help to make your decision, but seriously, how do you choose whether to turn your idea into a novel?
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How to Write a Premise for a Book
The advice on how to write a premise varies, but the consensus emphasizes it’s a crucial step toward turning your idea into a novel.
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Stuck Trying to Turn a Premise of a Story into a Plot? Do This Instead!
Plot is what happens within the narrative. If you’re stuck trying to turn a premise of a story into a plot, do this instead.
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11 Tips on How to Create Your Story Premise BEFORE You Write
Given the different definitions, how do you write a premise? I’ve compiled 11 tips on how to create your story premise BEFORE you write.
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Busy Writers: Validate Your Story Premise to Confirm a Winning Strategy
An essential step in creating commercial fiction is to validate your story premise. It’s easier than you may think, and I’ll show you how.
Keep reading…Develop Characters
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Show Your Character’s Change
Memorable stories show the hero’s transformation. Use the Enneagram to strike the right balance of before and after your character’s change.
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Character Development Questions for Writers
Character development questions help writers explore the traits and behaviors of people unlike ourselves, drawing readers into your stories.
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Dynamic Characters Examples and Guide
You can find examples of dynamic characters in masterworks for every genre, and this post outlines how writers put that knowledge to work.
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Editing Your Novel’s Characters
Use story structure and technology to help you editing characters scene-by-scene, including a profile to gather critical details.
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What Are Story Character Types?
Based on the Enneagram of Personality, you can use the nine story character types to create an array of interesting and relatable people.
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Develop Character Voices and Descriptions Using Enneagram Personality Types (Part 2)
You can develop character voices and descriptions using Enneagram Personality types. I’ll show you a simple and effective method.
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Get the Free Character Template for Scrivener
n this article, you can get the free character template for Scrivener. Develop realistic profiles of emotions and behaviors.
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Villain Characters Are Heroes in Their Stories
Years ago, I read where villains see themselves as heroes in their own stories. I never appreciated the importance of this concept until I began writing from multiple points of view.
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Organize Your Character Profiles
Character descriptions can take on lives of their own. Some writers map out every little detail while others list only the highlights. Regardless of your preference, with a series, you’ll want to organize your character profiles.
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Develop Characters Using Enneagram Personality Types (Part 1)
If you assemble a cast of characters with a wide range of behavioral traits, imagine the unique voices, interesting dialogue, dynamic scenes, and potential conflicts you could write. Develop characters using the Enneagram Personality types to create realistic emotions, choices, and behaviors.
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The Ultimate Free Character Template and Arc
Get the free character template to create intriguing cast members who keep readers engaged from the first to last page.
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Dare to Create Unique Character Descriptions and Distinct Voices
Characters must be different so readers don’t get confused. Dare to create unique character descriptions and distinct voices.
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A Character Template to Help Busy Writers
Developing multi-dimensioned fictional people fascinates me. But updating the character template for my favorite writing app proved harder than I expected.
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Get the 1,100 Character Traits List and Give Your Readers What They Crave Most
If you’re looking for a robust character traits list, you’ve come to the right place. Use these 1,100 traits to develop dynamic characters.
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Split-screen Character Development: Villain vs. Hero
Are you like most writers, focusing on the hero’s character development while shortchanging the villain’s profile? Do this instead!
Keep reading…Plot Events
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The Case of the Lucky Plot
With a hat tip to a master of plots, Erle Stanley Gardner, lets see what we can learn by following this Perry-Mason-ish story about helping Fiona plot her novel.
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Who Wins the War of Plotters Vs. Pantsers?
Every month or two, I see another article touting the winner of the tug-o-war between plotters and pantsers.
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Plot of a Story Example
A masterwork gives us a plot of a story example, serving as a pattern for your novel. Use the Trellis Method’s workbooks to analyze plots.
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Fiction Writers: Map Your Plot Structure and Weave Together Subplot Threads Like a Pro
Plot structure includes subplots, and I’ll show how you can use those patterns to make your writing life more interesting and fun.
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Writers: Design a Killer Plot Based on the Recipes and Ingredients of Bestsellers
You can design a killer plot based on the recipes and ingredients used by bestselling authors. It’s as simple as making an omelet!
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Create and Structure Your Plot
The main plot is a thread of crucial events that comprise the narrative. Create and structure your plot with the Trellis Method.
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Personify Your Plot’s Story Settings
A setting can magnify the emotional tone and mood of your story. Bring locations to life. Personify your story settings.
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7 Tips for Structuring Plot and Subplots
Top movies and novels include a main plot and subplots. I’ll break down the process and share 7 tips for structuring plot and subplots.
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Amplify Your Main Plot: How to Create Your Plot Map (Part 3)
Once you’ve let your characters have their way, organize the storyline with a plot map. Here’s how you can do it using a simple spreadsheet.
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Amplify Your Main Plot: Build a Story Spine for Each Story Plot to Enhance the Overall Narrative (Part 2)
Writers often fantasize about creating blockbuster films, so let’s look at how a scriptwriter figured out the best way to story plot.
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Amplify Your Main Plot: Turn Random Story Ideas into Subplots (Part 1)
Use the Trellis Method to increase the value of random ideas, turning story notes into subplots that amplify your main plot.
Keep reading…Identify Themes
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Where to Find Story Themes Ideas
Most wonder what is this story about, but this question generates a more robust answer: where can you find story themes ideas?
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Tips to Link Story and Themes
At the end of a book, readers frequently comment on their takeaway message, inferring story and themes are linked. Get these tips!
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How to Take Control of Your Story Themes
Whenever you try to take control of your story theme, does it feel as elusive as the Holy Grail? Learn how to develop your story’s themes.
Keep reading…Outline Beats
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Story Beats Will Solve Your Problem
Story beats will solve your problem of arranging hundreds of details by using this time-tested process.
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Free Story Beats Workbook Package
While updating a book draft, I kept referring to its Story Spine, Body, and Beats worksheets. I find these writing tools so useful, and that gave me the idea to give a free Story Beats Workbook Package to the first 50 people who sign up using the link on this page.
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Pick Up Where Your Writing Flow Left Off
After other priorities, do you struggle to pick up and write where you left off? Restore your writing flow with the Story Spine.
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The 3 Act Story Structure Equals 4
The 3 act story structure never made sense to me until I understood how to divide it into 4 parts, and Story Beats what made the big difference!
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The Story Spine: A Must Have Tool for Every Writer
Envision your book from beginning to end using the Story Spine, a fun and quick way to develop stories.
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If I Was Creating a Story Arc Today
I had the perfect book idea but lacked the story’s structure. My solution arrived when genre and beats had a baby named Story Arc.
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Editing Your Novel’s Thread of Plot Events
Use techniques and technology to help you self-edit your novel’s thread of plot events. It’s easier than you may think!
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How to Use Global Story Beats with Scrivener
In this post, I’ll show how you can use global Story Beats with Scrivener.
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Story Beats: Discover an Easy Way to Write Your Novel’s Essential Scenes
Learn how you can use Story Beats to write your novel’s essential scenes to pump the narrative blood throughout your novel.
Keep reading…The Trellis Method: Master Story Structure
Starting with this post, I’ll explain how The Trellis Method answered my what-if question and invite you to test whether the process can benefit your writing, too.
Keep reading…The Trellis Method: Discover What Story Beats Can Do for Your Writing
Use Story Beats to enhance storytelling from the first to last page.
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Write a Book Template: Exploring How to Structure a Book
There are many approaches, but exploring how to use the write a book template improves the quality and speed of completing your first draft.
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A Story Beats HOOK Example
The story HOOK conveys what the story is about, establishes the actions required for upcoming events, and entertains readers.
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How to Outline the Story Body of Your Novel
A fast and fun way to outline a novel that won’t make your palms sweat. I’ll show you how to outline the story body of your novel.
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Plot a Story Using the Story Body Structure
Readers sense when something is missing from the narrative. To satisfy readers’ expectations, plot a story using the Story Body.
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Build a Story Spine
Build a Story Spine that supports a well-constructed narrative. It’s a multifaceted writer’s tool enabling you to identify your core message.
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Story Structure: Erle Stanley Gardner’s Fiction Factory
Best known for his Perry Mason novels, television series, and movies, Erle Stanley Gardner ran his fiction factory from the 1920s until 1968.
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Story Structure: Exploring the Lester Dent Story Formula
In the 1930s, the Lester Dent story formula enabled the author to quickly produce and sell books. Today, The Trellis Method does even more.
Keep reading…Write Scenes
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Use Deep Point of View to Engage Readers
Use a deep point of view to add depth to scenes and connect with readers’ emotions.
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8-Beat Scene and Sequel Sequence
An internet search for “scene and sequel” will net you many definitions. Today’s post explains the 8-beats scene and sequel sequence.
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Editing Scenes for Deep Point of View
In this multi-post series, you’ll discover techniques and technology to help you self-edit your novel. Use Scrivener’s Custom Metadata to apply Deep POV techniques.
Keep reading…The Trellis Method: Scene & Sequel Sequence
What if each scene was a well-paced short story, one with just the right amount of emotional intensity and it ended with a page-turning connection to the next? If that’s of interest to you, Dwight V. Swain gets the bulk of the credit for documenting what has become know as the scene and sequel sequence.
Keep reading…The Trellis Method: Use the Content Lens and Scene Lens to Inspect for What Readers Expect
Work hard but smart. The Trellis Method’s Content Lens and Scene Lens prompts authors to inspect for what readers expect.
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Add Stakes to the Story Spine
You can add stakes to the Story Spine to simplify the rapid crafting of one or more novels in a series and engage your readers.
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Excel at Tracking Crucial Scene Content
Learn how you can excel at tracking crucial scene content to win the hearts of readers, including essential beats and contributions.
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Scene Tracking Tips Every Writer Should Know About
Of all the techniques studied over the years, scene tracking is the surefire way to turn wannabe-scenes into winners.
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Discover Scene Tracking Contributions to Story
Discover scene tracking contributions to story, helping you stay on track to deliver the promise of your premise.
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Effective Tips for Writing Scenes that Hook Audiences and Keep Them Turning Pages
Adopt proven practices that satisfy readers’ expectations. Tips for writing scenes that hook audiences and keep readers turning pages.
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Break Out of the Mold: Creating Fresh Similes and Metaphors for Your Scenes
These tips on similes and metaphors used within scenes offer excellent ways to enhance your writing with words that engage readers.
Keep reading…Edit Drafts
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Write Like the Wind, but Edit Like a Surgeon
Both pantsers and plotters should consider this writing principle: write like the wind, but edit like a surgeon.
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Use a Story Structure Chart to Spot Problems
I created a story structure chart using scene intensity to spot potential problems. It’s easy, so give it a try!
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Enhance Your Story Structure with Details
Similar to the way top artists create their remarkable paintings, you can add layers of details to enhance your story structure.
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All About Scene Action Beats
Examples of scene action beats, how to recognize when overused, and what to put in their place to elevate our storytelling style.
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Finalize Content
Self-publish Book
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Optimize Amazon Keywords and Sell More
When you self-publish your book through KDP, you’ll get a prompt for the Amazon Keywords, and this post will show you how to do it!
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Busy Writers: Self-publish Your Book and Make Your Writing Dreams Come True
You may think it’s impossible to self-publish books, but with this Trellis Method workbook, it’s easier than you may think!
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Did the Change in Amazon Categories Hide Your Book from Readers?
Because of the Amazon category change, 27% of selectable categories are not discoverable in the Amazon store, hiding your book from buyers.
Keep reading…Promote Book
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75 Book Promotion Ideas to Unlock Sales
When you see the many book promotion options, you may at first feel overwhelmed. Check out these ideas to unlock sales.
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Promote Your Book with a Writer’s Platform
When you build and maintain a writer’s platform, it’s easy to give updates to readers and unlike social media, you own the real estate!
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Examples of a Writer’s Newsletter
In this post, I’ll share a few writer newsletter examples, and you can download the sample PDF files.
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A Survey of Newsletters that Promote a Book
Five years ago, I began collecting author newsletters to see how they were used to promote a book, and my conclusion may surprise you.
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Should You Update or Republish and Book Launch Your Previously Published Novel?
Houston, we’ve got a problem: should I update or republish and book launch my book? Consider your options before you decide.
Keep reading…Writing Principles
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Solving the Writers’ 3D Puzzle
After years of studying the best of what the top writers have already figured out, I’ve reached a conclusion about what it takes to solve the writers’ 3D puzzle.
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Cautionary Tales about AI
I’ll keep this brief and offer a few cautionary tales about AI.
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Writing Is Thinking
Writing is thinking, helping writers improve by stepping outside their comfort zones.
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You Only Need Two Writing Rules
Forget all that complicated advice and memorize these two writing rules, focusing on what lasts instead of things that fade away.
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Writing Eight Days a Week
Like the Beatles song, how would you like to get an extra writing day each week, the time you need to take care of your life and your story?
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Writing Encouragement: Fueling Your Creative Journey
I hadn’t planned to post today, and a message of writing encouragement wasn’t on my to-do list. Does this message resonate with you, too?
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Develop Your Writing Routine Today
Develop a consistent writing routine. It’s your competitive advantage, a source of joy, and powers your personal fiction factory.
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Writing Principle: Overcome the Tyranny of the OR to Achieve Your Writing Goals
Your dreaded adversary, the “Tyranny of the OR,” threatens to steal your joy. I’ll share a writing principle you can use overcome your enemy.
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Busy Writers: Use Bestselling Authors’ Writing Principles to Please Readers
While researching The Trellis Method, I came across these notable examples of timeless writing principles of craft and patterns.
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Writers Respond to Survey with a Chasm of AI Mistrust
In Draft2Digital’s ‘2024 AI Training Survey Results, CEO Kris Austin shared how writers responded with a chasm of AI mistrust.
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Exploring Ways to Improve Writing Skills
If you’ve ever searched for how to improve writing skills, you’re not alone. Even J.R.R. Tolkien sought ways to take his storytelling skills to higher levels.
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Should Novelists Trust AI?
Recent articles raised the question, “Should novelists trust AI?” Let’s explores some risks of taking AI shortcuts.
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Discover Your Writing Motivation
Through the actions and interviews of bestselling authors, you can gain a sense of how to embrace your writing motivation.
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Writing Principles: How to Write a Logline for Your Novel
A premise guides a writer strategically, and a logline interests an audience emotionally. Learn how to write a logline for your novel.
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Structure Unstructurables: The Secret to Harnessing Writers’ Passions and Dreams
Gain a glimpse of how top writers structure unstructurables, embedding their passions and dreams into their writing projects.
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Think Inspiration Produces Great Stories? Think Again!
I’m all for writers encouraged by inspiration, but great stories rely on structure to exceed readers’ expectations, and here’s how to do it.
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Your Personal Writing Process
Why do so many writers complain about the writing process? Here’s the answer, empowering you to write a book readers will love.
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Committed to Think and Write
Are you committed to think and write? Like a pilot, you gauge the length of your writing runway and speed to ensure you take off safely.
Keep reading…Writing Principles: The Top 6 Writing Principles Writers Can Use to Capture the Hearts of Readers
Accomplished author and freelance proofreader and editor Kelsey Bryant shares how to capture the hearts of readers.
Keep reading…Writing Tools
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Why Do Top Writers Use Writing Checklists?
K. M. Allan’s latest book, Writing And Editing Checklists, answers why top writers use writing checklists—hundreds of actionable improvement tips and reminders.
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Book Writing Tools to Strengthen Your Story
Discover powerful book writing tools to strengthen your story. Use apps like SimpleMind to visualize plot events and character relationships.
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How to Create Evidence Boards with Canva Pro
How do you track all the moving parts of a novel? Discover how to create evidence boards using Canva Pro, and make posters for screen or wall.
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Increase Your Momentum: Use Draft2Digital to Publish Faster
Writing, publishing, and promoting spin the author’s flywheel, building momentum. Checkout self-publishing at Draft2Digital.
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Editing Your Novel with Scrivener Metadata
Scrivener’s Metadata helps while editing your novel, enhancing your ability to write a book readers will love!
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Editing with ProWritingAid
Discover techniques and technology that will help you edit your novel by using ProWritingAid, my go-to tool for posts and books.
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Scrivener Software Overview
This Scrivener software overview shows how you can simplify writing and publishing. MS Word and Apple Pages can’t match this app’s benefits.
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How to Foreshadow with Scrivener
Learn how to foreshadow with Scrivener, keeping readers turning pages until they to close the switch of that question open in their minds.
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What Is Publisher Rocket?
Publisher Rocket helps you get your book in front of more Amazon shoppers so you can market less and write more. Analyze the bestsellers.
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How to Create a Book Trailer with Canva Pro
Learn how to create a book trailer with Canva and give potential readers a glimpse of your novel by maximizing their interest.
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Writing Tools and Self-publishing Apps
I’ll show how to find the writing and self-publishing apps most writers need to satisfy readers’ expectations, like the top authors.
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Writers Increase Your Sales: Learn from an Amazon Expert the Secret to Mastering Keywords and Categories
An overview of what I learned from Dave Chesson’s phenomenal course: Mastering Keywords and Categories, tips I can use to increase sales!
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Is Scrivener Better than Word?
One question pops up repeatedly: Is Scrivener better than Word? As a long-term user of both apps, my answer might surprise you.
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ProWritingAid Overview
In this ProWritingAid overview, I’ll share how the software can help you decrease reader frustrations, reduce critical reviews, and improve story flow. If you write using an Apple desktop or laptop, I’ll show why I switched to ProWritingAid by answering a few questions.
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