Plot Isn’t Just a Four-Letter Word
()
About this ebook
Author Sharon Skinner has released a compelling discussion of plot, Plot Isn’t Just a Four-Letter Word, and it's continued importance in the art of writing compelling fiction, despite the argument in some circles that plot is becoming less relevant.
Sharon Skinner
Sharon Skinner holds a B.A. In English, an M.A. in Creative Writing and a Poetic License. She has worked as a landscaper, a cashier, a maid, a waitress, a communications specialist, a videographer, a technical writer, a project management consultant and a biomedical field service engineer and served aboard the USS Jason as one of the first women assigned to a US Navy ship. Her poetry and fiction have been published in myriad local, national and international publications. Sharon is an active member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and serves as the Assistant Regional Advisor for SCBWI AZ.Her recent publishing credits include In Case You Didn’t hear Me the First Time (2010), The Healer’s Legacy (2012), The Nelig Stones (2013), Mirabella and the Faded Phantom (March 2014). The highly anticipated sequel to The Healer’s Legacy, The Matriarch’s Devise, is due for release in Fall 2015.
Read more from Sharon Skinner
The Matriarch's Devise Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Healer's Legacy Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Lostuns Found Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTavara Tinker: Sounds of Time Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Tavara Tinker: LeTour de Paris Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIn Case You Didn’t Hear Me The First Time Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Plot Isn’t Just a Four-Letter Word
Related ebooks
Write Great Characters Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWriting Fiction Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Chapter One: A Fast, Fun Way to Write Fiction Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPreparing to Write Settings That Feel Like Characters Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5The Fiction Writing Maps: A Step-By-Step Guide To Characters Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCompass Points: Creating Meaningful Dialogue Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Develop (Imaginative, Insightful & Credible) Short Story Ideas Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrafting a Novel the Critics Will Praise Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Fiction Writer's Handbook Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Busy Writer's Self-Editing Toolbox: The Busy Writer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrafting crime fiction Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Busy Writer's One-Hour Plot: The Busy Writer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCreative Writing Guide: Turning You Idea into a Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAmeriguns Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsQuiet the Critical Voice (and Write Fiction) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFour Core Fiction Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStory Structure: Business for Breakfast, #16 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShoot Your Novel: The Writer's Toolbox Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Gonzo Novelist's Down and Dirty Guide to Plotting a Novel like a Well-Timed Mechanical Ambush Ebook
The Gonzo Novelist's Down and Dirty Guide to Plotting a Novel like a Well-Timed Mechanical Ambush
byDon TempletonRating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPerilous Path: A Writer's Journey Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Plot Your Novel: Outlining for Authors Made Easy: Write Better Fiction, #2 Ebook
How to Plot Your Novel: Outlining for Authors Made Easy: Write Better Fiction, #2
byShane MillarRating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Novel Plan!: Write Better Books, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCPR for Dead or Lifeless Fiction: A Writer's Guide to Deep and Multifaceted Development and Progression of Characters, Plots, and Relationships: 3D Fiction Fundamentals, #6 Ebook
CPR for Dead or Lifeless Fiction: A Writer's Guide to Deep and Multifaceted Development and Progression of Characters, Plots, and Relationships: 3D Fiction Fundamentals, #6
byKaren S. WiesnerRating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWriting Brighter: Helping Young Writers Become Great Writers: All Things Brighter Ebook
Writing Brighter: Helping Young Writers Become Great Writers: All Things Brighter
byF. E. GreeneRating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Best Revenge Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5How To Write And Sell Short Stories: A Fiction Writing Guide For Writers: Books for Writers and Authors, #5 Ebook
How To Write And Sell Short Stories: A Fiction Writing Guide For Writers: Books for Writers and Authors, #5
byConnor WhiteleyRating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSelf-Editing for Fiction Writers Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Deficient Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Write Believable Characters Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related podcast episodes
How to Add Subplots to Your Novel 0 ratings0% found this document useful#184: Narrative Designer Edwin McRae: In this episode, Harrison and Dirk speak with Edwin McRae, a narrative designer. They discuss the importance of the narrative line in game design and how it can keep game players engaged throughout a game with immersive details. --------------------- ... Podcast episode
#184: Narrative Designer Edwin McRae: In this episode, Harrison and Dirk speak with Edwin McRae, a narrative designer. They discuss the importance of the narrative line in game design and how it can keep game players engaged throughout a game with immersive details. --------------------- ...
byThe Game Design Round Table0 ratings0% found this document usefulSecrets for Beating Writer’s Block with TV Writer & Comedian Jorjeana Marie: Part One: Award-winning actress, comedian, and screenwriter, Jorjeana Marie, took a break to talk with me about fulfilling her childhood dream of writing for Disney, how writers can rewire their inner-critic, improv as a writing (and life) philosophy, and... Podcast episode
Secrets for Beating Writer’s Block with TV Writer & Comedian Jorjeana Marie: Part One: Award-winning actress, comedian, and screenwriter, Jorjeana Marie, took a break to talk with me about fulfilling her childhood dream of writing for Disney, how writers can rewire their inner-critic, improv as a writing (and life) philosophy, and...
byThe Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience0 ratings0% found this document usefulHow does the Story Grid Trinity apply to Global Internal Genres?: Shawn Coyne and Kimberly Kessler discuss the Story Grid Trinity and how this works with internal genres. Also checkout the Story Grid Masterwork Guide to Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda at storygrid.com/books and get 20% off with the coupon "podcast". Podcast episode
How does the Story Grid Trinity apply to Global Internal Genres?: Shawn Coyne and Kimberly Kessler discuss the Story Grid Trinity and how this works with internal genres. Also checkout the Story Grid Masterwork Guide to Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda at storygrid.com/books and get 20% off with the coupon "podcast".
byStory Grid Writing Podcast0 ratings0% found this document useful#117: Chatting with Robin D. Laws: Roleplaying game and novel writer Robin D. Laws joins Dirk and David to share his experience as a designer and writer in the gaming industry. Robin shares his methodology, how writing for the two media compares, and his upcoming work.------------------... Podcast episode
#117: Chatting with Robin D. Laws: Roleplaying game and novel writer Robin D. Laws joins Dirk and David to share his experience as a designer and writer in the gaming industry. Robin shares his methodology, how writing for the two media compares, and his upcoming work.------------------...
byThe Game Design Round Table0 ratings0% found this document usefulIFH 654: The Neuroscience Behind Profitable Screenwriting & Filmmaking with Paul Gulino: Today's guest is screenwriter Paul Gulino. Paul is the author of https://amzn.to/3wqlhII.Paul believes in Hitchcock's adage that "films are made on paper." Although students may obsess about a film's look, all of the visual elements, he says, function... Podcast episode
IFH 654: The Neuroscience Behind Profitable Screenwriting & Filmmaking with Paul Gulino: Today's guest is screenwriter Paul Gulino. Paul is the author of https://amzn.to/3wqlhII.Paul believes in Hitchcock's adage that "films are made on paper." Although students may obsess about a film's look, all of the visual elements, he says, function...
byIndie Film Hustle® - A Filmmaking Podcast0 ratings0% found this document useful113. 6-Figure Self-Publishing: Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn: Joanna Penn (@thecreativepenn) is one of the leaders in helping self-published, or I should say "indie" authors, find their way. She has been self-publishing since 2009. She's written 27 books under 3 different pen names, and she earns a... Podcast episode
113. 6-Figure Self-Publishing: Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn: Joanna Penn (@thecreativepenn) is one of the leaders in helping self-published, or I should say "indie" authors, find their way. She has been self-publishing since 2009. She's written 27 books under 3 different pen names, and she earns a...
byLove Your Work0 ratings0% found this document useful203- Instagram for Authors: I've talked recently on , but wanted to highlight a specific platform that I've been using more and seeing results from and discuss Instagram for authors. I think that most social media platforms have potential to work for you if you understand how... Podcast episode
203- Instagram for Authors: I've talked recently on , but wanted to highlight a specific platform that I've been using more and seeing results from and discuss Instagram for authors. I think that most social media platforms have potential to work for you if you understand how...
byCreate If Writing0 ratings0% found this document usefulEp. 587: The Role of the Antagonist in Story Structure, Pt. 2 of 2: Examines the role of the antagonist in the second half of a story's structure--the Second Pinch Point through the Resolution. Podcast episode
Ep. 587: The Role of the Antagonist in Story Structure, Pt. 2 of 2: Examines the role of the antagonist in the second half of a story's structure--the Second Pinch Point through the Resolution.
byHelping Writers Become Authors0 ratings0% found this document usefulHow Demian Farnworth (Copyblogger s Chief Content Writer) Writes: Welcome to The Writer Files, a tour of the habits, habitats, and brains of renowned writers — from online content creators, to fictionists, journalists, entrepreneurs, and beyond. Great writing is more vital and in demand than it’s ever been. But... Podcast episode
How Demian Farnworth (Copyblogger s Chief Content Writer) Writes: Welcome to The Writer Files, a tour of the habits, habitats, and brains of renowned writers — from online content creators, to fictionists, journalists, entrepreneurs, and beyond. Great writing is more vital and in demand than it’s ever been. But...
byThe Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience100%100% found this document usefulWriting Dialogue And Character Voice With Jeff Elkins: How can we write authentic and engaging character dialogue? How can we incorporate sub-text that deepens our writing? Jeff Elkins, The Dialogue Doctor explains more in this interview. In the intro, the new AudibleGate site; scammers using big publisher... Podcast episode
Writing Dialogue And Character Voice With Jeff Elkins: How can we write authentic and engaging character dialogue? How can we incorporate sub-text that deepens our writing? Jeff Elkins, The Dialogue Doctor explains more in this interview. In the intro, the new AudibleGate site; scammers using big publisher...
byThe Creative Penn Podcast For Writers0 ratings0% found this document usefulEp, 392: Kacen Callender, Author of Queen of the Conquered: On today's episode, Adam sits down with Kacen Callender to discuss their new adult fantasy novel Queen of the Conquered. They also discuss writing for marginalized readers and helping people see themselves in stories. This episode is... Podcast episode
Ep, 392: Kacen Callender, Author of Queen of the Conquered: On today's episode, Adam sits down with Kacen Callender to discuss their new adult fantasy novel Queen of the Conquered. They also discuss writing for marginalized readers and helping people see themselves in stories. This episode is...
byProfessional Book Nerds0 ratings0% found this document usefulDoes Your Writing Feel Boring?: Jacob Krueger addresses the more subtle and complex form of writer’s block in this week’s podcast. He examines the source of this block and shares how to begin overcoming it by learning how to safely look, listen, Podcast episode
Does Your Writing Feel Boring?: Jacob Krueger addresses the more subtle and complex form of writer’s block in this week’s podcast. He examines the source of this block and shares how to begin overcoming it by learning how to safely look, listen,
byWrite Your Screenplay Podcast0 ratings0% found this document usefulHow To Edit Your Book And The Different Kinds Of Professional Editors With Natasa Lekic: How you can prepare your book before sending it to an editor? What are the different types of edits and editors you can use for different phases of your writing process? When is editing software worth using and when do you really need human eyes on you... Podcast episode
How To Edit Your Book And The Different Kinds Of Professional Editors With Natasa Lekic: How you can prepare your book before sending it to an editor? What are the different types of edits and editors you can use for different phases of your writing process? When is editing software worth using and when do you really need human eyes on you...
byThe Creative Penn Podcast For Writers0 ratings0% found this document usefulWhat makes a great short story? With Jenn Ashworth: This month, we explore the short story: what makes a great short story and how the format differs from longer forms such as the novel. Lots of writers and teachers extol the virtues of short stories as a training ground for novels, and while this might b... Podcast episode
What makes a great short story? With Jenn Ashworth: This month, we explore the short story: what makes a great short story and how the format differs from longer forms such as the novel. Lots of writers and teachers extol the virtues of short stories as a training ground for novels, and while this might b...
byThe Writing Life0 ratings0% found this document usefulBPS 236: How to Outline Your Screenplay Like a Pro with Naomi Beaty: Naomi Beaty is a screenwriting teacher, screenplay consultant, and former development exec with 10+ years in the entertainment industry. Naomi is based in Los Angeles, CA. She has worked on American productions and on projects in Taiwan and... Podcast episode
BPS 236: How to Outline Your Screenplay Like a Pro with Naomi Beaty: Naomi Beaty is a screenwriting teacher, screenplay consultant, and former development exec with 10+ years in the entertainment industry. Naomi is based in Los Angeles, CA. She has worked on American productions and on projects in Taiwan and...
byBulletproof Screenwriting™ Podcast0 ratings0% found this document usefulHow Bestselling Novelist Peter Heller Writes: Bestselling novelist, award-winning adventure writer, and journalist, Peter Heller, jumped on the phone to talk with me about his early life as a starving poet, breaking into journalism, how he makes things up for a living, and what it's like to be... Podcast episode
How Bestselling Novelist Peter Heller Writes: Bestselling novelist, award-winning adventure writer, and journalist, Peter Heller, jumped on the phone to talk with me about his early life as a starving poet, breaking into journalism, how he makes things up for a living, and what it's like to be...
byThe Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience0 ratings0% found this document usefulSands Hall: Building Characters 0 ratings0% found this document usefulNarrative Design In The Gaming Industry With Edwin McRae: How can you design a story that branches into multiple directions? How does writing for games help with writing a novel? Ed McRae explains narrative design and the opportunities for writers in the gaming industry. In the intro, Podcast episode
Narrative Design In The Gaming Industry With Edwin McRae: How can you design a story that branches into multiple directions? How does writing for games help with writing a novel? Ed McRae explains narrative design and the opportunities for writers in the gaming industry. In the intro,
byThe Creative Penn Podcast For Writers0 ratings0% found this document usefulStarting A Second Career As An Author And Networking Tips With Patrick O’Donnell: How can you transition into being an author after a long-term career elsewhere? How can you adopt an attitude of service in order to build your network in an authentic manner? Patrick O'Donnell shares his tips. In the intro, Podcast episode
Starting A Second Career As An Author And Networking Tips With Patrick O’Donnell: How can you transition into being an author after a long-term career elsewhere? How can you adopt an attitude of service in order to build your network in an authentic manner? Patrick O'Donnell shares his tips. In the intro,
byThe Creative Penn Podcast For Writers0 ratings0% found this document usefulWhen Do You Use the Beat Sheet?: Discover many ways you can integrate the beat sheet into your writing process. Podcast episode
When Do You Use the Beat Sheet?: Discover many ways you can integrate the beat sheet into your writing process.
bySave The Cat! Podcast0 ratings0% found this document usefulWhat’s Your Writing Productivity Type? (with Bec Evans of Prolifiko): Part Two: In Part Two of another special edition of the show we traditionally call “writer porn,” writer, educator, and co-founder of Prolifiko, Bec Evans, returned to conclude our chat about writer personality types, productivity secrets, and understanding... Podcast episode
What’s Your Writing Productivity Type? (with Bec Evans of Prolifiko): Part Two: In Part Two of another special edition of the show we traditionally call “writer porn,” writer, educator, and co-founder of Prolifiko, Bec Evans, returned to conclude our chat about writer personality types, productivity secrets, and understanding...
byThe Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience0 ratings0% found this document usefulHero, Victim and Perpetrator: The Must-Have Relationships in Your Story: Who is the Hero, Victim, and Perpetrator in your story? What are the relationships between each of them? The more vague or ungrounded each of these relationships are, the more the story will not read as believable. This is the focus Danielle, Leslie, and Shawn take on Tim's scene this week. Click here to read Tim's scene: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OQd5NxTcn2JLwrphueCX91A4wXN9BEQFBYwbyN7NJ1M/edit?usp=sharing To see the transcript of this episode, visit: https://storygrid.com/episode-275 — Get a free copy of our book Story Grid 101: The First Five Principles of the Story Grid Methodology: https://storygrid101.com This is Episode 275 of the Story Grid Podcast: https://storygrid.com/podcast Podcast episode
Hero, Victim and Perpetrator: The Must-Have Relationships in Your Story: Who is the Hero, Victim, and Perpetrator in your story? What are the relationships between each of them? The more vague or ungrounded each of these relationships are, the more the story will not read as believable. This is the focus Danielle, Leslie, and Shawn take on Tim's scene this week. Click here to read Tim's scene: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OQd5NxTcn2JLwrphueCX91A4wXN9BEQFBYwbyN7NJ1M/edit?usp=sharing To see the transcript of this episode, visit: https://storygrid.com/episode-275 — Get a free copy of our book Story Grid 101: The First Five Principles of the Story Grid Methodology: https://storygrid101.com This is Episode 275 of the Story Grid Podcast: https://storygrid.com/podcast
byStory Grid Writing Podcast0 ratings0% found this document usefulWhat is literary vs commercial fiction?: Shawn and Tim discuss literary vs commercial fiction and start diving into the giant subject that is genre. Podcast episode
What is literary vs commercial fiction?: Shawn and Tim discuss literary vs commercial fiction and start diving into the giant subject that is genre.
byStory Grid Writing Podcast0 ratings0% found this document useful740. A Sense of Dread: What makes us afraid and how do we write that on the page? Writer Neal Marshall Stevens provides answers as he gives a preview of his book, A Sense of Dread: Getting Under the Skin of Horror Writing. Podcast episode
740. A Sense of Dread: What makes us afraid and how do we write that on the page? Writer Neal Marshall Stevens provides answers as he gives a preview of his book, A Sense of Dread: Getting Under the Skin of Horror Writing.
byOn The Page0 ratings0% found this document usefulBuild Better Worlds: Anthropology for Game Design, Film and Writing: Have you wondered why fantasy stories mostly are just copies of Medieval Europe? Why pop culture has been so obsessed with zombies? Or why Black Panther and the Falcon and the Winter Soldier seemed to hit the right chord at the right time for American... Podcast episode
Build Better Worlds: Anthropology for Game Design, Film and Writing: Have you wondered why fantasy stories mostly are just copies of Medieval Europe? Why pop culture has been so obsessed with zombies? Or why Black Panther and the Falcon and the Winter Soldier seemed to hit the right chord at the right time for American...
byThis Anthro Life0 ratings0% found this document usefulHow To Structure A Novel: Novelist and creative writing lecturer Ian Nettleton explains how to structure a novel - the devices and structural elements that can keep readers engaged, and how to ensure your story becomes a page-turner. The episode covers characters’ wants and need... Podcast episode
How To Structure A Novel: Novelist and creative writing lecturer Ian Nettleton explains how to structure a novel - the devices and structural elements that can keep readers engaged, and how to ensure your story becomes a page-turner. The episode covers characters’ wants and need...
byThe Writing Life0 ratings0% found this document usefulThe Novel Continuum: Sandra Scofield 67%67% found this document usefulIntuitive Editing With Tiffany Yates Martin: How can you create distance from your manuscript in order to see it as a reader does and edit effectively? What are some of the biggest issues with editing a manuscript? How can you edit on a budget? Tiffany Yates Martin talks all about editing in this... Podcast episode
Intuitive Editing With Tiffany Yates Martin: How can you create distance from your manuscript in order to see it as a reader does and edit effectively? What are some of the biggest issues with editing a manuscript? How can you edit on a budget? Tiffany Yates Martin talks all about editing in this...
byThe Creative Penn Podcast For Writers0 ratings0% found this document usefulHow Korean Culture Went Global (2022) 0 ratings0% found this document useful
Related articles
Trope: My Favorite Dirty Word Writer's DigestArticle
Trope: My Favorite Dirty Word
Oct 18, 2021
7 min readHow to Blend Genres Successfully in Revisions Writer's DigestArticle
How to Blend Genres Successfully in Revisions
Oct 9, 2023
6 min readHow Surrealism Can Bring A Spark To Your Writing Writer's DigestArticle
How Surrealism Can Bring A Spark To Your Writing
Oct 18, 2021
In one of my first undergraduate writing workshops, our professor informed us that she was only interested in “normal” fiction. When we asked her to specify, her response boiled down to “no orcs.” I have deep sympathy for my professors’ fears of rece
6 min readHoning the Power of Suggestion With Flash Fiction Writer's DigestArticle
Honing the Power of Suggestion With Flash Fiction
Apr 10, 2023
8 min readPoetic Aside Writer's DigestArticle
Poetic Aside
Jun 12, 2023
Poetry is fun and challenging for many reasons. Poems offer metaphors and images. At the same time, they’re working on sound. Most offer a strong primary meaning with space for readers to fill in their own meanings and interpretations. And, on top of
2 min readDouble the Fun Writer's DigestArticle
Double the Fun
Jun 12, 2023
7 min readStorm Cellar The WriterArticle
Storm Cellar
Oct 16, 2021
3 min readThe Pocket Guide to Pantsing Writer's DigestArticle
The Pocket Guide to Pantsing
Jun 12, 2023
7 min readRevising Writer's DigestArticle
Revising
Apr 27, 2020
6 min readThis Changes Everything Writer's DigestArticle
This Changes Everything
Jun 12, 2023
7 min readWhen One Idea Just Isn’t Enough Writer's DigestArticle
When One Idea Just Isn’t Enough
Dec 21, 2021
6 min readBuilding Worlds To Build Better Stories Writer's DigestArticle
Building Worlds To Build Better Stories
Oct 18, 2021
9 min readBuilding The Bildungsroman Writing MagazineArticle
Building The Bildungsroman
Nov 4, 2021
5 min readNAVIGATING THE WIDE WORLD OF self-publishing The WriterArticle
NAVIGATING THE WIDE WORLD OF self-publishing
Oct 29, 2022
16 min readCharting Your Novel’s Structure in a Spreadsheet Writer's DigestArticle
Charting Your Novel’s Structure in a Spreadsheet
Jun 12, 2023
6 min readThe Donald Maass Craft Library The WriterArticle
The Donald Maass Craft Library
May 21, 2019
“What makes novelists successful is storytelling,” Donald Maass says. He’s written a number of books to help writers understand the art of storytelling: “Writing the Breakout Novel breaks down the technique of plot layers, meaning multiple things hap
1 min readA New Approach To Outlining The WriterArticle
A New Approach To Outlining
Oct 29, 2022
WHEN I WAS ABOUT 12, I PLAYED baseball in the street with a group of neighborhood kids. None of us knew how to play; the point was to have fun. One day while we were playing, a girl who lived in a big house on the corner – Jenny, I distinctly remembe
5 min read12 Foolproof Ways To Fail As A Writer Writer's DigestArticle
12 Foolproof Ways To Fail As A Writer
Dec 21, 2021
Whether you’re just now launching into writing or you’re an old pro, here are 12 surefire ways to fail this year as you pursue your dreams within the writing world. You’ll be tempted to compare other authors’ sales figures, reviews, likes, comments,
4 min readFiring Up Fiction The WriterArticle
Firing Up Fiction
May 21, 2019
5 min readOn the Many Different Engines That Power a Short Story Literary HubArticle
On the Many Different Engines That Power a Short Story
Oct 24, 2019
11 min read3 Reasons Why Authors Resist Book Marketing, and 3 Ways to Overcome That Resistance Writer's DigestArticle
3 Reasons Why Authors Resist Book Marketing, and 3 Ways to Overcome That Resistance
Dec 11, 2023
Every author wants to do right by their book. They want to give their book the best chance to be seen and sold. Desire and action, however, are two very different prospects. When it comes to book marketing, authors shy away. Why? Three reasons: 1. It
5 min readBookish The WriterArticle
Bookish
Feb 26, 2022
BY MATT BELL Author and writing teacher Matt Bell offers a three-part plan to help aspiring novelists finish a manuscript. First is the exploratory phase of discovery and drafting; the second involves structured outlining and rewriting; then, finally
1 min readHow Important is the First Draft to Your Novel? Literary HubArticle
How Important is the First Draft to Your Novel?
Dec 12, 2017
7 min readThe Problem with Promotion Isn’t What You Think It Is Writer's DigestArticle
The Problem with Promotion Isn’t What You Think It Is
Dec 12, 2022
Every author agonizes over a lack of promotion to some degree, and I’m no exception. But it occurred to me today, as I sat at my computer considering the best use of my time, that one of the biggest problems we have as authors is too much opportunity
4 min readThe Three-Act Structure Writer's DigestArticle
The Three-Act Structure
Jun 12, 2023
The three-act structure dates back to Aristotle’s Poetics and is the typical structure for much of fiction, particularly in Western culture. While Aristotle’s framework focuses on writing tragic plays and has specific recommendations tied to that for
4 min readWorth A Th Ousand Words Writer's DigestArticle
Worth A Th Ousand Words
Apr 11, 2022
“A poor pitch can be overlong and not focused,” she observes. “It may also radiate a lack of confidence and inadequate writing skills. You should be able to state what you want to do—especially if it involves interviewing someone—and be able to deliv
2 min readThe Importance of Genre Writer's DigestArticle
The Importance of Genre
Feb 13, 2023
I’ve always had somewhat of a genre problem, and I don’t think I’m alone. Not every book fits tidily into one category. Many novels have elements of various genres. I wanted my book to be unique, and for this reason, I rejected the “know your genre”
4 min readWhat Physics Can Teach Us About Writing Fiction The MillionsArticle
What Physics Can Teach Us About Writing Fiction
Mar 6, 2018
Sometimes writing fiction feels to me like that oft-used image of a godlike creator: the man pulling the strings of the marionette, orchestrating each fine movement from above the stage. One string might be character, another plot, a third setting, a
6 min readIn Her Own Words The WriterArticle
In Her Own Words
Feb 25, 2023
1 min readStructure At The Chapter Level Writer's DigestArticle
Structure At The Chapter Level
Jun 12, 2023
7 min read
Reviews for Plot Isn’t Just a Four-Letter Word
0 ratings0 reviews