The Writer's Toolbox Series

Finally! A grammar guide specifically designed for fiction writers! Introducing the second edition, with more than fifty new entries! WRITING CORRECTLY DOESN'T HAVE TO BE HARD Great writers write well. Grammatical errors mark a manuscript as unprofessional and the author as sloppy or an amateur. But you don't have to memorize the myriad of grammar, punctuation, and usage rules to have a well-written book. If you're a novelist or write creative nonfiction, this handy guide is essential—giving you the most common and applicable rules and tips to make your book shine—minus the pain! Inside you'll find Short, concise, and often humorous explanations of important grammar, punctuation, and word usage rules as featured on the award-winning blog Live Write Thrive. Bonus fiction-writing tips to help you tighten your prose and say what you mean in fewer, more appropriate words. Easy-to-navigate sections and a comprehensive index so you can find the answer to your grammar question right away. Whether you're a novice or experienced writer, you'll benefit from these clear and helpful explanations of grammar and usage based on The Chicago Manual of Style—the US book publishing industry's authoritative reference guide. You no longer need to search the web or thumb through a stack of grammar books to find simple answers to your grammar questions. With Say What? at your fingertips, you'll spend less time fretting over grammar and more time writing. And you'll become a better writer in the process! Here's what writing instructors say about this handy grammar book: "Good, concise and easily accessible reference books on grammar and usage is hard to find. I mean, are hard to find. This is one of them." —James Scott Bell, bestselling novelist, writing coach, and author ofRevision and Self-Editing for Publication "This handy, user-friendly reference book, presented with style and humor, is a must for any writer serious about honing their craft and garnering respect for their works. An essential resource, the e-book will save you time with all its quick links to the short, snappy topics, and the print version is small enough to stay within reach beside your computer, so I highly recommend getting both. Respected editor and writer Susanne Lakin succeeds in making a dry topic interesting and meaningful! And using this book will also help you reduce your editing costs." —Jodie Renner, editor and author of Style That Sizzles "As a self-professed grammar nerd, let me just say this: The world needs more grammar nerds. Editor Lakin is doing her part to make this happen with her pithy, fun, and supremely useful guide to the everyday writing mistakes most of us don't even realize we're making. Her book is conversational and approachable enough to make for enjoyable reading. But its true value is in its 'lookupability.' This is the perfect guide to keep on your desk, next to your computer, for those moments when you're just not sure which word is right." —K. M. Weiland, author of Structuring Your Novel and Outlining Your Novel 

Layer your novel to success with this innovative, simple technique!   Writing a terrific novel is a complex endeavor. And while there are hundreds of books, podcasts, and blog posts that teach aspiring authors how to structure scenes and plot out a solid story, none implement the most intuitive and effective method for success.   What is that method?   Layering.   Novels are made up of dozens of scenes, and regardless of genre, time-tested structure dictates what key scenes are needed and where. Most writers are familiar with some of those scenes: the Inciting Incident, the Midpoint, and the Climax, to name a few. But novelists need more than a few landmarks to find their way across the tricky terrain of novel plotting. They need a surefire method to organizing all their scenes.   In Layer Your Novel, you'll be introduced to an innovative, intuitive method for arranging your scenes and crafting a beautifully structured story.   First, you construct the ten most important scenes as a foundation. From there, you choose from one of three methods to craft a second layer of scenes: the action-reaction layer, the subplot layer, or the romance layer.   Once your second layer is integrated, next comes the third layer: the processing scenes that the glue your plot together.   In Layer Your Novel, you'll learn: What the 5 major turning points are and where they're placed in your novel How to know exactly where to start your story and how to set up your premise What the ten key scenes are that serve as the framework for your novel What pinch points are and why you need them How to craft those essential twists and where they're placed in your story for greatest impact Why your protagonist's goal is the key to great storytelling How to come up with a meaningful subplot that will showcase your story's themes How a romance novel is structured and how to plot out the romance story line How to analyze best sellers in your genre to identify and learn from the layers evident in their plots How to apply this layering method to novellas   Special bonus analyses!   In Layer Your Novel, you'll dig into deconstructions of best-selling novels across genres to see how successful authors have their key scenes in all the right places, which gives credence to this practical layering method. In contrast, examples of best sellers are dissected to show the structural flaws due to the lack of the needed foundational framework that this layering method advocates.   Don't guess what scenes you need in your novel. Don't guess where your scenes go. Guessing usually leads to novel failure.   With the method you'll learn in Layer Your Novel, you'll guess no more.   You can write terrific novels, every time, if you layer your novel following this blueprint!   "Layer Your Novel: The Innovative Method for Plotting Your Scenes mocks pantsers, of whom I am chief. (Well, OK, it teases us, and Stephen King is the chief, but I am a devotee). And yet I loved this book. There is so much here, yes, even for us pantsers—because in every novel manuscript there comes that point where we wish we were plotters. And as much as C. S. Lakin eschews winging it, her layering method actually allows for enough creativity and innovation that we get the best of both worlds. If the idea of outlining repulses you, admit there are times when you wish you'd done it, and give Layer Your Novel a peek. It'll make you a better storyteller. —Jerry B. Jenkins, international best-selling author of The Left Behind series

  Want to become a successful author? If so, you're going to have to crank out books. And not mediocre books but high-quality ones.   Why? Because that's what readers expect and want. Regardless of whether you write fiction or nonfiction, if you want to get established as an author, you need to be productive. Highly productive. You can't just write one terrific book and call it good, expecting that singular work to carry you atop the wave of success for years to come. Studies show readers want 3-4 books a year from their favorite authors. And to build traction and a growing audience, authors need to deliver. But how many writers have the time to write that many books? In today's busy world, amid distractions and demands, it's hard to carve out time to write even one book a year. But plenty of super-busy people find time to crank out numerous high-quality books. And in this in-depth look on the topic, you'll learn the strategies that help them—and will help you—be super productive. If you want to grow your readership, you need to write the best books you can—and that means strategizing to optimize every factor that impacts your writing. Here are some of the things you'll learn in Crank it Out!: How to dig deep into the Productivity ABCs—attitude, biology, and choices—and analyze yourself to prepare to make the needed adjustments to be super productive How to spot destructive attitudes and rewire them to allow you to break through to success How to determine your biological prime time and identify your peak hours to write in order to get the most out of your writing time How to hack around your excuses, bad habits, and distractions that are blocking your way How to alter your sleeping, eating, and other behaviors to ensure peak performance How to thwart self-sabotage and perfectionism, which prevent you from becoming the super-productive writer you long to be Plenty of people who work full-time, have heavy family responsibilities, or deal daily with chronic health issues or physical challenges find ways to crank out books. They do so because writing is important to them. How badly do you want it? Now's the time to stop making excuses and start becoming proactive. Instead of complaining you have no time to write, take the challenge this book presents. There's a surefire way to becoming a super-productive writer, and it's as simple as ABC.

The First Page of Your Novel Must Be Perfect!   Most authors know that the first pages of a novel are the most crucial and carry the weightiest burden in their entire book. The opening scene must convey so many things that often the author will have to rewrite it numerous times to get it right. But the first page is especially crucial to get right. Why? Because if readers don't get engaged in the story right away, they'll stop reading. That puts a tremendous burden on writers to bring their best effort to the table. And, truth be told, a novel's first page is indicative of all the pages to follow. So it behooves writers to learn how to master the techniques needed to craft terrific first pages. Using a first-page checklist, Lakin examines two dozen first pages of best-selling novels, detailing what works, what doesn't, and why. Here are some of the issues and topics explored in this deep dive: Narrative that is excessive or "telling" instead of showing Opening paragraphs that fail to grab readers due to lack of intriguing action or flat characters Writing that grabs and writing that bores How much detail is too much or too little Finding the perfect balance when world building Ways to evoke emotion quickly in readers to get them to care about your story To prologue or not to prologue Consideration of first pages of novels in a series and what that requires Understanding how genre is the key to every great first page The pitfalls of backstory Yes, you can craft a perfect first page—one that immerses your readers into your story and characters without delay. The insights you gain from studying these first-page analyses will serve you well with every page you write.

“The most comprehensive book on self-editing for fiction writers!” “Filled to the hilt with the essential tools you need to write clearly and effectively and, overall, become a better fiction writer.” Fiction writers often struggle to improve their craft. And the biggest challenge comes from the inability to see what isn’t working. The prose feels off. The scene isn’t gelling. The dialogue sounds stilted or clunky. But they don’t know why or how to fix it.  5 Editors Tackle the Twelve Fatal Flaws of Fiction Writing demonstrates the deadly dozen pitfalls on the road to a strong story, along with revisions that show writers exactly how to avoid novel failure. No other writing craft book offers such detailed instruction in how to spot and remedy the major flaws of fiction writing. What makes this book an important addition to a writer’s bookshelf?  More than 60 Before and After passages showcase each of the twelve fatal flaws, which are then picked apart and examined to help writers spot these flaws in their own writing and fix them. Five editors with extensive background in both editing fiction and writing novels bring a wealth of insights, examples, and solutions to these flaws, using various genre styles and POVs. Each chapter ends with a checklist to help writers seek and destroy these fatal flaws in their manuscript, followed by bonus Before and After passages to help them test what they’ve learned.  This in-depth guide to self-editing is an invaluable resource for any writer of any genre. It shows, not just tells, how to write better fiction. Using it, you’ll be armed with the tools and skills you need to conquer the twelve fatal flaws of fiction writing. “This book should be on every writer’s bookshelf.” —Cheryl Kaye Tardif, international best-selling author

Want to write a visually powerful novel? Shoot Your Novel takes an in-depth look at cinematic technique for fiction writers. No other writing craft book teaches you the secret of how to "show, don't tell." Best-selling authors of every genre know the secret to hooking readers—by showing, not telling, their story. But writers are not taught how to "show" scenes in a cinematic way. Without a clear, concise, and precise method for constructing dynamic scenes, a writer will likely end up with a flat, lifeless novel. Filmmakers, screenwriters, and movie directors utilize cinematic technique to create visual masterpieces, and novelists can too—by adapting their methods in their fiction writing. By "shooting" your novel, you can supercharge your story! Sol Stein, in his book Stein on Writing said, "Readers, transformed by film and TV, are used to seeing stories. The reading experience . . . is increasingly visual." Novelists today—regardless of genre—need to learn how to write cinematically because that's what readers want! Inside, you'll learn: The real secret to "show, don't tell" and how it's all about "the moment" More than a dozen "camera shots" novelists can borrow from screenwriters and directors to create powerful, active scenes Instruction on how to piece camera shots together to create cinematic scene segments Examples from novels and screenplays showcasing each facet of cinematic technique How to devise a thematic image system of key shots, motifs, and images Ways to use colors, shapes, sounds, and angles for purposeful subliminal effect Shooting your novel with a filmmaker's eye will transform your good novel into a great one and will change forever the way you approach constructing your scenes. No other book gives you such deep, thorough instruction in cinematic technique for fiction writing. Here's what some best writing instructors and best-selling authors have to say about this essential writing craft book: "With such an extensive amount of experience in the screenwriting process (since childhood), it comes as no surprise that C. S .Lakin writes with a trustworthy authority and wealth of insight when it comes to the craft of building dynamic scenes within novels. The pace and flow of Shoot Your Novel makes it easy to follow and the various tips and pointers strewn throughout are succinct. Of particular note is the smart curation of novel excerpts, authors, and filmmakers she cites as examples for the tips she suggests. If you have trouble understanding some of the pointers/tips theoretically, the excerpts always make it more clear. Well worth the read!" —Warren Adler, best-selling author of The War of the Roses and Random Hearts "With Shoot Your Novel, Susanne Lakin does something wonderful and unique. While lots of us in the business of helping writers and storytellers recommend adding vivid images to scenes, Lakin goes much further to reveal how employing the tools and techniques of movie directing, editing and cinematography will give your fiction deeper meaning and greater emotional impact. Her book is an essential tool for any serious novelist." —Michael Hauge, Hollywood screenwriting coach, author of Writing Screenplays That Sell

Learn the secret of how to write the heart of your story! This writing skills book, full of fiction writing technique, is like no other. Some novelists write with the goal of becoming a best seller, hoping for wealth and fame. Some just want to write novels that earn them a steady income so they can feed their families and pay their bills. Some write to express their creativity and don’t care if anyone ever reads their books. Then there are the other writers. They want to write an unforgettable novel—the kind of book that gets called a classic, that endures the ravages of time, that stays long in readers’ hearts and changes their lives. These writers want to know the secret of how to reach the heart of their readers. If you are one of those writers, Writing the Heart of Your Story is the book you’ve been waiting for. Inside, you’ll learn: what the most important key elements are that must be in the very first scene of your novel—and some in the first paragraph. how to tap into the heart of your story, characters, setting, plot, and themes by employing specific writing exercises. ways to brainstorm ideas for plot, themes, motifs, setting, and rich characters through asking a series of questions that will take you deeper below the surface of your story. what the most important question is that must be asked in the opening scene in order to write an unforgettable novel. what three things each character must be asked for them to become truly believable and compelling. the secrets to structuring powerful scenes by focusing on the “high moment.” Don’t just write a good novel. Write a great one—by mining the heart of your story! Here's what the best writing instructors and bloggers have to say about this essential writing craft book: “A fresh and motivating take on conventional wisdom, but with unconventional heart. This is highly accessible teaching that transcends ‘how to’ and goes deep into ‘why to’ in a way that will force you to choose between reading it again and jumping on your own project. Bravo.” -Larry Brooks, best-selling author of Story Engineering and Story Physics “As authors, our job is to make people feel, and to do this we need to connect with our own deepest selves in the hope that we can meet the reader where they are. This book will teach you how to delve into your own heart in order to impact those who read your words.” -Joanna Penn, author of From Idea to Book “A veritable compendium of sound writing advice and technique. Written in a style that is both accessible and fun, Lakin's book will be a welcome companion on your writing journey.” -James Scott Bell, best-selling author of Conflict and Suspense and Plot and Structure “I read dozens of writing craft books every year. All too many of them are ho-hum, been-there-done-that. This one is absotively posolutely not. Lakin offers a refreshingly structured—and yet freeing—approach to not just creating a solidly entertaining story but to crafting a tale of emotional resonance and resilience. Her useful writing exercises and spot-on story sense offer epiphany after epiphany. This is one I will read and reread.” -K. M. Weiland, author of Outlining Your Novel and Structuring Your Novel “C. S. Lakin once again shares her generous heart and knowledge and experience with writers in this inspiring and inspired Writing the Heart of Your Story. Ready to take your writing to the next level? Lakin offers practical exercises to help you bring heart to your own stories." -Martha Alderson, author of The Plot Whisperer series of writing books

The 12 Key Pillars of Novel Construction takes the mystery out of building a solid story and shows you how to go from idea to complete novel in practical, easy-to-understand steps. Build smart! Over and over, struggling writers make the same fatal mistakes in their manuscripts. Even writers who have studied all the best writing craft books and taken workshops and followed writers’ blogs still don’t get the structure.  Truth is, a lot of writers believe they can write a novel without taking time to learn the nuts and bolts of novel construction. Just as with building a house, writers need to adeptly wield the proper tools and materials, and follow structurally sound rules if they hope to “build a novel.”  Build strong! Smart writers will take the time to learn how to structure strong pillars that will hold up their novels. This new comprehensive writing craft book clearly lays out just how to build each essential pillar so it can carry the weight of your story. Without such foundational support, collapse is inevitable.    Build a novel that will stand up to scrutiny and thrill readers!