Writing Blog
Trope Deep Dive: Forced Proximity
The Forced Proximity trope is a compelling narrative device in romance literature that brings characters into close quarters, often against their initial wishes. This enforced closeness creates a fertile ground for emotional development, as characters navigate their differences, confront personal barriers, and often discover unexpected affection.
📖 Story Engineering – Larry Brooks
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks takes a highly structured, almost scientific approach to storytelling, breaking it down into six core competencies that serve as the foundation for a well-constructed novel.
📖 Save The Cat! Writes A Novel – Jessica Brody
Jessica Brody’s Save The Cat! Writes A Novel adapts Blake Snyder’s famous screenwriting method for novelists, providing a highly structured approach to storytelling that helps writers craft compelling narratives.
📖 Creating Character Arcs – K.M. Weiland
Creating Character Arcs is an essential guide to understanding how character transformation fuels great storytelling. Weiland breaks down the psychology of change, showing how internal growth (or decline) intertwines with external plot events.
📖 Plot & Structure – James Scott Bell
If you’ve ever struggled with plotting, pacing, or keeping your story engaging, Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell is a must-read. This book provides a comprehensive breakdown of story structure.
Trope Deep Dive: Grumpy/Sunshine
The Grumpy/Sunshine trope is a delightful narrative device in romance literature that pairs two characters with contrasting dispositions: one is often brooding, cynical, or stoic (the "grump"), while the other exudes optimism, warmth, and cheerfulness (the "sunshine"). This juxtaposition creates a dynamic interplay, leading to compelling character development and heartfelt romantic arcs.
📖 Outlining Your Novel – K.M. Weiland
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of outlining—or if you’re unsure whether outlining is even right for you—this book provides a practical and adaptable approach to planning your novel. Weiland explores different outlining methods, helping writers find a system that works for their unique process.
Categories
Writing Journey – My goals, milestones, reflections on my progress, and lessons learned along the way.
Writing Process – Blog posts about drafting, revising, and my creative habits.
Writing Resources – Tools, research methods, and recommendations.
My Novel – Updates on my current work in progress.
Book Reviews – Reviews of various writing craft books and comparable novels to my work in progress.