Writing Blog
📖 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.
Setting the Scene: Exploring Timberline, Wyoming and The Real-World Inspiration for My Story
I’m trying something a little different today! I realized I hadn’t created a full setting profile to reference while I’m writing, so I made a list of traits and inspirations for Timberline, WY in my notes. Then, just for fun, I fed my notes into ChatGPT to see if it could come up with a narrative description for my setting. While the language is a tad flowery for my taste, I love how the AI model managed to capture the essence of a small mountain town in the throes of a transformation into a premier resort destination. Let me know in the comments what you think of this AI generated setting profile!
📖 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.
Simple Outlining Techniques for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide
Outlining your ideas doesn’t have to be a daunting, detailed process. While I’ve previously shared my in-depth, scene-by-scene plotting method, this post is all about getting started with easy, accessible techniques. Whether you’re a die-hard pantser or just new to outlining, these methods are designed to help you structure your thoughts without feeling overwhelmed.
📖 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.
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.