novel writing | Writers In The Storm

4 Essential Elements You Need to Create a Workable Novel

Guest Blogger — Mon, 16 May 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Many writers are frustrated to discover their story doesn't work. Sandy Vaile reveals the four essential elements you need to create a workable novel.

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One Plotting Tool for All

Lynette Burrows — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Whether you are a pantser or plotter you can use this tool. It is not a tagline. It is not a log line. The story sentence is one plot tool for all.

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Does Your Villain Have Well-Developed Motivations?

Guest Blogger — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 12:27:18 +0000

Angela Ackerman Writers are encouraged to dig into their hero or heroine’s past to understand what factors (including wounding events) are steering their behavior and motivation in the story. By doing this we can ensure our protagonist’s goal aligns with the unmet need driving them, tailor challenges that will force them to face specific fears, […]

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4 Questions to Jumpstart Your Novel

Guest Blogger — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 12:00:36 +0000

Janice Hardy For some writers, a blank page is a scary thing to face. Others see all that white space as an opportunity, and can't wait to dive in and tell their story. The vast majority of us probably fall somewhere in between, with some ideas making us eager to write, and some fighting us […]

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Avoiding Stranger Danger in Your Writing

Orly Konig-Lopez — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 12:00:05 +0000

Let’s face it, the characters you write about are often more familiar to you than your own family and friends. After all, they’re with you 24-7. Fixing dinner for your family: “So, yeah, hey, you know I think I’m actually allergic to goat cheese which means you really need to scrub that entire amazing scene […]

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Acting Out of Character

Guest Blogger — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:00:58 +0000

Jessica Strawser Mumble-mumble-cough years ago, back in my high school days, I was what you might have called a hopeless romantic—in the doe-eyed, day-dreamy way of those who have yet to actually experience romance, let alone real hopelessness. At my bedside was a faux wood clock radio, and every night after my lights were out, […]

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When the Stories Have All Stopped

Guest Blogger — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 12:00:16 +0000

Kimberly Brock What in hell do I blog about today, when the world is turning itself inside out every two seconds over one drama or another? What in hell do I write as a fiction author that could matter to a reader when reality is body slamming her, night and day? We all want to […]

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Is Your Novel “Good Enough”?

Guest Blogger — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 12:00:56 +0000

Kathryn Craft Turning Whine Into Gold If we are ever to finish a novel there comes a point when we all must ask: is our story (yet) good enough? The question deserves a thoughtful answer. A glib “Hey, it’s better than half the crap out there” is the mindset that once defined “vanity publishing,” and […]

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7 Things Authors Must Do Differently in 2017

Guest Blogger — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 12:00:44 +0000

Penny C. Sansevieri If you’ve ever thought that the publishing industry is tough to figure out, you’re not alone. In fact, I once had an author tell me that getting into publishing is sort of like building a house without any plans. There’s a lot of information out there, but it can be overwhelming or […]

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Knowing Your Limits as a Writer

Orly Konig-Lopez — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 12:00:57 +0000

Someone I know is going through a personal tragedy that has rocked my insides to the point I can't think about it without bursting into tears. The idea of dealing with something like this paralyzes me. I was talking to a writer friend about it and her response was typically writerish - "Oh my god, […]

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