plotting | Writers In The Storm

5 Paths to Plotting Your Novel

Guest Blogger — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 07:45:00 +0000

Struggle with plotting? Janice hardy has 5 paths to help you solve the struggle. read more here.

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5 Ways to Keep Your Protagonist Proactive

Guest Blogger — Wed, 05 May 2021 07:48:00 +0000

Make that protagonist proactive! Prevent your story from flatlining by using these five methods to keep your main character off the couch.

The post 5 Ways to Keep Your Protagonist Proactive first appeared on Writers In The Storm.

Story Genius - for Pantsers

Guest Blogger — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 11:01:43 +0000

Lisa Cron Great questions this month – so much to say, so let’s get started! Laura Drake asks: I have a question – I’ve read (no, studied) the first half of Story Genius, and it’s changed the way I write. My weakness is plotting (I don’t). So the second half of the book is lost […]

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Brainstorming: Tips For Getting More Out Of "What if..."

Sharla Rae — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:00:30 +0000

By Sharla Rae Some writers brainstorm on their own, some do it with another writer or a group of writers. My personal favorite is 'what-ifing' with my critique group. Along the way I learned a few things. I think the biggest lesson was that if I walked away disappointed, it was probably my own fault. […]

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Plot Fixer # 9 Plots That Rely On Coincidence and Contrivance

Guest Blogger — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 08:00:27 +0000

Writers In The Storm welcomes back double RITA finalist, Kara Lennox, a.k.a. Karen Leabo with her Plot Fixer blog series. Don’t miss Kara’s writing tips the first Friday of every month. Here are the links for Parts 1-8: Part 1 – Your Premise Isn’t Compelling Part 2 – How To Fix a Weak Opening Part […]

The post Plot Fixer # 9 Plots That Rely On Coincidence and Contrivance first appeared on Writers In The Storm.

The Plot Fixer #8 - Is Your Plot Too Predictible?

Guest Blogger — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 08:00:13 +0000

Writers In The Storm welcomes back double RITA finalist, Kara Lennox, a.k.a. Karen Leabo. Don't miss Kara’s writing tips the first Friday of every month. Here are the links for Parts 1-7: Part 1 - Your Premise Isn’t Compelling Part 2 - How To Fix a Weak Opening Part 3 - A Lack of Goals […]

The post The Plot Fixer #8 - Is Your Plot Too Predictible? first appeared on Writers In The Storm.

Process Envy

Laura Drake — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 08:00:25 +0000

By Laura Drake I belong to the Women’s Fiction chapter of RWA. We just completed a month-long Write-a-Thin (you’d have had to have been there,) and it was wonderful, on many levels (not for me, on the ‘Thin’ part, but that’s another blog altogether.) Since I’m so anal regimented in my schedule, I didn’t think […]

The post Process Envy first appeared on Writers In The Storm.

Your Plot Moves Too Slowly ~ 5 Tips To Help Improve Your Story's Pacing

Guest Blogger — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 08:00:51 +0000

Writers In The Storm welcomes back Kara Lennox, a.k.a. Karen Leabo for some more plot-fixing magic. Look for Kara’s writing tips the first Friday of every month. This is the sixth in an ongoing series of Plot Fixer blogs by double RITA finalist Kara Lennox. Here are the links for Parts 1-5: Part 1 - Your Premise Isn't Compelling Part 2 - […]

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What’s the Worst that Can Happen? Your Character’s Biggest Fear

Laura Drake — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:04:58 +0000

By Laura Drake I read a lot about craft. Books, blogs, articles, websites. I’m always looking to improve my craft. I know you are too, or you wouldn’t be reading this. WITS is all about craft. One of my weaknesses is Plotting. I know these amazing characters – like Athena, they are born, fully […]

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Plot Fixer - Part 2: How To Fix A Weak Opening

writersinthestorm — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:00:11 +0000

Writers In The Storm welcomes back Kara Lennox, a.k.a. Karen Leabo for some more plot-fixing magic. Kara is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than sixty novels of romance and romantic suspense for Harlequin and Random House. OMG, excuse the interruption, but I just realized we hadn't posted Kara's BIG news! She is NOT just a […]

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