Posts Tagged ‘novel writing’

Am I Even a Writer? On Writing Identity and Practice

October 26, 2024

Am I Even a Writer? On Writing Identity and Practice

I’m excited to share that I’m working on a new book titled Am I Even a Writer? This quick-read, available on Amazon in January 2025, explores questions at the heart of what it means to be a writer, including issues of writing identity, writing practice, self-permission, and authenticity. A conversation-in-print, Am I Even a Writer? is meant to offer insights and inspiration to anyone who’s wondering if they can truly call themselves a writer.

The book is based on the first of five deep, wide-ranging conversations I had with my friend Melissa Jo Hill on our podcast Jamie Helps Mel Write a Novel. During this initial conversation, Mel and I touch on worries about our identities as writers and whether a writing practice might help us feel more like the “real thing.”

As a writing coach, I’ve worked with many folks who are passionate about writing–but who may stumble over creative self-doubt: Am I a real writer? they might ask. Or, Do I have the skills to tell my story effectively? Through insights, practical reflections, and shared stories, Am I Even a Writer? On Writing Identity and Practice invites readers to consider these and other questions about what it means to be a writer, along with Mel and me.

Of course, writing is more than just putting words on a page. We can write as a personal practice, a way of exploring who we are; or as a way to share our stories with others—and for a hundred other nuanced purposes in between. In Am I Even a Writer? we’ll consider the value of having a writing practice and what having a practice does (or doesn’t) mean about our identity as writers.

Does Writing Practice Make Perfect?

Whether you do free-writing exercises, daily journaling, or sit down at your desk regularly to develop outlines, scenes, or chapters, writing practice can you make sense of your thoughts, unlock creativity, and deepen your connection to your work. But is writing as a practice—albeit one that allows us to explore without judgment and find our voice at our own pace—a prerequisite to calling ourselves “writer”?

Am I Even a Writer? On Writing Identity and Practice is meant to be encouraging to anyone on the writer’s path. Short and sweet—and funny and poignant—this tiny pocket guide to big questions is a quick, approachable read. Am I Even a Writer? will be available on Amazon in January 2025. I invite you to join Mel and me then to share in this journey of self-reflection, practice, and connection.

In the meantime, I hope you’ll explore the writing resources on my site for tips, prompts, articles, and discussions to support your writing journey.

10 Ways to Use Backstory in a Novel or Memoir

September 11, 2024

When we consider backstory, we see it is a crucial element in any novel or memoir. Backstory adds depth and complexity to characters and plot. But how do you use it effectively without overwhelming your readers or slowing down the narrative? In this post, we’ll explore 10 ways to use backstory in your writing, and we’ll highlight some common mistakes to avoid.

What Is Backstory and Why Is It Important in Writing?

Backstory refers to the events and experiences that happen before the start of your novel or memoir. It’s what shapes your characters’ motivations, fears, and desires. When used well, backstory adds richness to your narrative and helps readers connect with your characters on a deeper level.

10 Ways to Use Backstory in Memoir vs. Novels

For memoir writers, backstory functions a little differently than in novels. Since a memoir is a reflection on the author’s real life, backstory often serves to contextualize key moments. While novelists create fictional pasts for their characters, memoir writers use backstory to explain personal events, emotional growth, or formative experiences that influence the main narrative.

Memoir backstory also has an added layer of authenticity and emotional resonance because it’s grounded in reality. However, like in fiction, memoirists must balance how much of their past they reveal at once. The trick is to provide enough backstory to make the present compelling without overwhelming readers with unnecessary details.

1. Drip Backstory in Slowly

Instead of overwhelming readers with all the details at once, reveal your character’s past gradually. A slow, steady reveal builds intrigue and keeps readers invested.

What Not to Do: Avoid info dumps—long, dense passages of backstory that stop the story in its tracks.

2. Make Backstory Relevant to the Plot

Use backstory to explain character motivations or drive the plot forward. If a backstory detail doesn’t affect the present, leave it out.

What Not to Do: Don’t include backstory that doesn’t have an impact on the character’s current journey or decisions.

3. Reveal Backstory Through Dialogue

Let characters naturally reveal parts of their backstory through conversations. This adds depth without slowing the plot.

What Not to Do: Don’t make characters awkwardly state known facts. Dialogue should flow naturally, not feel like an exposition dump.

4. Use Flashbacks Sparingly

A flashback is a narrative device that shows events from the past as if they’re happening in real time, in a fully dramatized scene. This allows the reader to experience the moment vividly, as though it’s unfolding in the present. Flashbacks are powerful but should be used with caution. A well-placed flashback can shed light on pivotal moments in a character’s past.

Memoir writers often use flashbacks to return to specific memories that explain personal transformations or life-changing events. Just like in fiction, memoir flashbacks should illuminate something relevant to the current timeline.

What Not to Do: Too many flashbacks can disrupt the pacing of your novel or memoir.

5. Tie Backstory to Character Motivation

Ensure that your character’s backstory explains their present behavior. This gives readers insight into why your character makes certain choices.

What Not to Do: Avoid backstory that feels disconnected from the main plot or doesn’t influence the character’s actions.

6. Show, Don’t Tell

Instead of telling readers about your character’s past, show how it impacts their present through actions and behavior. For example, a character with trust issues may hesitate to form close relationships, hinting at their backstory.

What Not to Do: Don’t rely on long internal monologues to explain the past.

7. Use Sensory Details for Backstory

Ground backstory in sensory experiences like smells or sounds. This makes the flashback or memory more vivid and emotional for readers.

What Not to Do: Avoid sensory overload. Too many details can overwhelm the reader and detract from the main story.

8. Let Readers Fill in the Gaps

Allow readers to infer parts of the backstory on their own. This can create a sense of mystery and make the eventual reveal more satisfying.

What Not to Do: Don’t leave critical parts of the backstory too vague—readers need enough information to understand the story.

9. Show How Backstory Affects Relationships

Backstory is essential in showing how characters’ relationships evolve. Conflicts or bonds formed in the past can explain present tensions or alliances.

What Not to Do: Don’t let backstory drive all character dynamics. Present interactions should develop relationships, too.

10. Use Backstory to Create Conflict

Use unresolved issues from the past to add tension to the current plot. A buried secret or a past failure can create conflict and keep readers engaged.

What Not to Do: Don’t let the backstory overshadow the main plot. The past should enhance the present, not dominate it.

Avoid These Mistakes When Applying Any of the 10 Ways to Use Backstory

Don’t Overload the Beginning: Introduce backstory gradually; readers don’t need to know everything upfront.
Avoid Clichés: Overused tropes, like tragic childhoods, can feel stale unless you bring a fresh angle.
Don’t Use Backstory as a Crutch: Characters should still be accountable for their actions, regardless of their past.

In Conclusion: Backstory, when used effectively, can enhance the emotional depth of your novel or memoir. By introducing it gradually, making it relevant, and tying it into character motivation, you’ll keep your readers engaged without slowing down the action. Mastering the balance between past and present will enrich your story and deepen the connection between your characters and your readers.

How to Plot Your Novel Without Losing Your Mind

September 11, 2024

If you’re a writer looking to plot your novel without feeling overwhelmed, you’re in the right place! Whether you’re just getting started or stuck in the middle, plotting doesn’t have to be complicated. This guide will show you how to structure your story, build tension, and keep your readers hooked—without losing your mind.

Why Plotting Matters for Writers

At the heart of every great novel is a well-thought-out plot. If you’re struggling to turn your ideas into a cohesive story, don’t worry. A little structure can go a long way. In this post, we’ll break down the steps to creating a plot that’s compelling and easy to follow.

Step 1: Start with the Basics

At its core, a plot is about a character (or characters) who wants something, but things aren’t going their way. Think about your main character. What do they want more than anything? And what’s standing in their way? These questions help you establish conflict, which is the driving force behind any good plot.

Once you know what your character wants, it’s time to develop the events that will guide your story from beginning to end.

Step 2: Build Rising Action to Keep Readers Engaged

The rising action is where your character faces challenges, and the tension builds. As a novelist, this is your chance to test your character’s limits—both physically and emotionally. But make sure these obstacles feel like they’re progressively getting tougher. Your readers should feel the stakes rising with each chapter.

During this phase, it’s essential to include a **low point** or “dark night of the soul” for your protagonist. This is the moment when everything seems to be falling apart. Your character may feel like they’ve failed, or their goal is completely out of reach. This emotional low point is critical because it sets the stage for their ultimate victory—or their transformation.

Including this low point adds depth to your novel and gives your readers a reason to root for your character as they fight to overcome their struggles.

Step 3: Hit the Climax

The climax is the most intense part of your novel—where all the tension comes to a head. This is the moment your readers have been waiting for, where your character faces their biggest challenge. Whether it’s a dramatic battle, a critical decision, or a life-changing confrontation, the climax should feel like the peak of your character’s journey.

For a strong climax, make sure it challenges your protagonist’s deepest fears or desires. Readers should feel the weight of this moment and understand that everything your character has been through has led to this turning point.

Step 4: Finish with a Satisfying Resolution

After the intensity of the climax, your readers will want to see how everything wraps up. The resolution is where you show the aftermath of the climax—what has changed for your character, and how they’ve grown. A well-crafted resolution ties up loose ends and gives your readers a sense of closure.

However, not all stories need a perfectly happy ending! Sometimes, a bittersweet or open-ended conclusion can leave a lasting impact and feel more realistic.

How to Plot Your Novel Successfully: Bonus Tips

Use a Loose Outline: Even if you prefer to write organically, having a basic outline can help keep your story on track. It doesn’t have to be detailed—just enough to guide your plot without boxing you in.

Let Your Characters Drive the Plot: If you get stuck, think about what your characters would do next. Often, staying true to their motivations will help the plot unfold naturally.

Stay Open to Surprises: Don’t be afraid to follow unexpected ideas that come up while writing. Some of the best story moments happen when you’re willing to deviate from your original plan.

Knowing How to Plot Your Novel Is the Key to Success

Plotting a novel can feel overwhelming, but taking it step by step makes it much easier. By understanding your character’s desires, building conflict, and incorporating a powerful climax, you’ll create a story that captivates readers from start to finish.

Remember, there’s no one “right” way to plot a novel. As long as you stay true to your characters and the emotional journey of your story, the plot will fall into place.

So, take a deep breath, grab your metaphorical machete, and start plotting your path through the jungle of storytelling. With these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to writing a novel that’s full of heart, tension, and excitement—all without losing your mind.

“Novel” Solutions for Writing a Novel

September 7, 2024

In this article, you’ll find some “novel” solutions for writing a novel. Based on tarot and oracle cards, the ideas below will give you concrete, yet imaginative, ways to home in on and resolve stuck places in your book or writing process.

You’ll need a tarot or oracle deck for these exercises.You’ll find many cool decks on Amazon. Because this one, TAROT FOR BEGINNERS, has meanings printed right on the cards, it might be particularly useful for the exercises below.

Solve your novel-writing problems—with cards!

Tarot and oracle decks provide both rich imagery and specific concepts for each card. Because of this, every card can offer you a new direction or perspective when you’re stuck in your novel-writing process.

While you could simply draw a single card to advise you about your writing project, novelist MK Swanson of Writing Dreamer created two multiple-card spreads to offer more targeted solutions for writing a novel. The first, the By the Plot Clock Spread, takes you on a journey around your story, making sure your plot points are sturdy and compelling. In the second, the Muddy Middle Spread, MK offers a map to guide us through the swampy middle of our narrative, by illuminating a solid path forward.

In addition, she’s shared some ideas for using the cards to support our novel-writing efforts. Thanks, MK!

Using Cards to Create Solutions for Writing a Novel:

Shuffle the deck while focusing on your writing question, issue, or creative block.
Draw the required number of cards for your chosen spread and lay them out in front of you.
Refer to both the meaning of the cards (as written on the card or in the accompanying booklet) and their images. This approach offers you a balance of guidance and creative flow. Use the text to ground your thinking, and let the image open up possibilities.
Journal your reactions to each card, noting what stands out to you. Write freely and see where your thoughts take you.

By the Plot Clock Spread

This spread follows the arc of a story from beginning to resolution, guiding you through key plot points and character development. It’s ideal for outlining a story or deepening your understanding of the narrative flow.

How to Use the Spread:

Shuffle the deck with a specific story or project in mind.
Lay out seven cards in a clockwise circle, like the hours on a clock.
Interpret each card based on the stage of the story it represents, using both the card meaning and image to explore plot, emotional depth, and character evolution.

Card 1: Beginning

The story begins, introducing the main characters and the setting.

What to look for: This card sets the tone and mood of the story. It reveals the protagonist’s world, their current state of mind, and any key relationships. The card may offer insight into the setting or atmosphere.
Questions to ask: Who is the protagonist at the start? What is their world like before the conflict?

Card 2: Inciting Incident

A conflict disrupts the protagonist’s world.

What to look for: This card introduces the central conflict or problem that will drive the story. It shakes up the protagonist’s life and creates the main tension of the narrative.
Questions to ask: What external or internal event disrupts the protagonist’s status quo? How does this challenge their current reality?

Card 3: Binding Point

After resisting the pull, the protagonist is drawn into their story.

What to look for: The protagonist initially hesitates but is eventually compelled to take action. This card explores the moment they commit to the journey, whether willingly or reluctantly.
Questions to ask: What pushes the protagonist into action? How do they react to being drawn into the story’s conflict?

Card 4: Obstacles

Obstacles and complications test the protagonist’s resolve and abilities.

What to look for: This card highlights the challenges the protagonist faces on their journey. These obstacles may be external (antagonists, events) or internal (self-doubt, fear).
Questions to ask: What are the key obstacles standing in the protagonist’s way? How do these challenges test their abilities or growth?

Card 5: Low Point

The protagonist is at their lowest, and must change to succeed.

What to look for: This card represents the protagonist’s lowest point, where they feel defeated or lost. It also signals a turning point where change is necessary for them to move forward.
Questions to ask: What brings the protagonist to their lowest point? What realization or transformation must they undergo to rise from this?

Card 6: Climax

The protagonist faces their greatest fears and the main conflict is resolved.

What to look for: The protagonist confronts their deepest fears and the story’s main conflict reaches its climax. This card reveals the resolution of the story’s central struggle.
Questions to ask: How does the protagonist face their greatest fear? What is the key moment of resolution?

Card 7: Resolution

Plot, emotional, and thematic conflicts are resolved.

What to look for: The final card represents the story’s conclusion. It wraps up the plot and emotional journey of the protagonist, resolving both external and internal conflicts.
Questions to ask: How has the protagonist changed? What thematic or emotional lessons have been learned? How does the story come to a satisfying resolution?

This spread helps you create a complete narrative arc, from introduction to resolution, guiding you through each critical step of the story. Let the cards inspire you to develop rich characters, layered conflicts, and a transformative journey for your protagonist.

Muddy Middle Spread

This three-card spread is designed to help you push through the “muddy middle” of your story—when momentum slows, and the way forward feels unclear.

Card 1: The Current Struggle

What’s causing you to feel stuck in the middle of your story?

This card identifies the source of the stagnation—whether it’s plot, character motivation, or a lack of clarity about where things are headed.

Card 2: The Missing Element

What’s needed to get the story moving again?

This card reveals what’s missing—a plot twist, a character’s motivation, or even an unexpected development that can reignite your creative energy.

Card 3: The Way Forward

What direction should you take to move past this blockage?

This card offers a clear action or path to get you out of the murky middle and back into the flow of your writing.

Use this spread to break free from the slow, sticky parts of your story and gain clarity on how to push forward with renewed momentum.

Feel free to experiment with these spreads or invent your own. The cards are tools to help you unlock creative ideas and overcome challenges, whether you need clarity, inspiration, or a fresh perspective. Happy writing!

Why Hire a Book Coach: Jen’s Story

September 14, 2023

Perhaps you’re wondering, Why hire a book coach? Jen’s story, below, will give you a novel writer’s first-hand experience of working with a professional book coach.

When Jen first contacted me, she’d completed a Young Adult (YA) novel and had already been under contract with a literary agent for a year. Unfortunately, the agent was not able to sell the book. The editors rejecting Jen’s manuscript said things like: “The plot was slow-moving,” “I found my interest waning by the third chapter,” and “I couldn’t quite connect with the main character.”

Finally, mutually frustrated, Jen and her agent parted ways. This brought Jen to a come-to-Jesus moment with her literary career—and led her to hire a writing coach. I’m delighted that coach was me! And I’m so happy to share Jen’s thoughts on our process together.

Why hire a book coach: Jen shares her story

If you’re a writer, you spend a lot of time in your own head. If you’re not a writer, that might sound weird to you, but trust me—it’s fun! There are people in there, and they’re doing interesting things: falling in love, learning magic, murdering their families. Writers’ heads hold maps of cities and castles and the location of quicksand. They’re populated by talking animals, ghosts who refuse to speak their needs clearly, and, maybe, if we’re really good planners, several generations of violent family trauma.

See? Fun!

Writers, however, aren’t content to hang around in their own brains by themselves forever. We writers want to show-n-tell the insides of our brains to the world. And we want the world to love what they see. And pay us for it.

So we sit down to our laptops and we type for many years. And then we send our manuscripts to our friends and family and wait for them to say they like it. And then we email our manuscripts to carefully researched agents in New York who we’re sure are going to love it. And then we die when we receive piles of rejection letters.

But we revive ourselves and do it again. And again. Maybe we do it three times before we stand in front of our haggard reflections and ask ourselves if we should stop—forever.

We don’t, though, either because we really loved show-n-tell (and we’re still mad that Mrs. Walsh mismanaged her time and missed our turn on the last week of second grade) or because there’s something in our bones that won’t let us stop.

When to hire a book coach

After all those rounds of rejection, we realize it’s time to do something different. If we’ve got several years of free time on our hands—not to mention a spare $50,000—maybe we go back to school for a Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) in writing.

If we don’t have that luxury—and I didn’t—I highly recommend hiring a book coach.

If you’re intimidated by the cost of a writing coach, you might want to research the cost of a three-credit graduate class on novel writing. Then consider the fact that you’d be sharing your professor with your classmates. Not only that, but your class will likely end long before you finish a first draft, let alone your second.

When I found Jamie, I was in the middle of my MA in Special Education, and it put the cost in perspective. By the age of 35, I had invested tens of thousands of dollars on myself as a teacher and only a few hundred dollars on myself as a writer. I decided it was time to change that.

Why hire a book coach if you have a finished manuscript

I came to Jamie with a finished manuscript—my first foray into writing adult fiction, rather than my seemingly unmarketable YA novels. But no matter how many times I revised it, it wasn’t working.

We decided to go back to the beginning of the process—back to story concept. That meant I had to trust Jamie with the raw contents of my brain, and it wasn’t easy. Jamie, however, is a big fan of raw brain. She’s an idea zombie, if you will—deeply interested in the process. I learned to trust her to help me untangle the contents of my gray matter and weave them into a cohesive story, one that connects with readers.

Not show-n-tell

Writing a novel is inherently a lonely process. While it may not be show-n-tell, writing is a way to make a human connection. (Maybe AI is going to write the next novel. And maybe it will be entertaining. But I daresay readers want satisfying connections with characters, understanding that another human designed that character and her journey.)

Leo Tolstoy said, “Art is a microscope which the artist fixes on the secrets of his soul, and shows to people these secrets which are common to all.” Writing 400 pages of the secrets of your soul just to receive a “no thanks” earns you membership in an especially sad club.

You start to wonder if there’s something wrong with you—something about your secrets that really are uncommon.

And then you meet Jamie, who tells you that’s crazy, to get back to work. The issue isn’t that you’re too weird, she’ll say. It’s that you’re not being weird enough. From there, you discover the secret to connecting to readers is mastering the craft. It’s a skill. It’s hard work. That narrative structure, the Hero’s Journey—the one that’s been in literally every story ever since the dawn of human language—it exists for a reason.

No, it’s not easy to master. But Jamie is a plotting expert with a keen eye for characterization. She’s a voracious reader with a book recommendation for exactly what you need to work on this month. She’s a cheerleader and a tough-love distributor. Family and friends will pretend to like your work when it’s bad. Jamie will not. She’s your personal trainer who’s going to tell you that you need to work harder, but she’s also going to make sure you’re not wasting your valuable time working harder on the wrong things.

Welcome to the book coach reality show

Working with Jamie hasn’t exactly been the show-n-tell I’ve wished for; it’s more like being a contestant on one of those reality TV shows. You know. The ones where the straight-shooting declutterer holds your hand as you tearfully toss four of your five chipped Teflon pans into a distended garbage bag. Just like that host, though, Jamie reassures you that, somewhere, behind those dutch ovens and glass casseroles, there’s going to be a story people—editors included—will love.

And I believe her.

—Jen Russ

Struggling to get published? A top book coach might help! Let’s chat.

I love story—and the characters that live through their stories. I’ve helped many novelists develop their plots in ways that make them more engaging and more marketable. If you’re working on a novel and wonder how to make it more successful, schedule a free writing consultation with me. Also, check out THE WRITER mag article “Should I Hire a Writing Coach.”

Book Coach Tips for Writing a Successful Novel

September 10, 2023

As a professional writing coach, I always want to support writers in their quest for success. This month, my post “Book Coach Tips for Writing a Successful Novel” focuses on the most important aspects of novel writing. I also include resources that will help you level up your novel-writing game.

Tips for writing a successful novel: Voice + character

Job one, connect your reader to your main character (MC). While we often think that readers are more interested in the plot of our stories than our characters, that’s not quite true. What’s funny, perhaps ironic, is that while readers generally think plot is the main draw for them, they’re actually wrong! (Most of the time. Generally speaking. In this book coach’s experience.)

In fact, what pulls a reader into a story first is voice. While the back jacket copy’s catchy synopsis of your story is what gets a reader to open your book, the voice your potential reader meets on page one must hook them.

Voice conveys attitude—usually, your main character’s attitude. It’s how you introduce your character, and it sets the tone for your reader’s experience. (It’s similar to a vacation destination: Some readers hate the snow. They won’t book a ski vacation! But another reader might love the crisp chill of your character’s voice.)

If the voice is engaging, you will keep your reader’s attention long enough to reveal your character’s need, goal, dilemma—those elements of story that integrate character with plot. If your reader finds your character sympathetic, they’ll tumble down the rabbit hole of your story, committed to seeing how your character fares.

Tips for writing a successful novel: Plot

As mentioned, readers tend to think that plot drives their reading choices. And a well-turned plot with a strong hook will certainly get your book “read-more” clicks! Whether your story is high concept or not, your plot should drag your main character into situations, environments, and relationships that, in her ordinary world, she would avoid at all costs.

Convince your reader that your MC has no choice but to involve herself in the dire circumstances you’ve built for her. Do this by creating irresistibly compelling stakes: putting her loved ones in danger, perhaps, or forcing her to face illness, financial ruin, or loss of her hard-won reputation.

Once your MC has embarked on the roller-coaster ride of her story, make sure there are no exit ramps along the way (sorry, mixed metaphors). In fact, you want to keep escalating the stakes! Push your MC to continually face new challenges as she tries (desperately!) to either meet her initial goal or to succeed in whatever glass-mountain-climbing task your story has provided her.

However you play it, for your main character, there must be no way out but through. And every plot point you create should enforce this. (My deepest sympathies to your main character!)

Resources for novel writers

There are many masters of the novel-writers’ craft. And, fortunately for us, quite a few of them have written books to guide us on our writing path. As a long-time writing coach, I’ve found several that I recommend quite often. Here’s a short list for you.

THE SECRETS OF STORY, by Matt Bird

PLOTTING YOUR NOVEL WITH THE PLOT CLOCK, by Jamie Morris, et al

HOW TO WRITE A DAMN GOOD NOVEL, by James N. Frey

PLOT & STRUCTURE: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot That Grips Readers from Start to Finish, by James Scott Bell

SAVE THE CAT WRITES A NOVEL, by Jessica Brody

You might also enjoy my article “How to Write a Novel” or be interested to learn more about how successful authors have used my Plot Clock method to get their novels agented and published.

Interested in receiving personalized book coach tips for writing a successful novel? A free chat with a top writing coach can offer just that!

Novels and their authors are near and dear to my heart. Over the last decade, as a professional writing coach, I’ve helped many novelists take their books to the next level. If you’re working on a novel and wonder how to make it more successful in the current market, let’s chat. Schedule a free writing consultation with me. Also, check out THE WRITER mag article “Should I Hire a Writing Coach.”

Writing Coaching: The Hard Stuff

August 1, 2023

I’ve been in the trenches, coaching writers, for well over a decade. From long experience, I can tell you that, with writing coaching, the hard stuff is the stuff that can make or break a career. And by “hard stuff,” I mean whatever you currently don’t have in your writer’s toolkit.

Most writers have mad skills in some areas, but struggle in others. For instance, you may be a crazy plotting genius, but create flat-as-a-pancake characters. Or, you’re an amazing researcher, but stumble when trying to organize your ideas on the page.

As writers, we all have strengths and weaknesses. But, weirdly, it’s looking our weaknesses straight in the eye that separates successful writers from those who never reach their full potential. It’s natural to want to work around our literary deficiencies. But if we’re willing to really dig in to the less-developed aspects of our writing, we will—eventually—strike gold.

Writing coaching: the hard stuff

Tackling those underdeveloped skills head-on isn’t easy. As a professional writing coach, I often see writers struggle with aspects of writing that feel completely out of their current reach—creating a dynamic plot, for some; finding a convincing voice for others. However, I know that if they keep at it—putting in what may seem an unreasonable amount of time and effort—there will be a pay off.

On the other hand, some writers can’t—or won’t—harness their energies to make the admittedly uphill climb to mastering a tough skill. They truly believe their current (easier, go-to) strengths will carry them to where they want to be in their writing life.

I understand! But that’s not how it works—at least not in my experience.

Hiring a writing coach

So … you know something in your writer’s arsenal needs to be powered up. You hire a writing coach. And it’s going wonderfully! Your coach is an angel on your shoulder. She encourages you, provides accountability, reads your work with enthusiasm and insight. Fantastic!

Of course, she also points out areas of your work that could use some improvement. Many of these aspects are easy-peasy to address. Yes, I can easily be more precise with my verbs, you say. Also, Giving more visual cues to my readers? No problem.

But the hard thing? That “weakness” which is native to you as a writer, your literary blind spot? As you work with your coach, that will become more and more evident. Worse, no matter how hard you try to address this most difficult of skills, you may feel you aren’t making significant progress. And your darned coach won’t let it go!

Fortunately, she will bring myriad ways to help you on-board the skill you most need to master. That’s because she knows how important it is to your career. You can’t maneuver around a deficit without compromising your work as a whole.

Yet, despite your—and your coach’s—best intentions, you may get to a point of frustration. You might want to toss up the whole enterprise and walk away. But—and I am telling you this with the deepest compassion I can bring here—if you keep moving in the direction of excellence, especially when the going gets tough, you will make it through. Then, you will reap rewards you can’t even imagine when you’re humping that huge load of sticks uphill toward your beautiful writing dream.

I believe in you! If you’re ready to dig and find out what you’re made of, a chat with a top writing coach might be your next step on the road to literary success.

As a professional writing coach, I support fiction and nonfiction writers working in a number of genres. Wherever you are on your writing journey, I would love to see how I can help you achieve your literary goals. Schedule your free writing consultation with me. And take a look at THE WRITER mag article “Should I Hire a Writing Coach.”

The image of tarot’s Ten of Wands comes from the ASTROMATRIX TAROT, available on Amazon.

How to Write a Fantasy Novel: Quick Tips!

July 10, 2023

Wondering how to write a fantasy novel? As a professional writing coach, I’ve learned that following a few important guidelines can make all the difference! Here are some magical tips to help you write fantasy fiction, from me—and NEW YORK TIMES best-selling fantasy author Lev Grossman.

Quick tips for writing fantasy fiction

World-building: Your fantasy world may be an ancient one, filled with a long history of dwarves and elves and dragons. Or it might exist in a contemporary city, where magic hangs heavy in the air.

Whatever your fantastic world, make sure you establish consistent rules to govern your magical elements. Also, even if there’s not a dwarf in sight, you will still need to include the background of your world.

To do so, answer questions like these: What is the origin of magic in your world? Who is allowed to use the magic? How does the magic manifest? Are there factions in your world? If so, what is the source of their differences?

Limit point of view (POV) characters; Your fantasy may encompass many characters. However, if this is your first foray into writing fantasy, I suggest you limit yourself to no more than four POV characters.

Limiting POV characters makes it easier to map out your story. It also allows you to create an internal arc for each POV character. Those arcs ensure your readers invest in your characters as well as your plot.

Create a stand-alone first novel: Fantasy novels are often developed into series. However, if you’re a first-time fantasy novelist, I suggest you write a stand-alone first novel. Forcing yourself to complete a significant narrative arc in a single book will keep you from drowning in story-line possibilities.

If you love your fantasy world, you may decide to set another story there. Eventually, you may find you have created a series! But if you follow this advice, each volume of that series will be a satisfying read on its own.

Of course, as you dig deeper into your fantasy-novel-writing craft, you’ll be ever-better prepared to commit to a full series, right from the get-go!

Let’s learn from Lev Grossman!

My short list of tips covers what I consider to be the most important for fantasy writers to consider. However, Lev Grossman has written a terrific essay on novel writing that addresses many other points of interest for fantasy—and other—writers.

Check out his Buzzfeed piece “How Not to Write Your First Novel,” subtitled, “It is Okay Not to be a Genius.” (Hm. Reading about Grossman’s chilly, oddly heart-filled journey through six cold months in Maine, I’m pretty sure I see his genius shining through.) Grossman is the author of THE MAGICIANS, THE MAGICIAN KING, and THE MAGICIAN’S LAND, among other well-regarded fantasy titles.

Wondering how to write a fantasy novel? A chat with a top writing coach might help!

As a novel writing coach, I support writers working in a number of genres, fantasy, among them. Whether you’re world-building or developing your characters, I would love to see how I can help you, too. Schedule a free initial consultation with me. And also check out THE WRITER mag article “Should I Hire a Writing Coach.”

How Long Should a Novel Be?

July 1, 2023

IN THE BOOK WRITERS’ CRITIQUE GROUP I LEAD, we recently discussed the differences between works of narrative fiction. While word count is not the only distinguishing feature, it’s certainly the easiest to grasp. Perhaps you’re wondering, “How long should a novel be?”

As a professional writing coach, I’m asked about book lengths quite often. That’s why I compiled this quick guide to word count—and a few distinguishing features of long fiction forms, as well.

Word counts for novels, novellas, and novelettes

We call all of the above—novels, novellas, and novelettes—book-length fiction. But they actually vary wildly in length.There are typically other differences in these forms, as well.

Novelettes: Sometimes a term that is used derogatorally. The word count for a novelette is between 7,500 and17,000. In addition to their short length, novelettes are characterized by their sentimental style and, often, on a romantic focus.

Novellas: Not to be confused with telenovelas, a term given to dramatic, primarily Latin American, television series. Novellas have an approximate word count between 17,000 and 40,000. A novella will typically have fewer (if any) subplots than a novel. It will also generally take place in a shorter, more contained time frame and a single location.

Novels: Starting at 40,000 words (except for children’s fiction), with no cap other than what agents, editors, and readers will accept. Given its length, a novel has room for a writer to develop subplots, use multiple points of view, and explore multiple locations—and even multiple periods in time. (Think, time travel novels or family sagas.)

Word counts for novels by genre

Middle Grade: 25,000 – 50,000

Young Adult: 45,000 – 100,000

Fantasy: 50,000 – 150,000

Sci-fi: 50,000 – 150,000.

Romance: 50,000 – 90,000.

Mystery: 40,000 – 80,000.

Horror: 40,000 – 80,000.

Dystopian: 60,000 – 120,000

Thriller: 90,000 – 120,000

I hope this quick look at word counts and genres helps as you prepare to write your novel. You might also like this article: “How to Write a Novel.” It’s an exciting journey—and I wish you all the best as you get underway!

How long should your novel be? A chat with a top novel writing coach can help you navigate the word-count waters!

As a top novel writing coach, I help book writers decide how long their novel—or novella, or novelette—should be. We can address practical questions like this and much more in a no-cost phone chat. Schedule a free initial consultation with me, now. And read THE WRITER mag article “Should I Hire a Writing Coach,” too!

Outline Your Novel with ChatGPT

June 17, 2023

Did you know you can outline your novel with ChatGPT? No? Me, either. But I asked my super-smart techie novelist friend MK Swanson if she had used ChatGPT, and she said she had. Specifically, she told me that she now believes “novelists can use ChatGPT to supercharge their process. For instance, you can outline your novel with ChatGPT.” Then she offered to write a blog post for my readers showing her first-time process in doing so!

Below, MK describes how she approached ChatGPT for outlining assistance—and the surprisingly good results she got. As you’ll see, MK first needed to get ChatGPT up to speed for the task. To do so, she first picked a specific approach to novel outlining (from the gazillion available). She chose to work with the plot clock-–which is what I use to help my clients with their outlines.

Then, based on what ChatGPT discovered about the plot clock, she had the program ask her appropriate questions to get her ideas flowing and on track. “Watching” them work together is fascinating!

Here’s MK …

I’m MK Swanson, a novelist who’s interested in tech. I wanted to see how I might put the large language model (LLM) ChatGPT to use as a creative writing partner. At first, I found its responses stilted and awkward. I said to myself, “This is fine if I was a middle school student cheating on a take home assignment. But I’m a real writer. It doesn’t offer me anything that I can’t do better myself.”

But I tried again. And now I think that every writer, especially novelists, can use ChatGPT to supercharge their process. For instance, it is ideal for the delicate project of outlining your novel.

How to outline your novel with ChatGPT

Create a dialogue

You want to enter into a dialogue with ChatGPT. Start that dialogue by giving ChatGPT a clear prompt.

MKS (prompting ChatGPT): You are a writing coach who uses the plot clock method to guide writers to create an outline of their novel, and I am your client. Ask me a series of questions that will give me a good outline of my novel, stopping to allow me to answer after each question.

This prompt sets up the interaction between me and ChatGPT. I use the prompt to tell ChatGPT what perspective I want it to take (“you are a writing coach”) and what outlining method I want it to use (“the plot clock”). Finally, I set up a conversation-style interaction where it will ask me the next question fluidly.

Story starting point

ChatGPT (responding to the prompt): Of course! I’d be happy to assist you in creating an outline for your novel using the plot clock method. Let’s begin by diving into some key aspects of your story. Remember to take your time to think about each question and provide as much detail as possible. Here’s the first question:

What is the initial situation or setup of your story? Describe the world, the main character, and their ordinary life before the inciting incident occurs.

MKS: Livendra is a young woman living on the remains of the Florida peninsula in the future. The world environment has become more unpredictable and dangerous. Coastal cities have been submerged. Livendra makes a living as a pirate, stealing treasures and supplies from salvage corporations whom she blames for the state of the world. She believes that civilization is in its death throes.

Inciting incident

ChatGPT: Thank you for providing such a vivid and detailed description of your story’s initial situation. It sets a compelling backdrop for the events to come. Now, let’s move on to the next phase of the plot clock:

What is the inciting incident that disrupts Livendra’s ordinary life as a pirate and sets the main events of the story into motion? How does this incident change her perspective or force her to confront new challenges?

MKS: Livendra tries to steal a boat from a corporation, and is caught, but the man who catches her not only lets her go, he joins her. After they escape, he insists he can help her reach her most precious goal—to retrieve a sculpture her mother carved from inside the flooded borders of Jacksonville, which is guarded by a paramilitary group.

Conflicts and obstacles

ChatGPT: Excellent! The inciting incident you’ve described adds an intriguing twist to Livendra’s life as a pirate and sets the stage for new challenges and unexpected alliances. Now, let’s move on to the next phase of the plot clock:

As Livendra and her companion embark on their mission to retrieve the sculpture, what are the major obstacles or conflicts they encounter? Consider both external factors, such as the paramilitary patrols, and internal struggles that Livendra may face along the way….

ChatGPT and I continue this back-and-forth all around the plot clock, with me making up a host of other details.

You can also ask ChatGPT to help you outline your novel using the Snowflake method, the hero’s journey, a chapter-by-chapter approach, or any other outlining method you desire. And, you can ask ChatGPT to be a character in your novel, then engage it in dialogue to learn more about your character’s motivation.

Other things you can do with ChatGPT

You can use ChatGPT to outline a draft of an existing novel-in-progress in order to add complexity, straighten out a plot tangle, or create a timeline. You might also ask it to use the outline you created with it to summarize your novel, write a book jacket blurb, or come up with an elevator pitch.

If you’d like to learn from the best novelists of all time, you can even ask ChatGPT to outline novels in its corpus. It offered me a quite reasonable outline of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.

Things you can’t do with ChatGPT (yet)

Of course, there are many things ChatGPT can’t do, such as:

It can’t retain context in a chat window for more than a few thousand words. (If the AI model begins to lose focus, switch to a new window and give it the outline so far.)
It isn’t completely private. (Read the fine print.)
It doesn’t offer truly creative ideas. (Those come from you!)

ChatGPT might not be a magical solution to all your writing needs, but it’s not just a cheat sheet. With patience, you may find you can use it to invigorate your outlining process. And once it’s done that, what other ways will you find to make it work for you?

* I used OpenAI’s free research preview of ChatGPT for this example.

This article was written by novelist MK Swanson, who writes about tech and writing at writingdreamer.com and brasstack.net.

Trying to outline your novel? I can help!

As a novel writing coach and memoir coach, I have helped scads of writers outline their stories. Let’s see if my approach can help you. Schedule a free initial consultation with me. And also check out THE WRITER mag article “Should I Hire a Writing Coach.”

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