How to Plot and Outline Without Using a Formula
Writers need help building something beautiful, solid, and original—and that takes a method. The method I suggest has three concepts: Scene, Series, Theme.
How I Wrote My Novel Using Index Cards
As a writer, I began as a ‘pantser’. If the term isn’t familiar, its simply (and somewhat hilariously) refers to someone who writes by the seat of her pants. That’s how I do life, that’s how I started writing flash fiction and short stories, and I imagined that’s how I would write a novel. ...
4 Steps for Organizing Plot Ideas Into a Novel
I recently finished brainstorming for a new book. I had lists of ideas, pages full of "what ifs," and be...
Story Shapes: Four Ways To Think About Narrative Architecture
Story has shape. We’re often told it has a two-dimensional shape — a common rise (gentle or swift) of a hill, or a scalene triangle. But I call shenanigans on that. I say utter donkeytr…
How to Use a Plot Planner
A plot planner enables you to keep the larger picture of your story in full view as you concentrate on writing individual scenes.
A brief tour of Trello for writers
Author Simon K Jones demonstrates how he uses Trello with his writing projects.
Example of a beat sheet
An example of a beat sheet used to outline a screenplay.