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  • writing classes
    • The 90-Day Novel®
    • The 90-Day Memoir®
    • The 90-Day Screenplay™
    • The Rewrite Master Class
    • The 30-Day Outline
    • Siren Tales: A Women’s Writing Workshop
    • Story Day
    • Class Calendar
  • writing resources
    • 1-on-1 coaching
    • editing services
    • books
    • videos
    • audio
    • writing challenge
    • envision
    • write on thursdays
    • other free resources
  • retreats
    • Tuscany Retreat
    • Solo Retreats
  • blog
    • How to Outline a Book
    • How to Write a Memoir
    • How to Write a Novel
    • How to Write a Screenplay
    • Story Structure
    • Character Development
    • The Writing Process
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    • Writing Resources & Tools
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    • Writers on Writing
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Blog, Inspiration, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Rewriting, Screenwriting

Invocation of the Muse: Cultivating Inspiration for Serious Writers

The idea of a Muse, inspiration, spirit, or genius, is present in any civilization in which great literature exists. When we read […]

Alan WattNovember 27, 2025
Blog, Free, General, Inspiration, Resources

Writing Memes: Why Writers Love Sharing Them (And What They Secretly Teach Us)

If you spend enough time with writers on social media, you’ll soon learn one thing — we enjoy writing memes. The writer […]

Alan WattJune 6, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Resources

Getting Through the Messy Middle

We’ve all been stuck in the messy middle of a story.  Inspiration strikes like raw lightning, bringing a new idea into your […]

Alan WattMay 26, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Outline, Resources

Story Structure

Think of story structure as the skeleton of your tale. We all have different lives, different styles, different appearances. But for the […]

Alan WattMay 21, 2026
Blog, General, Resources

Your Worldbuilding Template for Fiction

Organize your writing process with this comprehensive worldbuilding template. Define the details of your world as a starting point to divine the world.

Alan WattApril 16, 2026
Blog, General, Novel / Fiction, Outline

An Editing Checklist for Writers

Refine your manuscript with this essential editing checklist. Learn how to edit a book by paring down prose and polishing your unique voice.

Alan WattApril 12, 2026
Blog, General, Inspiration, Resources

How to Become a Better Writer

How to become a better writer? Establish a consistent routine that prioritizes showing up. Practice, rest, and refill your creative tank.

Alan WattApril 3, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, Novel / Fiction, Resources

A Guide to Pen Names

Create a powerful tool to protect your personhood and work with a pen name, but establish it intentionally and early in your career in order to use this device of authorship cleverly.

Alan WattMarch 27, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Novel / Fiction, Resources

How Long Does it Take to Write a Book?

"How long does it take to write a book" is a question of daily schedule. A solid outline and forward movement allows any writer to finish on time.

Alan WattMarch 20, 2026
Blog, Inspiration, Memoir, Novel / Fiction

Authoring – and Other Writerly Pursuits

Maida Korte explores 5 critical tenets to help writer's prove their authorship and create unabashedly in a piece on her background and work.

Maida KorteMarch 17, 2026
Blog, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting, Uncategorized

How to Write a Logline

A logline is the first chance your screenplay gets to make an impression. After months of outlining, writing the rough draft, and […]

Alan WattMarch 13, 2026
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

How to Start a Story: Crafting Openings That Captivate

In the best stories, the reader’s attention keeps in sync with the rhythm of the prose. It’s like a snowball rolling down […]

Alan WattFebruary 25, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

Morning Pages: A Daily Habit to Boost Creativity

“Morning pages” is the term coined by Julia Cameron in her work The Artist’s Way used to describe the habit of sitting […]

Alan WattFebruary 6, 2026
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

Getting Past Writer’s Block: Causes and Proven Cures

Writer’s block can feel like a brick wall in your mind. The words stop flowing and the page seems impossible to fill. […]

Alan WattJanuary 25, 2026
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

What is the “Story Circle”? A Practical Breakdown

In simple terms, storytelling consists of three things: the beginning, middle, and end. However, this basic structure can often hide extremely complicated […]

Alan WattJanuary 19, 2026
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Rewriting, Screenwriting

The Writing Process: Learning to Trust the Work

Writing is an act of magic. Out of thin air you’ve conjured something and put it onto the page. People come up […]

Alan WattJanuary 18, 2026
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

The Importance of Character Flaws 

Without flaws, characters may be admirable, but they don’t feel real. Humans are complex and contradictory. We’re all naturally flawed in some […]

Alan WattJanuary 3, 2026
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

Writing Effective Antagonists: Craft Conflict that Matters

It may sound dry, but at the heart of every story is an argument. The theme (or dramatic question) is played out […]

Alan WattJanuary 2, 2026
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Workshops

  • the 90-day novel®
  • the 90-day memoir®
  • the 90-day screenplay™
  • story day
  • rewrite master class
  • the 30-day outline
  • siren tales: a women’s writing workshop
  • Tuscany writing retreat
  • envision: creative goal setting
  • writing challenge
  • solo/couples retreat
  • the 90-day novel®
  • the 90-day memoir®
  • the 90-day screenplay™
  • story day
  • rewrite master class
  • the 30-day outline
  • siren tales: a women’s writing workshop
  • Tuscany writing retreat
  • envision: creative goal setting
  • writing challenge
  • solo/couples retreat

Creativity is your birthright. Your sole purpose is to build a body of work.

The written signature of Alan Watt, writing teacher

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alanwatt.com
  • writing classes
    • The 90-Day Novel®
    • The 90-Day Memoir®
    • The 90-Day Screenplay™
    • The Rewrite Master Class
    • The 30-Day Outline
    • Siren Tales: A Women’s Writing Workshop
    • Story Day
    • Class Calendar
  • writing resources
    • 1-on-1 coaching
    • editing services
    • books
    • videos
    • audio
    • writing challenge
    • envision
    • write on thursdays
    • other free resources
  • retreats
    • Tuscany Retreat
    • Solo Retreats
  • blog
    • How to Outline a Book
    • How to Write a Memoir
    • How to Write a Novel
    • How to Write a Screenplay
    • Story Structure
    • Character Development
    • The Writing Process
    • Writing Techniques
    • Writing Resources & Tools
    • Book Editing
    • How to Publish a Book
    • Writers on Writing
  • meet Alan
  • contact
  • log In
  • log out
  • Join Free
  • ⠀