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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
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    • writing challenge
    • envision
    • write on thursdays
    • other free resources
  • retreats
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    • 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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    • How to Publish a Book
    • Writers on Writing
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Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, General, Resources

The No-Excuses Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism

Avoiding plagiarism seems like a simple task: Just don’t steal someone else’s work. But when you’re immersed in research with tabs open […]

Alan WattJuly 18, 2026
Blog, Free, Resources, Screenwriting

How to Adapt a Book Into a Screenplay

Months, maybe even years, have been invested in crafting your novel or memoir, and now you have decided to adapt it into […]

Alan WattJuly 17, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, Resources

The Cumulative Sentence: How to Write Lines that Pull Readers In

The cumulative sentence is a versatile sentence structure that helps writers develop rhythm, reveal character, and enrich description within a single line.  […]

Alan WattJuly 16, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Dialogue Tags: The Art of Guiding Conversation 

Dialogue tags are essential to keeping up the illusion of storytelling. Dialogue ceases to be words on a page, and readers start […]

Alan WattJuly 11, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Inspiration, Novel / Fiction, Resources

The Scapegoat: Why Your Characters Need Someone to Blame

Typically, we view a scapegoat simply as a plot device — an innocent bystander blamed for a criminal act, or the black […]

Alan WattJuly 10, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Resources

How to Start a Memoir

How do you start your memoir when there are infinite places to begin, and every idea leads to ten new ones? How […]

Alan WattJuly 8, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Peer Learning: Why Writers Grow Faster Together

Most writers spend years trying to improve alone. I understand the instinct. Writing is personal, vulnerable work, and solitude often feels safer […]

Alan WattJuly 7, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

The Creator Archetype: Writing the Character Who Builds, Breaks, and Burns 

The Creator archetype is someone driven by their imagination, vision, and a need to bring something new into existence. Think of the […]

Alan WattJuly 6, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Inspiration, Novel / Fiction

Words Have Power

You might see the philosophical, inspirational phrase “words have power” written on coffee mugs or in cards handed out at graduations. People […]

Alan WattJuly 5, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

How to Copyright a Book Like a Pro

In the world of digital publishing, intellectual property protection is more vital today than ever. Whether you are self-publishing on a platform […]

Alan WattJuly 4, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Resources, Rewriting

Descriptive Adjectives: Choosing Words That Create Emotion  

Almost every writer has, at some point, re-read something they worked hard on and realized it wasn’t quite right. It lays flat […]

Alan WattJuly 3, 2026
Blog, Free, Memoir, Resources

Examples of Memoirs: What Great Memoirs Can Teach You About Storytelling

A memoir is not simply a retelling of your life story. It’s about finding meaning in your experiences and shaping them into […]

Alan WattJuly 1, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Outline, Resources

Lost the Plot: What To Do When You Get Stuck

For all our enthusiasm when we start a story, it’s easy to get stuck and realize we lost the plot along the […]

Alan WattJune 30, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

The Sage Archetype: The Gift and Burden of Knowing 

We’ve all read stories with a mentor figure The elderly woman who lives at the outskirts of the village and tells riddles. […]

Alan WattJune 29, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Screenwriting

Wearing Too Many Hats: Understanding the Screenwriter’s Role

When writing a screenplay, there often comes a point where you start to imagine you’re in charge of the entire production.  Perhaps […]

Alan WattJune 28, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Memoir, Resources

Advice from Authors on Writing Memoir – 8 Helpful Hints

Even accomplished writers balk at writing a memoir. While you may labor for years developing fictional narratives, screenplays, or essays, once the […]

Alan WattJune 27, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Memoir Writing Prompts to Help You Find the Real Story

Most writers think a memoir begins with memory. It doesn’t. It begins with tension. A feeling you can’t shake. A question that […]

Alan WattJune 25, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

How to Start a Novel

Okay, perhaps you’ve been filling pages with scattered notes, and now there’s a growing sense you have a story that wants to […]

Alan WattJune 24, 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
  • ⠀