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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
    • Writing Techniques
    • Writing Resources & Tools
    • Book Editing
    • How to Publish a Book
    • Writers on Writing
  • meet Alan
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Blog, Inspiration, Novel / Fiction

The Purpose of Made-Up Words in Stories

Have you ever read a book and come across a word you’d never heard or seen before? At first, you might stop […]

Alan WattOctober 12, 2026
Blog, Inspiration, Novel / Fiction

How to Introduce a Character: 5 Key Methods

A character’s introduction is one of the most important parts of your story. Done well, your reader can make a connection in […]

Alan WattOctober 10, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Inspiration, Novel / Fiction, Resources

5 Essential Creative Writing Tips 

Whether you’re brainstorming your first story or publishing your ninth book, there comes a point when all writers wonder the same thing. […]

Alan WattSeptember 11, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, Inspiration, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Writing Motivation

Have you ever found yourself staring at the blank page and waiting for the spark, but it doesn’t come? So you walk […]

Alan WattSeptember 8, 2026
Blog, Dilemma, Free, General, Inspiration, Resources

Personal Growth in Writing: Transforming Both Characters and Yourself

I believe that the desire to write is, to some degree, about personal growth — the unconscious desire to evolve. When a […]

Alan WattAugust 25, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, General, Inspiration, Resources

Writing Challenges: How Small Daily Commitments Create Extraordinary Results

The writing challenge is a commitment to write each day. A few years ago, I noticed that the writers in my workshops […]

Alan WattJuly 14, 2026
Blog, General, Inspiration, Resources

Writing Journals: A Conversation with Your Creative Mind 

Some people think writing journals are only for recording your feelings, venting frustrations, or documenting daily life. But for creative writers, a […]

Alan WattJuly 13, 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, 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, General, Inspiration

Trust Your Wild Imagination

Thoughts on writing, creativity, and meditation Writing and meditation have so much in common. After my husband, Peter, and I attended a […]

Diana McKeon CharkalisJune 18, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Inspiration, Resources

Writing Short-Form Articles for Substack

If you’re like me, and wondered if being on social media and doing book promotion was even compatible with the serene state […]

Rachel RoseJune 14, 2026
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, First-Time Novelist, General, Inspiration, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Overcoming Procrastination: How to Get Out of Your Own Way

There’s a quiet moment every writer knows. You sit. Open the page. The cursor blinks . . . waiting. Then your phone […]

Alan WattMay 29, 2026
Blog, General, Inspiration, Memoir, Resources

6-Word Memoir

Writing a 6-word memoir might feel impossible at first, too restricting, maybe even unfair. You might think, How do you tell a […]

Alan WattMay 11, 2026
Blog, General, Inspiration, Resources

10,000 Hour Rule on Mastering Skills

“It takes 10,000 hours to truly master anything. Time spent leads to experience; experience leads to proficiency; and the more proficient you […]

Alan WattMay 3, 2026
Blog, General, Inspiration, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Tips for Writing a Novel

Master these tips for writing a novel by embracing messy first drafts and creative warmups. Learn how to silence your inner critic and finish.

Alan WattApril 15, 2026
Blog, Inspiration, Memoir

Unmoored: My Search for Meaning

Explore the transformative power of writing as a tool for healing trauma, finding self-acceptance, and discovering meaning beyond the search for fame.

Rochelle SquiresApril 8, 2026
Blog, Inspiration, Resources

Writing a Foil Character

Unlock your protagonist's depth using foil characters. Learn how to use contrast and dilemmas to highlight key traits and drive your story forward.

Alan WattApril 6, 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
  • ⠀