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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
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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
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    • Writing Resources & Tools
    • Book Editing
    • How to Publish a Book
    • Writers on Writing
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Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

The Ultimate Literary Devices List: 120 Powerful Techniques Every Writer Should Know

Literary devices are a variety of techniques that writers use to craft better stories, characters, dialogues, and scenes. You probably learned about […]

Alan WattAugust 24, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Epub vs. Mobi: Which eBook Format Do You Need to Publish?

Most writers, deep in their first drafts, are not wondering about ebook file formats. But at some point, particularly if you’re self-publishing, […]

Alan WattAugust 23, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Book? A Realistic Breakdown

At some point, after the manuscript is finished and the relief of typing “the end” has worn off, you start to think […]

Alan WattAugust 22, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

The Caregiver Archetype: Writing the Character Who Loves at Their Own Expense

A Caregiver archetype is someone who keeps everyone else in the story together. They are the ones who are insightful enough to […]

Alan WattAugust 21, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Rewriting

Abridged vs. Unabridged: The Essentials of a Story

Considering the difference between a story that’s abridged vs. unabridged hints at something profound about what makes a story tick.  The gap […]

Alan WattAugust 20, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Rewriting

Collaborative Editing: How to Receive Feedback Without Losing Your Voice

Collaborative editing goes beyond the technical aspects. It’s a partnership to make your work the best it can be. Writing begins independently, […]

Alan WattAugust 19, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Rewriting

Critical Feedback

You’ve finally sent your manuscript to a beta reader, critique partner, or editor. You’re very eager to hear what they have to […]

Alan WattAugust 18, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Rewriting

The Benefit of Sensitivity Readers

You’ve written something brave, but it explores areas you’re concerned might potentially offend a specific group of people or culture. Perhaps you’ve […]

Alan WattAugust 17, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Antagonist Examples: The Characters Who Force Heroes to Change 

If your protagonist’s journey seems to lack energy, they may not be experiencing worthy antagonists. The stereotypical view of an opponent might […]

Alan WattAugust 16, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Contractions in Writing

You may have been taught to avoid contractions in your writing, but that rule typically applies to formal academic writing. There isn’t […]

Alan WattAugust 15, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, General, Novel / Fiction

Amazon Marketing Services Explained: Beginner’s Guide to Amazon Ads

You’ve completed your manuscript. You’ve gone through revision and editing. You’ve nailed down the cover and written a blurb you’re ecstatic about. […]

Alan WattAugust 14, 2026
Blog, Free, Novel / Fiction, Resources

How to Title a Book That Readers Can’t Ignore

How to title your book is one of the smallest writing problems with potentially the largest consequence. You have lived inside these […]

Alan WattAugust 13, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

When the Main Character is the Villain

Have you considered writing a story where your main character is the villain? You might think, “But doesn’t my protagonist need to […]

Alan WattAugust 12, 2026
Blog, Free, Novel / Fiction, Resources

The Ruler Archetype: Writing the Character Who Holds the World Together or Tears It Apart

When a Ruler archetype character enters a room, the atmosphere instantly changes. Not because of what they say or do, but because […]

Alan WattAugust 11, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Rewriting

The 4 Stages of Book Editing 

You finished a polished draft of your manuscript. Congratulations! That is a huge accomplishment, and I’m going to tell you something that […]

Alan WattAugust 10, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

List of Strengths for Character Development: Creating Characters Readers Remember

Writers instinctively know that a character’s flaws drive the story, that the crack in a character’s foundation is what the plot will […]

Alan WattAugust 9, 2026
Blog, First-Time Novelist, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

How to Publish a Book on Amazon KDP (A Step-by-Step Guide) 

If you have done any research into self-publishing, you have probably seen the same name appearing everywhere: Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). This […]

Alan WattAugust 8, 2026
Blog, Free, Novel / Fiction, Resources

The Trickster Archetype: Writing the Character Who Changes Everything by Breaking the Rules 

The Trickster archetype is the character who enters and immediately makes everyone uncomfortable. They say the thing no one is allowed to […]

Alan WattAugust 7, 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
  • ⠀