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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
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    • editing services
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    • writing challenge
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    • write on thursdays
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    • How to Outline a Book
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Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Outline, Resources

Pacing in Writing

Many writers struggle to get the pacing right in their stories. We adjust scenes: adding, trimming, and attempting to hike up the […]

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

Proofreading

While your Editing Checklist is about clarity and pacing, and your Rewrite is about adjusting the structure and polishing character development in […]

Alan WattMay 15, 2026
Blog, Free, Novel / Fiction, Resources

External conflict

Without tension or conflict, a story will not only be boring, but absent of meaning.  At the heart of every story lies […]

Alan WattMay 14, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Writing Goals

What are your writing goals? Do you have dreams of winning the Pulitzer prize? Writing a bestseller or an Academy Award winning […]

Alan WattMay 12, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

How to Use Sensory Details in Your Story

Your goal as a writer is to immerse your readers fully in your story, to help them experience what it feels like […]

Alan WattMay 8, 2026
Blog, Dilemma, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Outline, Resources

What Makes a Good Story? The Four Elements

This is a question that can often lead writers down the wrong path. Many try to answer this through the complexity of […]

Alan WattMay 6, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Rewriting

The Rewrite

Once you’ve completed an editing checklist on your manuscript, you may find that your story requires a more substantial rewrite.  Often dreaded […]

Alan WattMay 5, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Outline, Screenwriting

How Long Should a Screenplay Be?

Screenplays usually land around 90 to 120 pages. And the reason involves both technical considerations and the practical realities of making a […]

Alan WattMay 2, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Character Name Ideas

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”– William Shakespeare, Romeo and […]

Alan WattMay 1, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

How Many Words in a Chapter?

Authors often struggle to figure out when to add chapter breaks and how to properly split up their novel or memoir.  A […]

Alan WattApril 30, 2026
Blog, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Literary Agents: Steps to Securing Representation

Literary agents serve as the link between writers and the publishing houses that print and market their books. They’re often described as […]

Alan WattApril 29, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Internal Dialogue

Internal dialogue does more than let you know what a character is thinking. It shows you what that character cannot bring themselves […]

Alan WattApril 28, 2026
Blog, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Flash Fiction

If you want to become a better writer, flash fiction is a powerful way to strengthen your storytelling muscles. Flash fiction is […]

Alan WattApril 25, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Realistic Fiction

There’s a particular kind of courage in writing about the world as it actually is. Although our imaginations can take us to […]

Alan WattApril 24, 2026
Blog, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Character vs. Society

While each type of narrative conflict serves a purpose, Character vs. Society can be particularly interesting. Instead of a protagonist clashing with […]

Alan WattApril 23, 2026
Blog, Free, Novel / Fiction, Resources, Screenwriting

How to Introduce a Character in a Screenplay

How to Introduce a Character in a Screenplay: Master the art of first impressions with proper formatting, action cues, and internal dilemmas.

Alan WattApril 21, 2026
Blog, Draft for Blog, Novel / Fiction, Outline, Resources

Character Outline

Master your character outline by connecting internal dilemmas to plot beats. Learn to challenge false beliefs and drive true transformation.

Alan WattApril 20, 2026
Blog, Dilemma, Free, General, Novel / Fiction, Resources

Internal Conflict

Explore how internal conflict drives character transformation and fuels your plot with our guide on dramatizing the psyche's dissonance.

Alan WattApril 19, 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
  • ⠀