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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
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    • editing services
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    • write on thursdays
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    • How to Write a Memoir
    • How to Write a Novel
    • How to Write a Screenplay
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Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

Imagery: Writing with All 5 Senses

As writers and engineers of stories, imagery is our bread and butter. In some sense, all the literary devices at your disposal […]

Alan WattNovember 20, 2025
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

What is Irony? Exploring Its Forms and Power in Storytelling

A finely developed sense of irony is a wonderful tool for a writer. In this article, I will discuss different forms of […]

Alan WattNovember 19, 2025
Blog, General, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Rewriting, Screenwriting

How to Write a Synopsis that Grabs Attention

A synopsis might sound like just another item on your never-ending to-do list, but it’s actually one of the most powerful tools […]

Alan WattNovember 17, 2025
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

Point of View: Second Person

You probably haven’t read many books written in the second person perspective, maybe since your last “choose your own adventure” novel. Most […]

Alan WattNovember 14, 2025
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Outline, Screenwriting

How to Write an Effective Resolution

All stories must eventually come to a conclusion, or “resolution.” As an author, your job is to ensure that the plot threads […]

Alan WattNovember 13, 2025
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Outline, Screenwriting

Exposition: “Where should my story begin?”

For some writers, just getting the story started is the toughest part. There’s so much you want to say, but you have […]

Alan WattNovember 10, 2025
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

Point of View: First Person

The first time you experienced the magic of storytelling, odds are it was a personal story you heard in first person. A […]

Alan WattNovember 4, 2025
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

The Static Character’s Secret: Why Change Isn’t Always Necessary

The characters we write in our stories play a central part in the audience’s engagement. Understanding your characters and why they do […]

Alan WattOctober 30, 2025
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

How to Invoke Pathos in Your Writing

Pathos is a key aspect of any rhetorician’s approach to their oratory. If you are writing a speech in your novel or […]

Alan WattOctober 23, 2025
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

Unlock Your Story’s Theme: Crafting Stories That Matter

Theme is a way of making a series of events which are personal to the protagonist universally relatable to a wide audience. […]

Alan WattJune 10, 2025
Blog, Dilemma, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

Exploring the Dilemma

At the heart of every story lies a dilemma. It is not a question of whether or not your protagonist has a […]

Alan WattAugust 27, 2024
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Inspiration, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

Never Give Up

I was a half decent 800-meter runner in high school, not great, but I ran with a lot of heart, and sometimes […]

Alan WattAugust 20, 2024
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

A Spark of Madness: The Secret Ingredient to Creative Brilliance

“You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.” – Robin Williams In the realm of creativity, there’s a […]

Alan WattJuly 16, 2024
Blog, Dilemma, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

Why Writers Should Embrace Doubt

Doubt exists in each of us much of the time. We are unsure about our futures, our relationships, our new tile in the bathroom, our car insurance, etc. Doubt is the cradle of conflict, both internal and external. In the heart of every character lives a dilemma. As you become curious about that dilemma, it will lead you to what is universal in your story.

Alan WattJune 29, 2024
Blog, Dilemma, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

Transformation

Story is the most powerful way we have to express ideas. We can actually see the journey that a human being takes […]

Alan WattJune 27, 2024
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Outline, Screenwriting

The Value of an Outline

What’s the point of an outline? Whether consciously or not, every writer is in search of a process. A lot of writers […]

Alan WattJune 23, 2024
Blog, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

Stepping Into Your True Power

What does it mean to trust yourself? It sounds like a good idea, but it is often a counter-intuitive process. It is […]

Alan WattMay 31, 2024
Blog, First-Time Novelist, Memoir, Novel / Fiction, Screenwriting

The Internet: A Writer’s Worst Distraction

Sometimes the deeper we get into our story, the more we seek distraction. The internet will suck the life out of any […]

Alan WattMay 18, 2024
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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
  • ⠀