alan watt on writing

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Characters drawn on papers suggest that character sheets are physical illustrations that offer details that just characterize something

Character Sheet Template: The Secret Tool for Creating Unforgettable Characters

A character sheet template can be the difference between a character who feels real on the page and one who...

Sage archetype visualized here by a swami with a book in hand, statue, portrayal of ethos

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...

Women wearing stylish hats in a New York City exterior street, one in partial shadow to suggest a mystique and a thrill to avoiding wearing too many hats as a screenwriter

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...

Advice on writing memoir from authors depicted by eight people standing at a beach in sunset, looking at the horizon

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,...

A messy, unfocused mix of paints suggests that revising vs. editing must be clearly defined to work reasonably in the scope of a piece of writing

Revising vs. Editing: Why Mixing Them Up Is Costing More Than You Think

You might be wondering, Aren’t revising and editing the same thing? They’re not. There’s actually an important distinction.  Let’s say...

A woman reading a book wistfully in fall foliage to represent Memoir writing prompts

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...

Book Editing

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Revising vs. Editing: Why Mixing Them Up Is Costing More Than You Think
Book Editing

Revising vs. Editing: Why Mixing Them Up Is Costing More Than You Think

Copy Editing
Book Editing

Copy Editing

Proofreading Marks
Book Editing

Proofreading Marks

Proofreading
Book Editing

Proofreading

Constructive Criticism
Book Editing

Constructive Criticism

Book Outline

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Pacing in Writing
Book Outline

Pacing in Writing

What Makes a Good Story? The Four Elements
Book Outline

What Makes a Good Story? The Four Elements

Character Outline
Book Outline

Character Outline

Book Outline: Where Do I Start?
Book Outline

Book Outline: Where Do I Start?

The Pantser Method: Writing Without an Outline
Book Outline

The Pantser Method: Writing Without an Outline

Character Development

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Character Sheet Template: The Secret Tool for Creating Unforgettable Characters
Character Development

Character Sheet Template: The Secret Tool for Creating Unforgettable Characters

The Sage Archetype: The Gift and Burden of Knowing 
Character Development

The Sage Archetype: The Gift and Burden of Knowing 

Character Development
Character Development

Character Development

Character vs. Technology Conflict
Character Development

Character vs. Technology Conflict

The Omniscient Narrator: Balancing What to Tell and When
Character Development

The Omniscient Narrator: Balancing What to Tell and When

How to Publish a Book

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How to Write a Query Letter
How to Publish a Book

How to Write a Query Letter

How to Self-Publish a Book
How to Publish a Book

How to Self-Publish a Book

Literary Agents: Steps to Securing Representation
How to Publish a Book

Literary Agents: Steps to Securing Representation

Book Cover Design
How to Publish a Book

Book Cover Design

A Writer’s Guide to Amazon Author Central 
How to Publish a Book

A Writer’s Guide to Amazon Author Central 

How to Write a Memoir

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Advice from Authors on Writing Memoir – 8 Helpful Hints
How to Write a Memoir

Advice from Authors on Writing Memoir – 8 Helpful Hints

Memoir Writing Prompts to Help You Find the Real Story
How to Write a Memoir

Memoir Writing Prompts to Help You Find the Real Story

Memoir Ideas: Finding the Story Only You Can Tell
How to Write a Memoir

Memoir Ideas: Finding the Story Only You Can Tell

6-Word Memoir
How to Write a Memoir

6-Word Memoir

How to Write a Memoir: From First Draft to Lasting Impact
How to Write a Memoir

How to Write a Memoir: From First Draft to Lasting Impact

How to Write a Screenplay

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Wearing Too Many Hats: Understanding the Screenwriter’s Role
How to Write a Screenplay

Wearing Too Many Hats: Understanding the Screenwriter’s Role

“Too Many Hats” — Why Your Screenplay Loses Focus
How to Write a Screenplay

“Too Many Hats” — Why Your Screenplay Loses Focus

What is a Screenplay?
How to Write a Screenplay

What is a Screenplay?

How to Outline a Screenplay
How to Write a Screenplay

How to Outline a Screenplay

What is a Short Film?
How to Write a Screenplay

What is a Short Film?

The Writing Process

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Writing Memes: Why Writers Love Sharing Them (And What They Secretly Teach Us)
The Writing Process

Writing Memes: Why Writers Love Sharing Them (And What They Secretly Teach Us)

Blitzkrieg Writing: How to Outrun Your Inner Critic  
The Writing Process

Blitzkrieg Writing: How to Outrun Your Inner Critic  

Overcoming Procrastination: How to Get Out of Your Own Way
The Writing Process

Overcoming Procrastination: How to Get Out of Your Own Way

Writing Goals
The Writing Process

Writing Goals

Ways to Describe a Voice
The Writing Process

Ways to Describe a Voice

Writers on Writing

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Trust Your Wild Imagination
Writers on Writing

Trust Your Wild Imagination

Writing Short-Form Articles for Substack
Writers on Writing

Writing Short-Form Articles for Substack

Unmoored: My Search for Meaning
Writers on Writing

Unmoored: My Search for Meaning

Follow the Dog: On Persistence and Self-Trust
Writers on Writing

Follow the Dog: On Persistence and Self-Trust

4 Tips for Writing a Novel
Writers on Writing

4 Tips for Writing a Novel

Writing Resources and Tools

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