Writing Resources and Tools

Most popular posts

Someone measuring a piece of leather on a marketing board to visualize the question of "book outline: where do I start"

Book Outline: Where Do I Start?

Transform your draft with a book outline. Learn 5 proven methods to map your character’s journey, master story structure, and...
Image depicting the lightness and ease of how to become a better writer, a multifaceted question that starts with planning and goes through organizing your work and eventually making it easier to give yourself the permission to write

How to Become a Better Writer

How to become a better writer? Establish a consistent routine that prioritizes showing up. Practice, rest, and refill your creative...
Window with a frosted glass filter on it that stops the viewer from seeing the beautiful outdoors

Filtering

Filtering will disengage any good reader. Experiment with your sentences and you can cut down on this bad habit to...
Someone reading a book in nature on fire, a suggestion that without proper management a work can burn up in the hands of a beta reader.

Beta Readers: Finding Trusted Insight for Your Work

Beta readers help writers feel safe to fall deeper into their work. Balance the proximity that your beta readers might...
A trail between many hills and a lone runner, the solitude in the journey of writing mirrored by the solace that screenplay structure--presented as a trail--provides

Screenplay Structure

Screenplay structure allows a writer to investigate their characters and theme and get to the heart of where they exist...

How to Sell Your Screenplay

Selling your screenplay is a battle of outreach, portfolio, and simplicity. Learn how to balance your professional expectations with the...
Why Writers Get Stuck
Blog
Alan Watt

Why Writers Get Stuck

Einstein says, “You cannot solve a problem at the same level of consciousness that created the problem.” Writers often get stuck because

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One Thing Readers Hate
Blog
Alan Watt

One Thing Readers Hate

One thing readers hate are coincidences. Sure, coincidences occur in our lives every day, but in a story, they are generally a

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Making Time to Write
Blog
Alan Watt

Making Time to Write

  If you’re writing your first novel, you’re probably wondering how other writers ever make the time to write. We’re all busy.

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Recent posts

Stepping Into Your True Power

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....

The Internet: A Writer's Worst Distraction

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...

Dealing with Fear

First-Time Novelists: Dealing with Fear

Many authors share a similar fear: “What will people think?” It looks slightly different for each writer. What will my...

The Necessity of an Outline

The Necessity of an Outline

“The outline is 95% of the book. Then I sit down to write, and that’s the easy part.” – Jefferey...

Tuscany 2024

Why We Go on Retreat

  For years, my students had been asking me when I was going to take them on a retreat. Frankly,...

Why Writers Get Stuck

Why Writers Get Stuck

Einstein says, “You cannot solve a problem at the same level of consciousness that created the problem.” Writers often get...

One Thing Readers Hate

One Thing Readers Hate

One thing readers hate are coincidences. Sure, coincidences occur in our lives every day, but in a story, they are...

Take Risks - Advice for First-Time Writers

Take Risks – Advice for First-Time Writers

“In order to share one’s true brilliance one initially has to risk looking like a fool.” – Criss Jami Writing...

Setting a Plan with Purpose

Setting a Plan with Purpose

Do you often find it hard to stick to your writing plan? How often do “important tasks” distract you and...

Finishing Your Story - 5 Tips to Get You to the End

Finishing Your Story: 5 Tips to Get You to the End

For all you writers struggling somewhere in the middle of your manuscript, here are five tips to get you to...

Setting a Daily Word Count

Setting a Daily Word Count

Here’s some advice for first time writers on setting a daily word count. Consistency is the key. Set a writing...

Writing Despite Fear of Criticism

Writing Despite Fear of Criticism

In 2017, Gustavo Dudamel became the youngest conductor of a major orchestra of his time. I remember an L.A. Times...

Your Writing Process is Valid

Your Writing Process is Valid

Every writer has their own way of working, a process that has to be developed and honed over many years....

Ten Suggestions for Writing

Ten Suggestions for Writing

Below are ten writing suggestions for anyone who is setting out to craft a novel, memoir, or screenplay. Some are...

How to Become a First-Time Author

How to Become a First-Time Author

The journey to becoming a first-time author is different for everyone. For me, it involved letting go of the idea...

How to Write Your First Novel

How to Write Your First Novel

Writing your first book might actually be fun. I’m serious. I know you’re terrified. It’s a scary thing to do....

Ten Signs of a Good Writing Instructor

Ten Signs of a Good Writing Instructor

  Choosing a writing instructor is a big decision. They are not all created equal. Here are some guidelines and...

Making Time to Write

Making Time to Write

  If you’re writing your first novel, you’re probably wondering how other writers ever make the time to write. We’re...