How to Outline a Dramatic Opening
Structurally, a dramatic opening functions as a hook. Emotionally, it needs to do more than just attract attention. When an opening scene […]
How to Write a Novel: Step by Step
“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” – W. Somerset Maugham There may be […]
What I Need to Write
Dorland Mountain Arts Colony is a tranquil retreat for writers, artists, and musicians in the mountains of Temecula, California. The first time […]
How to Start a Story: Crafting Openings That Captivate
In the best stories, the reader’s attention keeps in sync with the rhythm of the prose. It’s like a snowball rolling down […]
Round Characters: Techniques to Create Depth in Character Arcs
If you’ve ever fallen in love with a character who jumped off the page and felt so alive that you missed them […]
Theme in Literature Explained (With Examples & Tips)
Theme is a mysterious and often misunderstood term. Simply put, a theme is a unifying or dominant idea explored in a work […]
How to Start Writing a Book: The No-Fluff Starter Guide
Welcome! And congratulations! If you’re reading this, you are about to begin a creative journey that can bring satisfaction and a deepening […]
What is a Thematic Statement? Examples and Writing Strategies
Your story’s thematic statement is the central argument that drives your narrative. Writers sometimes obsess over their plot to the point that […]
How to Write Dialogue that Sounds Authentic
Writing dialogue can be intimidating, even for the most experienced writers. Sometimes the words feel clumsy and unnatural, or we find ourselves […]
Mastering the Three-Act Structure for Stronger Stories
In his book, Poetics, Aristotle laid the foundation for story structure by stating that all stories must have a beginning, middle, and […]
The Snowflake Method of Outlining
Writing a story can sometimes seem overwhelming. Think of your favorite books. You can tell when a writer has put a great […]
Storyline: Marrying Plot to Theme
Every screenplay is built around a single invisible force that holds everything together. You may not notice it on first viewing, but […]
Backstory: What to Reveal and When
Backstory includes all the events from your characters’ pasts, details about their origins, plus any essential background information necessary to advance the […]
story structure ebook
a free guide to outlining your story master your outline “Alan’s method stretched my imagination to no limit and helped me evolve […]
The Writing Process: Learning to Trust the Work
Writing is an act of magic. Out of thin air you’ve conjured something and put it onto the page. People come up […]
The Tragic Hero Explained: Aristotle to Modern Fiction
Tragic heroes are like a falling star, burning, hurtling to their doom, but are a sight to behold all the same. They […]