Building a Novel Table of Contents

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Abstract

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            <h2>I Got My Story’s Genre Wrong. Twice.</h2>
            <div><h3>And how Save the Cat Writes a Young Adult Novel helped me solve it</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><figure id="b2eb"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*uHdI2-zpXpbnwzMvCNp-Aw.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><h1 id="1553">Plot</h1><div id="0384" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/molding-your-first-chapter-into-a-preview-of-the-whole-book-52a4b0e00d82">
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            <h2>Molding Your First Chapter into a Preview of the Whole Book</h2>
            <div><h3>Using the principle of miniatures for tight, intriguing storytelling that holds up on a re-read</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/crafting-emotions-with-arcs-and-dominoes-57f0506d3189">
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            <h2>Crafting Emotions with Arcs and Dominoes</h2>
            <div><h3>Using feelings to lead a character toward change</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/writing-for-the-re-reader-easter-eggs-12aa01f6b56f">
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            <h2>Writing for the Re-Reader: Easter Eggs</h2>
            <div><h3>Leaving clues that don’t feel like clues</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><div id="0b4a" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/writing-for-the-re-reader-indirect-foreshadowing-f569d8ab11a6">
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            <h2>Writing for the Re-Reader: Indirect Foreshadowing</h2>
            <div><h3>Packing your novel with layers for a reader to uncover</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/what-do-beauty-and-the-beast-hamilton-and-frozen-have-in-common-92528dfa8569">
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            <h2>Three Case Studies in Changing Your Mind When Writing</h2>
            <div><h3>The rewrites of Beauty and the Beast, Hamilton, and Frozen</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/what-i-learned-about-writing-watching-painting-time-lapses-480076734c3f">
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            <h2>What I Learned about Writing Watching Painting Time Lapses</h2>
            <div><h3>The magic happens after you’re 80% done</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/four-levels-of-adapting-public-domain-works-9839c6e4611e">
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            <h2>Four Levels of Adapting Public Domain Works</h2>
            <div><h3>How can you take public domain and make it your own?</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/write-with-me-much-ado-about-agency-20f4a8fa780">
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            <h2>Write With Me: Much Ado about Agency</h2>
            <div><h3>Adapting a classic for modern conventions</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*ctw8-7qwk5gWZyHc)"></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/preptober-what-is-a-beat-sheet-21eaef28874d">
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            <h2>Preptober: What Is a Beat Sheet?</h2>
            <div><h3>A series on structure</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/preptober-save-the-cat-for-beginners-f9570519c987">
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            <h2>Preptober: Save the Cat for Beginners</h2>
            <div><h3>A series on structure</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/save-the-cat-writes-a-ya-novel-a-review-5c643eec1772">
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            <h2>Save the Cat Writes a YA Novel: A Review</h2>
            <div><h3>Is it worth it if you have the original? What if you don’t?</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/preptober-gwen-hayes-romancing-the-beat-7d5b63956796">
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            <h2>Preptober: Gwen Hayes’ Romancing the Beat</h2>
            <div><h3>A series on structure</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/preptober-much-ado-about-subplots-3dba732e71dd">
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            <h2>Preptober: Much Ado about Subplots</h2>
            <div><h3>What are they? Do you need to plan them? How do they relate?</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/when-writing-rules-get-in-the-way-of-a-good-story-706c8d6489d8">
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            <h2>When Writing Rules Get in the Way of a Good Story</h2>
            <div><h3>Case studies in too much of a good thing</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/workshop-2-trying-on-plots-383ab46e2830">
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            <h2>Workshop 2: Trying on Plots</h2>
            <div><h3>An experiment in decision making when editing a novel</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/two-kinds-of-midpoint-crafting-a-compelling-trajectory-for-your-story-cdf1510da7b1">
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            <h2>Two Kinds of Midpoint: Crafting a Compelling Trajectory for Your Story</h2>
            <div><h3>Whether the midpoint is victory or defeat can serve as a guidepost for the whole middle</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/edit-with-me-structure-as-shortcut-ebf6e362efd9">
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            <h2>Edit with Me: Structure as Shortcut</h2>
            <div><h3>How I used chiasm to solve a missing piece</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><figure id="8852"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*uHdI2-zpXpbnwzMvCNp-Aw.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><h1 id="1500">Character</h1><div id="532a" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/creating-characters-in-concert-9c1a1ad906c3">
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            <h2>Creating Characters in Concert</h2>
            <div><h3>Designing the characters around your protagonist to contribute to their growth</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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      <a href="https://readmedium.com/using-character-to-create-a-world-f02c62359e80">
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            <h2>Using Character to Create a World</h2>
            <div><h3>A worldbuilding technique from John Truby</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><div id="2614" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/creating-depth-in-your-story-world-2e908bfddb7b">
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            <h2>Creating Depth in Your Story World</h2>
            <div><h3>Make it feel like your characters are talking to each other, not you</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><div id="6581" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/write-with-me-much-ado-about-agency-20f4a8fa780">
        <div>
          <div>
            <h2>Write With Me: Much Ado about Agency</h2>
            <div><h3>Adapting a classic for modern conventions</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
          </div>
          <div>
            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*ctw8-7qwk5gWZyHc)"></div>
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      </a>
    </div><div id="76a4" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/preptober-beyond-questionnaires-the-four-aspects-of-character-you-must-know-before-writing-a-8b521f289e1e">
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            <h2>Preptober: Beyond Questionna

Options

ires — The Four Aspects of Character You Must Know Before Writing a…</h2> <div><h3>How to craft characters intentionally</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*qtS5NypsDjgL_LHA)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="9f55" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/workshop-3-character-flaws-in-a-flat-arc-10d7ae187a64"> <div> <div> <h2>Workshop 3: Character Flaws in a Flat Arc</h2> <div><h3>Avoiding a Mary Sue when rebuilding a character</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*pFPAR-l418PbicQ7)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="a1c1" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/whats-the-worst-that-could-happen-is-a-misguided-story-question-1eaa0245c35a"> <div> <div> <h2>What’s the Worst that Could Happen Is a Misguided Story Question</h2> <div><h3>What to ask instead</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*bpmw7F59_KYhthiW)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="d397" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-emperors-new-groove-a-case-study-in-unlikable-characters-c87f9d86b07a"> <div> <div> <h2>The Emperor's New Groove: A Case Study in Unlikable Characters</h2> <div><h3>The three techniques Disney used to make us root for Kuzco</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*TBQ9DwEBnVVlFiOQMBtlVw.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="66fd" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-dangers-of-creating-likable-characters-d68c72e5678f"> <div> <div> <h2>The Dangers of Creating Likable Characters</h2> <div><h3>Why likability should never be your focus when writing</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*Fa7qyT_F-pha5Q-M)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h1 id="09f5">Setting</h1><div id="0113" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/using-character-to-create-a-world-f02c62359e80"> <div> <div> <h2>Using Character to Create a World</h2> <div><h3>A worldbuilding technique from John Truby</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*XkWXVKSGdKzQya-h)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><figure id="7ffb"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*uHdI2-zpXpbnwzMvCNp-Aw.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><h1 id="8fea">Dialogue</h1><div id="fda7" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/realistic-dialogue-isnt-a-matter-of-transcription-c14d2a7b640f"> <div> <div> <h2>Realistic Dialogue Isn’t a Matter of Transcription</h2> <div><h3>How to make dialogue that feels real</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*uG8aHoHzCQ8P2wXN)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="d134" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/add-tension-and-believability-with-contradiction-e7536d5e1e0f"> <div> <div> <h2>Add Tension and Believability with Contradiction</h2> <div><h3>Build honesty with what your characters don’t say</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*-9u3HpciZP5ODwZw)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="f194" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/writing-for-the-re-reader-callbacks-b33561aac476"> <div> <div> <h2>Writing for the Re-Reader: Callbacks</h2> <div><h3>Or, why the simplest phrases illicit the biggest emotional responses</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*-PUQOZpVawf4ACeq)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="3a72" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/when-writing-rules-get-in-the-way-of-a-good-story-706c8d6489d8"> <div> <div> <h2>When Writing Rules Get in the Way of a Good Story</h2> <div><h3>Case studies in too much of a good thing</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*Jy1Z6oaAKkY04Nn9)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><figure id="7568"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*uHdI2-zpXpbnwzMvCNp-Aw.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><h1 id="3f56">Writing for the Re-reader</h1><div id="64a3" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/creating-a-revision-plan-c6b23fc0ce73"> <div> <div> <h2>Creating a Revision Plan</h2> <div><h3>How I break down “revise a novel” into manageable steps</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*zFXBuTaA2kT52-l_hIlE7Q.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="5ba3" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/breaking-the-barrier-to-entry-for-revision-narrow-your-focus-9a0cfedc3beb"> <div> <div> <h2>Breaking the Barrier to Entry for Revision: Narrow Your Focus</h2> <div><h3>Why the first part of any round of revision is, for me, a list of don’ts</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*iBAZtUBtx0O2GKW6)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="793f" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/molding-your-first-chapter-into-a-preview-of-the-whole-book-52a4b0e00d82"> <div> <div> <h2>Molding Your First Chapter into a Preview of the Whole Book</h2> <div><h3>Using the principle of miniatures for tight, intriguing storytelling that holds up on a re-read</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*CgpgjEDraCv2iSNb)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="4d6e" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/writing-for-the-re-reader-callbacks-b33561aac476"> <div> <div> <h2>Writing for the Re-Reader: Callbacks</h2> <div><h3>Or, why the simplest phrases illicit the biggest emotional responses</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*-PUQOZpVawf4ACeq)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="d99b" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/writing-for-the-re-reader-easter-eggs-12aa01f6b56f"> <div> <div> <h2>Writing for the Re-Reader: Easter Eggs</h2> <div><h3>Leaving clues that don’t feel like clues</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*DJogsJla9--YBZGg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="dbdf" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/writing-for-the-re-reader-indirect-foreshadowing-f569d8ab11a6"> <div> <div> <h2>Writing for the Re-Reader: Indirect Foreshadowing</h2> <div><h3>Packing your novel with layers for a reader to uncover</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*BqlHenzj7SWwjdqx)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h1 id="ebb6">Line Editing</h1><div id="d658" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/when-writing-rules-get-in-the-way-of-a-good-story-706c8d6489d8"> <div> <div> <h2>When Writing Rules Get in the Way of a Good Story</h2> <div><h3>Case studies in too much of a good thing</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*Jy1Z6oaAKkY04Nn9)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="ddbc" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/taylor-swift-is-a-mastermind-at-subtext-2ab217099c94"> <div> <div> <h2>Taylor Swift Is a Mastermind at Subtext</h2> <div><h3>You can be, too</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*nncnzJSSBafzATY4rw8IWg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><figure id="63cf"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*uHdI2-zpXpbnwzMvCNp-Aw.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><h1 id="8742">Editing Examples</h1><div id="a3c0" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/manuscript-evaluation-part-1-cbaa49f9bdfa"> <div> <div> <h2>Manuscript Evaluation: Part 1</h2> <div><h3>How does an editor provide feedback on a book?</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*cc_vp2-knU5_ZYWm)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="b1fb" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/manuscript-evaluation-part-2-dd10e5ea7bef"> <div> <div> <h2>Manuscript Evaluation: Part 2</h2> <div><h3>How does an editor provide feedback on a book?</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*171VR07M04E5d1Mb)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><figure id="730e"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*uHdI2-zpXpbnwzMvCNp-Aw.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><p id="ab88">Each of these articles is part of Medium’s Partner Program. Consider joining Medium with <a href="https://medium.com/@rochelledeans/membership">my referral link</a> to get full access to not only this publication, but every article on Medium. Using my referral link doesn’t cost you anything, but half of the fee goes directly to supporting me each month.</p><div id="28d3" class="link-block"> <a href="https://medium.com/@rochelledeans/membership"> <div> <div> <h2>Join Medium with my referral link — Rochelle Deans</h2> <div><h3>Read every story from Rochelle Deans (and thousands of other writers on Medium). Your membership fee directly supports…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*cdwnG2NVre6ywq8J)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

Building a Novel Table of Contents

Looking for something specific? I have links by topic here

Contents

Writing Routines

Daily Writing Plans

The routine that helps me meet my writing goals

Creating a Revision Plan

How I break down “revise a novel” into manageable steps

Pre-Writing

Writing a Novel Is Not Like Painting by Numbers

Books aren’t written word by word in order — so where do you start?

You Should Outline Your Book (But Outlining Might Not Mean What You Think)

Lessons from visual art to apply to writing a novel

When Planning a Story, Knowing Your Starting Point Is as Vital as Your Destination

It’s less spontaneous, but you’ll end up where you want to go

Breaking the Barrier to Entry for Revision: Narrow Your Focus

Why the first part of any round of revision is, for me, a list of don’ts

Is It Too Early to Prepare for NaNoWriMo?

Rule number 1 of NaNo: There are no rules

Creating Depth in Your Story World

Make it feel like your characters are talking to each other, not you

Four Levels of Adapting Public Domain Works

How can you take public domain and make it your own?

Preptober: How to Brainstorm

What do you actually need to write 50,000 words in a month?

Preptober: There’s No Such Thing as a Bad Idea

Letting go of your ego and learning to tell a story

Preptober: The Challenges of Your Premise

Why you should figure out what will make this story hard to write before you write it

Preptober: Beyond Questionnaires — The Four Aspects of Character You Must Know Before Writing a…

How to craft characters intentionally

Preptober: What Is a Beat Sheet?

A series on structure

Preptober: Save the Cat for Beginners

A series on structure

Preptober: Gwen Hayes’ Romancing the Beat

A series on structure

Preptober: Much Ado about Subplots

What are they? Do you need to plan them? How do they relate?

Are You Ready to Start Writing?

Planning your non-negotiables for a draft

Save the Cat Writes a YA Novel: A Review

Is it worth it if you have the original? What if you don’t?

You Wrote a Book (Draft). Now What?

How to approach your book after spending time away from it

I Got My Story’s Genre Wrong. Twice.

And how Save the Cat Writes a Young Adult Novel helped me solve it

Plot

Molding Your First Chapter into a Preview of the Whole Book

Using the principle of miniatures for tight, intriguing storytelling that holds up on a re-read

Crafting Emotions with Arcs and Dominoes

Using feelings to lead a character toward change

Writing for the Re-Reader: Easter Eggs

Leaving clues that don’t feel like clues

Writing for the Re-Reader: Indirect Foreshadowing

Packing your novel with layers for a reader to uncover

Three Case Studies in Changing Your Mind When Writing

The rewrites of Beauty and the Beast, Hamilton, and Frozen

What I Learned about Writing Watching Painting Time Lapses

The magic happens after you’re 80% done

Four Levels of Adapting Public Domain Works

How can you take public domain and make it your own?

Write With Me: Much Ado about Agency

Adapting a classic for modern conventions

Preptober: What Is a Beat Sheet?

A series on structure

Preptober: Save the Cat for Beginners

A series on structure

Save the Cat Writes a YA Novel: A Review

Is it worth it if you have the original? What if you don’t?

Preptober: Gwen Hayes’ Romancing the Beat

A series on structure

Preptober: Much Ado about Subplots

What are they? Do you need to plan them? How do they relate?

When Writing Rules Get in the Way of a Good Story

Case studies in too much of a good thing

Workshop 2: Trying on Plots

An experiment in decision making when editing a novel

Two Kinds of Midpoint: Crafting a Compelling Trajectory for Your Story

Whether the midpoint is victory or defeat can serve as a guidepost for the whole middle