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How To Write Shop

Articles on the craft and business of writing

Plotting

Not a plotter? Your answer? Goal Motivation Conflict.

March 14, 2011 by Lori Devoti 12 Comments
Goal motivation conflict writing plotting a book

A while back Kathy Steffen and I taught a great group of writers from the Romance Writers of New Zealand what I consider to be the very first step in writing any book—nailing the Goal, Motivation, and Conflict of your main characters. (Also known as GMC: Goal Motivation Conflict) If you follow this blog, you may … [Read more…]

Posted in: Plotting, Writing Craft Tagged: charaters, conflict, goal, motivation, plotting

So, You Want To Write a Romance Novel? Or do you?

March 4, 2011 by Lori Devoti 3 Comments
how to write a romance novel

A lot of writers hear that romance is the number one selling genre and with that in mind decide they want to write a romance novel. Let me start by saying I think that is a horrible reason to want to write a romance novel and one that is laden with possibilities for failure. Romance … [Read more…]

Posted in: By Genre, Plotting, Romance Tagged: how to write a romance, plotting, romance

Writing a Page Turner: What’s the Big Idea?

February 7, 2011 by Kathy Steffen 7 Comments
Writing a Page Turner

Writing a page-turning novel is so much more than planning plot twists and fast-moving action. A page-turning novel begins with an idea that is so compelling it draws a reader in from the first word and never lets go. So where do you start when thinking about writing your page-turning novel?

Posted in: Pacing, Plotting, Writing Tips Tagged: creative writing exercises, inspiration, page turning novel

Character Motivation to Drive Your Plot

December 13, 2010 by Kathy Steffen 2 Comments
character motivation goals

Character motivation gives your character the power to drive his story, but a properly motivated character will also take your writing far beyond plot. Character Motivation, the Why Do you ever watch a movie and scream in frustration at the screen, thinking why are you doing that? You idiotic character, that makes no sense! The … [Read more…]

Posted in: Characters, Plotting, Writing Craft Tagged: character development, character motivation

Video Sunday: The Narrative Quest

December 12, 2010 by HowToWriteShop Leave a Comment

The hero’s journey is a classic story structure that seems to be embedded in all of us. This video gives examples of the narrative quest from movies, myths, and literature. It’s worth a view, especially if the hero’s journey and narrative quest structure is new to you as a writer.  

Posted in: Plotting Tagged: hero's journey, quest, video
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Featured Book

The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
by Christopher Vogler

The Writer’s Journey explores the relationship between mythology and storytelling in a clear, concise style.

Want help plotting great stories that grab readers?

The Writer’s Journey is on our MUST read list.

Get at Amazon

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