Plot Consultant

Recommit to NaNoWriMo & Achieve Your Writing Goals for 2017

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We are quickly approaching the middle of November. This is the time for you to recommit to NaNoWriMo & achieve your writing goals for 2017. The Halfway Point of a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay  By now is the time your protagonist begins to falter her enthusiasm in the quest wanes her belief in herself to go the distance to achieve her goals weakens You may be feeling exactly the same way I'm spending way too much time away from my family, my work, the outside world what …

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Buried Beneath the Action: A Transformational Consultation

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As writers we're always looking beneath the action for meaning about what we're writing. In plot consultations, I help writers look into their characters' hearts. Pinpoint goals. When appropriate, imagine how character's emotional backstory wounds influence their motivation and choices. Explore thematic details in scenes. Determine what all the action adds up to. Imagine connections that weren't there before. In a transformational consultation, I do the same thing. Only, rather than studying the …

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A Paradigm Shift Ending

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When I teach plot, I like to begin with the Triumphant Climax. I emphasize the end early-on because endings don't usually receive the time and attention they deserve. Yes, beginnings hook readers. Endings create fans. They also have the potential to emotionally impact a reader's life. A Paradigm Shift Ending Some people believe there are no new stories. I revise that to say no new plots. Today, stories revolve around conflict between the protagonist and antagonists intent on keeping her from …

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5 Tips to Refine Your Novel, Memoir, Screenplay

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You've written your novel, memoir, screenplay all the way through to the end. You've rewritten. You've revised, and rewritten again, (and perhaps again and again and again...). The final step before sending out your story is refinement. Warning: following all 5 tips to refine your novel, memoir, screenplay at the same time you're doing the final rewrite can be a lot to juggle. Refinement Refinement comes only after you've written several drafts revised solidified the plot, structure, …

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I’m Embarrassed to Leave Out My Plot Planner

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When a writer comes up with a new story idea, I recommend you do 2 things: Start writing Set up a Plot Planner and begin plotting how the story ends Start Writing Start writing so you capture all the excitement and passion and promise that comes with undertaking a new creative project. Until you write all the way to the end you don't really know what your story is all about. Might as well get started writing right away.   Create a Plot Planner At the same time, set up a …

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