LAURENCE MACNAUGHTON

Category: For Writers

  • New for 2013: Instant Plot – FREE ebook!

    Hate outlining? You’re not alone. Whether you’re plotting your novel, creating an outline or writing a synopsis, you need this FREE ebook. Find out how to take charge of your plot, avoid the dumbest plotting mistakes, spot the warning signs of a dead-end story and master the core principles of dramatic structure.Just by answering a…

  • How to Write A Novel a Year

    Think you don’t have time to write? You’re probably right. Between a day job, a family and all of the obligations of modern life, the goal of finishing a novel is clearly impossible. Much less writing a novel every year. And yet, though common sense tells you no, the truth is that you can do…

  • The Surprising Secret to Snappy Scenes

    Got a scene in your novel where a group of characters argue and discuss, but no matter how important the subject is, somehow the tension falls flat? You can fix this scene, and I’ll tell you the trick right up front: get rid of some of your characters. Why? 

  • This Saturday: Instant Plot – Plan Out Your Novel the Easy Way

    Hate outlining? You’re not alone. Tomorrow (9/8/12), I’ll be teaching Instant Plot at the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers conference. Here’s what’s in store: 

  • Don’t Kill Your Pitch: 5 Ways You Might Be Sabotaging Your Story

    Nervous about pitching your work to an editor or literary agent? Just avoid these five deal-breaking mistakes and you’ll put yourself well ahead of the competition. 

  • How to Keep Readers Turning Pages: 3 Things You Must Do

    Q: I’ve got a basic plot planned out for my novel, but I’m worried about being repetitive, because the story is about doing the same thing several times (the main character has a list of people he needs to “off”). Do you know of any way to pull off a plot like that without boring…

  • The Best Writing Tool You’re Not Using

    Writing a novel on a typewriter? Hard. Finishing your novel by any means possible? Smart! Are you stuck in the middle of your novel? Do you keep going back to “fix” things in your story? Believe it or not, you might need a typewriter. 

  • The #1 Secret to Finding Time to Write

    “We live and die by the clock.” –William Broyles Jr. Too bad he didn’t have the Datexx Miracle Cube Timer. Want to get more writing done this week? Just follow this one simple trick. It works every time, no matter what you’re writing or how busy your schedule is. 

  • Bronte Sisters Power Dolls

    Writing a book is serious work. Literary icons with kung-fu action grip… not so serious. Enjoy! P.S. You can also watch the Bronte Sisters Power Dolls here.

  • Instant Plot: How to Plan Out Your Novel the Easy Way

    Do you love free stuff? Do you love to write? Me too! That’s why I’m teaching an absolutely free writing class this Saturday. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one.