Category: For Writers
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How to Create Characters in 60 Seconds
When you create great characters, they walk onto the page and make your story unforgettable. They can bring every scene to life. But creating characters takes tons of time and effort, doesn’t it? Not necessarily. I’m here to show you how you can create an impressively good character in 60 seconds or less. Sound…
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Introducing the Six-Figure Master Fiction Plot
Ever wish you could write a novel in just a matter of weeks . . . and then sell it for good money? Lester Dent did exactly that. In fact, he wrote his first novel in just thirteen days. You read that right. Thirteen days. Over the course of his career, he wrote nearly 200…
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Answered: Your Most Burning Questions About Editors
For every brilliant manuscript that grows into a best-selling novel, untold thousands of others get dumped into the recycle bin. What’s the crucial difference between them? Ask Jamie. Over the years, James Persichetti has seen more unpublished manuscripts cross his desk than most people could read in a lifetime. He started out at the incomparable…
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5 Most Inspiring Books for Writers
Did you resolve to finish your novel this year? I salute you. The bad news is that 80% of those who set New Year’s resolutions give up by the second week of February, according to U.S. News. So, right about . . . now. Need a little help staying inspired to write your novel? Here are…
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6 Best How-To Books for Writers
Countless best-selling authors have told me that in their early years, before they were published, they relentlessly studied the craft of writing. Consequently, I’ve had hundreds of writing books recommended to me. Here are the very best of them all, the books I always keep within arm’s reach of my writing desk. #1: Save the…
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8 Secrets to Pitching Your Novel Like a Pro
When it comes to publishing a novel, the actual writing is only half the battle. In order to get the attention of a publisher, you have to know how to “sell” your book. I think we can all agree that most writers are not natural-born sales professionals. So it’s easy to understand why the idea…
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Writers: Outline Your Novel the Incredibly Easy Way
Every day, I’m thankful to have the opportunity to write for a living. Seriously. Every single day. That’s why I share my tips and techniques to help aspiring writers navigate the pitfalls of the writing craft. One of my favorites is a method for outlining novels that is super simple, quick, and (dare I say) fun. Here…
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Talking monsters on Beyond the Trope podcast
Just in time for Halloween, Colorado’s best podcast for nerds had me on to talk about the secrets to creating bloodcurdling monsters, and other spooky fun. Direct Download | iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher Writers: Get a free copy of my workbook 7 Secrets of Writing Bloodcurdling Monsters when you subscribe to my author newsletter.
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Yours Truly rocks the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers podcast
True story: at the RMFW conference this year, I bumped into my good friend Mark Stevens, an award-winning author and host of the Rocky Mountain Writer podcast. Somehow, we got to talking about weird musical instruments. I’ve just started playing one of the weirdest of all, the theremin. It’s the original electronic instrument, one that…
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One Simple Trick to Write Everything Better
What if there was one single trick that could help you write better, faster, and easier than ever before? What if that trick could help you organize your thoughts, get started sooner, and finish every writing project, from a blog post to a novel? There is such a trick. And as a full-time writer, I…
LAURENCE MACNAUGHTON 