For a long time now, Becca and I have wanted a way to acknowledge the people who have helped us develop into stronger writers and who add to the writing community as a whole. As a new feature here at The Bookshelf Muse, Becca and I will take turns giving well-deserved recognition to some of the people who really make an impact…people who truly are Writing Heroes.
Today I’m celebrating the incredible Martha Alderson (AKA The Plot Whisperer)!
Martha is the complete PLOT package for writers. Not only does she have an amazing blog (Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers) with a TON of excellent articles and resources, she is also the mastermind behind PlotWriMo (a plot-fest during the month of December), Blockbuster Plots for Writers & has a dedicated You Tube channel which looks at step-by-step planning to Plot a Novel (or screenplay, memoir, etc.) This series is so incredibly helpful for anyone looking to build strong novel structure! She tackles everything in this 27 video plot smorgasbord: thematic tension, conflict resolution, turning points, protagonist & antagonist development, setting, sub-plots and more. It is a MUST-WATCH!
Martha is E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E, running fantastic workshops on plotting, speaking at conferences and hosting incredibly helpful retreats for writers. She’s also the author of The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Story Structure Any Writer Can Master, and Blockbuster Plots. She loves to teach and it shows, and she has mentored thousands of writers and screenwriters along the way. Did I mention we have the same agent? We do!
This is really only an overview of the AWESOME-THAT-IS-MARTHA. I strongly recommend you check out these links to really see how she can help you with your writing, just like I did. Don’t forget to sign up for her e-zine on Plot Tips, too.
Thank you Martha for being one of my WRITING HEROES. So much work has gone into your websites and your vlog series…it boggles the mind. You inspire me and I appreciate all you do! 🙂
To pay it forward, I will give a 1000-word critique to Martha. She can then choose to keep it for herself or offer it as a giveaway on her blog, twitter, FB, etc! As a resident writing hero, she will also have a permanent link in our header.
So tell me Musers…do you know The Plot Whisperer? Has she helped you or your writing in some way? Please tell us in the comments and help celebrate this amazing WRITING HERO!
Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.
Pk Hrezo says
So glad you’ve spotlighted her! She is such a breath of fresh air. A true Writing Hero!
Karennina says
I watched each of Martha’s videos on plotting, and worked on my novel using each step. I can’t even begin to tell you what I learned not just about plotting, but about character arc, goals, emotion and theme! My WIP is so much stronger because of her. Thank you, Martha!
Sarah Phillips Pellet says
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Highland Lakes Country Club says
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Deb Marshall says
LOVE her. I’ve worked through her plot series on YouTube, have her book, follow her on twitter. YAY for you featuring all that is awesome about her!
Ghenet Myrthil says
I just recently discovered her 27 plot videos (and posted about them on my blog last week!) and now I want to get her book. I love plotting and her tips are really helpful. 🙂
Coleen Patrick says
I read the Plot Whisperer–it was great! So helpful 🙂
Sherrey says
I know the Plot Whisperer through her latest book, and I “worship” her gift of teaching! She has opened new avenues for writers everywhere. So pleased you honored Martha today.
Karen Lange says
I love this idea! I’d not heard of Martha, so I need to check out her book. 🙂 Thanks for the intro!
Angela Ackerman says
It’s a pleasure to feature you here, Martha! You help so many writers and we all want you to know how much this is appreciated. Writing is such a hard yet worthy pursuit, and it’s people like you who make the journey a lot smoother! 🙂
Sheri M Cook says
Big fan! She is a perfect choice for hero!!
Shari Green says
Martha’s videos are fantastic! Yay for Martha! 🙂
Lisa Gail Green says
Hooray! Congrats to Martha. *throws bacon confetti*
Traci Kenworth says
Another writing hero to follow. I just learned of her work recently but I didn’t know her blog address or anything, so thanks for the shares!!
Bonnee Crawford says
I am now following her blog, thank you 😀
Leslie Rose says
I am a TOTAL Plot Whisperer fan. I’ve watched the videos and even used them in my classroom. I just bought the book and can’t wait to adorn it with post-its and highlighting.
Plot Whisperer says
Dear Angela,
Thank you for your kind and generous words! What an honor. Truly. I’m touched.
I’ve just this week moved my 92-year old mother & blogger into her new home next door to us and have been out of touch.
Jill kindly sent me this link and I just now spotted a bunch of tweets about your post.
You bring me back to my passion and help remind me of who I am beyond daughter… Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I wish for you every secret dream comes true. You deserve all the very best. Thank you again. And thanks to all your followers for their kind words, too! What a wonderful community of writers you have!
Happy plotting,
martha
aka
plot whisperer
Carrie Butler says
The Plot Whisperer really is everywhere! What a great woman to feature! 🙂
Jan Rider Newman says
What a good idea for posting. Martha sounds like a writer who is worth reading.
Melinda S. Collins says
Congratulations, Martha!!! I follow your blog and I actually just picked up a copy of your book the other day!
Thank you, Angela, for spotlighting such a resource mecca’o’plotting!
Becca Puglisi says
I’m so excited to see Martha featured here. I’m still working on my plotting and I can’t wait to see what she’s got to teach me before I revise my next book.
Becca @ The Bookshelf Muse
inluvwithwords says
I’d always been intimidated by plotting until I discovered The Plot Whisperer’s YouTube series. Martha is a wonderful teacher!
Michael Horvath says
Great shout out!
Stina Lindenblatt says
Too funny! I just finished reading The Plot Whisperer today. Ask me the same question in a few weeks. 😀
Andrea Mack says
I’ve watched so many of Martha’s YouTube videos. How awesome that she made these available to us. They’ve helped me through some of my plotting problems!
DEMETRA BRODSKY says
She is fantastic!
Angela Ackerman says
I love her vlogging series on plot and all her great articles on plotting. It’s such a massive topic, a critical element to get right in fiction. I love plotting, I love the layers to it, and I am always ready to learn more. 🙂
Thanks everyone for all the comments. 🙂
mooderino says
I’ve watched all 27 episodes of Martha’s series on Youtube. Well worth a gander.
mood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
The Funnily Enough
Rosie Pova says
Yes, I really did like her Youtube Plot series.
Laura Pauling says
I think I’ve watched almost all her videos! Tremendously worth your time. She has a very natural easy going way on camera that is a pleasure to watch!
Great pick!
Laura Diamond says
Lovely! I’ll have to check this out! 🙂
Rachna Chhabria says
I have heard a lot about The Plot Whisperer and Martha. I am looking forward to reading her book.
Nicole Zoltack says
Going to check out Martha’s blog right now.
Matthew MacNish says
I thought I knew everyone. Apparently not.
E. Arroyo says
Yes! I haven’t purchased the book yet but I watched all the videos online. Awesome. Thank you!
Angela Felsted says
*Yay, Martha!
Angela Felsted says
Yeah Martha! Until I read your blog I knew nothing about her, but she does absolutely sound like a writing hero.