Category Archives: Story Structure
The Six Stages of Your Hero’s Character Arc
It’s always special when a past Resident Writing Coach returns to the blog, so help me welcome C.S. Lakin who is opening up discussion on a powerful topic: Character Arc. I am a big fan of Michael Hauge’s 6-Stage Plot … Continue reading
How to Write an Effective Scene with One Stop for Writers’ Formal Scene Map
When it comes to story structure, writers seem to fall into one of three camps: they love it, hate it, or are completely confused by the many iterations of it. With this third group, it’s understandable. Are there 3 Acts, … Continue reading
How to Tell If Your Story Needs a Resolution
One of the last things you’ll consider for a story is whether to write a resolution. This short sequence of scenes (or a single scene) after the climax can conclude secondary storylines, offer a glimpse into the protagonist’s new life, … Continue reading
The 10 Key Scenes You Need to Frame Up Your Novel
Happy to welcome our editor and friend C.S. Lakin to the blog for a special post on story structure. Please read on! “How do I write a great novel?” This is probably THE question every aspiring novelist has asked . . . … Continue reading
Writing to the Beat: Translating Story Beats to Any Genre
Readers of my blog know I’m a big fan of beat sheets, even creating a beat sheet for romance stories. Because of that, writers ask me what beats they should include in their mystery, thriller, or *insert any genre here* … Continue reading
The Efficient Writer: Using Timelines to Organize Story Details
FACT: when we sit down to write a novel, most of us already have almost a book’s worth of notes tucked away in computer files, stored in writing apps, scribbled on notepads, or stuffed into the coffee-glazed ridges of our … Continue reading
Want to Write Romance? Layer Your Scenes for Success
When I began considering writing a romance novel, I asked some of my romance author friends about structure. I had no idea that romance novels, across the board, followed a basic structure that differed in many ways from traditional novel … Continue reading
Happy Holidays: Our Most Popular 2016 Posts For Writers
It’s that time of year where Becca and I sneak off to the liquor cabinet for some adult beverages to drink some rich hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire so we can enjoy some family togetherness and reflect … Continue reading
How Character Attributes and Flaws Work Within Character Arc
Like real people, characters have mixed personalities that contain both positive traits (attributes) and negative traits (flaws). Flaws are especially interesting as they develop when a person has experienced a painful life lesson: the world, and the people in it, … Continue reading
Mastering the Art of the Cliffhanger Chapter Ending
People are always talking about how important it is to keep the reader interested. Retain their interest. Keep them turning pages all the way until the end. One way to do this, I keep hearing, is though the cliffhanger chapter … Continue reading