Elizabeth Spann Craig's Blog, page 37

Writing the Cozy Mystery: Quiet Beginnings

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I spend a lot of time reading blog posts and sharing them. I've noticed there are tons of posts on crafting better story openers. The posts usually talk about hooking readers quickly, drawing them into the action or the character. Agents and experienced writers share critiques of story beginnings and offer suggestions for making them shine.

This is also something that can be important in a cozy mystery, of course. No one wants a beginning that's stifled by exposition or backstory dumps or introducing an excessive number of characters at once.

And the opener of the first book in a cozy series needs special attention. Readers need to be introduced to the sleuth and hopefully drawn in by the sleuth's personality. The story world needs to be set up, as well as the series hook (crafts, cuisine, animals). Then there's a crime to be introduced. There's a lot to juggle in the first book of a cozy series.

But if you're writing a cozy mystery series, I think it's often preferable to start the story out a little differently.  That' s because you can start out with your idyllic, happy, safe…and, yes…cozy environment. You can start out with what's routine: what a normal day in your story world looks like. This doesn't have to go on for chapters–just a glimpse of happy normality and what's lost when someone dies in the close-knit community.  You wreck the idyll by introducing a murder and a subsequent investigation. Then, at the end of the story, you tidy it all up again and deliver that same sense of safety and reassurance. You can deliberately mirror the beginning and the ending to give an especially satisfying air to the story…that it's all been wrapped up and order and justice have prevailed. Janice Hardy has a nice post on mirroring.

That's not to say I haven't started books out with a body practically on page one, because I definitely have. But I often like to start out with my octogenarian sleuth and her senior sidekick quietly working on puzzles together and sipping coffee–before the knock on the door that jumpstarts everything.

That's my quick cozy writing tip of the day. :)  If you read or write cozies, is the quiet beginning something you've noticed, too? Are there other genres that use this approach?

Cozy Mysteries: The Quiet Beginning:
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Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 61,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

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The folks at The Story Grid site have generously offered to provide my blog readers with a free digital copy of  The Story Grid, written by publishing veteran Shawn Coyne. To grab your copy, head over here: https://storygrid.com/escraig/

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Want Powerful Conflict? Don’t Forget the Stakes

by Angela Ackerman, @AngelaAckerman

A common writing misconception is that conflict automatically means reader engagement. After all, story experts are always ringing the conflict bell (me included), telling writers to include lots of it to make sure things aren’t easy for your characters. And it’s true; we should have lots of meaningful conflict in the story to ensure they are challenged, stressed, and forced outside their comfort zone.

But conflict alone won’t pull your readers in.

Don’t mishear me–as a reader, I like fictional car chases, wedding sabotage, and homicidal maniacs at the bedroom window as much as the next person. But for the conflict craziness to really hit home, I need to know why it’s happening, and why it matters. In other words, something meaningful must be at stake to make me care.

Think about it this way. When bad things happen to bad people, how do you feel? Let’s say a pipe bursts at a neighbor’s house, the same guy who constantly complains to the homeowner association because he doesn’t like the rainbow flag flying over your deck. Or a restaurant that once gave you food poisoning is shut down by the health department. Other than a bit of schadenfreude, do you feel anything substantial? Is your day (or life) impacted in a relevant way?

But, when bad things happen to good people, that’s a different story. If your sister-in-law goes into labor far too early or your best friend is jailed because her wayward stepson is dealing drugs out of her basement, you don’t just shrug and move on. You’re making calls, trying to figure out what you can do, how to help. You’re invested because you care about the people involved and what’s happening to them.

Stakes Reveal What’s Most Important to the Character

For conflict to matter, something meaningful needs to be at stake: a painful cost incurred if your character fails to navigate the situation successfully. If the retired munitions expert doesn’t defuse the bomb in time, it goes off and kills a building full of people. Or if our henpecked heroine can’t stop her toxic family from running her life, she’ll forever lose the man she loves. When each new problem has a serious or else attached to it, the character must act, even when there’s danger or they are out of their depth. Their desire to avoid these negative consequences becomes a big part of their motivation for achieving their goal.

Stakes, like conflict, should show up in your story like a bumper crop of rotten apples, increasing tension and raising the cost of failure by the bushel. And while the goal is to create stakes so high the character can’t turn back—not even when she's staring down her deepest fears—the consequences of failure are up to you and how evil you’re feeling. To get you started, consider the categories below.

Far-Reaching Stakes, sometimes called public stakes, are those that include loss for others if the protagonist fails. If a bomb goes off, the protagonist may die, but so will everyone else in the building. And it goes beyond them too; loved ones standing anxiously behind the police tape will also be impacted. Maybe the city loses the distinction of being the safest in America. Maybe a cure for a disease is housed in a laboratory within the building, and it will be lost if the bomb goes off. Lots at stake.

Moral Stakes are in play when someone’s beliefs are at risk. Imagine a police officer being offered a bribe to overlook a crime. If he refuses, he holds true to his moral code and identity as an officer, but the powerful person offering the payoff will be sure to end his career. If he takes the bribe, he reaps a temporary reward but sacrifices his values and his identity. Moral stakes can cut both ways and have the added benefit of revealing some of your character’s deepest layers to readers.

Primal Stakes, also called death stakes, involve the death of something significant: innocence, a relationship, a career, dream, idea, belief, reputation, or a physical life. Death takes something important from the character, something that matters. And if it matters to your character—provided readers care about them—it will matter to them too.

Connect Stakes to your Character

Stakes should touch your character on some level, even in the case of far-reaching stakes. If there’s no reason the outcome really matters to the protagonist, he’s going to look at the task and think, Well, this isn’t my problem. We need him to believe it is his problem, otherwise why should he risk hardship, danger, and perhaps even death? So, we give him skin in the game by making things personal and endangering something or someone important to him.

Mixing together different types of stakes will not only make the problem at hand more interesting for readers, it makes the struggle over what to do more realistic. In the real world when a challenge or situation comes along that’s dire or threatening, we act. But far more often the problem we’re faced with requires more than instinct, and there are layers to the situation. We weigh and measure, making calculations over how to respond. For example, something might feel morally wrong to do, like tell a lie, but if it is for the greater good, we might do it. Or if lying might light a fuse to a relationship we care about, we might tell the truth even though it’s humiliating, dangerous, or costs us an opportunity we worked hard to secure. The point is, we look at all the angles to puzzle out what we should do next, and so our characters should, too.

The Final Piece: Making Readers Care about the Character

Stakes are a necessary part of effective conflict, but another crucial piece is the reader’s attachment to the character. If readers don’t care, they may be mildly curious as to whether the protagonist will succeed, but they won’t be invested in the outcome.

So how do we make readers care? Well, it goes beyond making a character likeable or talented; it really comes down to their inner landscape: their morals and values, vulnerabilities and wounds, their fears and needs. By chipping through our character’s tough exterior and revealing their inner thoughts, emotions, and desires, readers come to know them and identify with their struggles. They may share an insecurity. They may experience some of the same doubts. Maybe the character is torn between following a dream and pleasing others, something readers can relate to because they’ve sat in that chair before. These moments become emotional touchstones because readers can connect with what the character is facing and feeling. (Here’s a tool to help with deep-level brainstorming.)

Ultimately, what’s at risk for your character is the goal. But for writers, there’s risk, too. Readers will close the book if stakes are mismanaged, they don’t care about a character, or the conflict is too low. So, focus on drawing readers in. Work at getting your character's situation firmly into the heads of your readers. Embed an invisible hook so every time they put the book down, they’re thinking about what will happen next, how the character’s going to solve the problem, and what other forces might step in to complicate matters. Make your readers so emotionally involved that they fear for the character and don’t want anything to happen to them.

Need More Help with Conflict and Story Stakes?

 

The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles (Volume 1). It’s packed with ideas on how to apply meaningful conflict to reveal your character, challenge them, and keep the story tense and on track. It also digs into a plethora of conflict scenarios to help you plot fresh scenes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angela Ackerman is a writing coach, international speaker, and co-author of The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression and its many sequels. Her bestselling writing guides are available in eight languages, and are sourced by universities, recommended by agents and editors, and used by writers around the world. She’s also one half of the popular site, Writers Helping Writers, and co-founder of One Stop for Writers, a creativity portal loaded with one-of-a-kind tools, resources, and a Storyteller’s Roadmap that makes planning, writing, and revising a novel almost criminally easy.

 

 

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Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 61,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here.

News

Susan DeFreitas is offering a free webinar on fiction as an agent of change…on the power of storytelling to help, heal, and transform culture. For more information, visit  http://ow.ly/5zxG30rVmuY

 

Business / MiscellaneousWriting, Publishing, and Business Books for Indie Authors: @IndieAuthorALLIHow to Take Control of Your Writing Career: @NinaAmirShould MFA Programs Teach the Business of Writing? @JaneFriedmanSelf-publishing News: Will AI Audiobook Narration Take Voice Actors’ Jobs? @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLIFreelancing: 5 Things To Keep In Mind When On A Client Call: @ashleygainerThe Ultimate Ghostwriting Guide (For Clients & Writers): @officialajc @Writers_WriteHow Pre-orders benefit your favorite authors: by Erica Vetsch @SKRViLLConferences and Events / MiscellaneousRichard Charkin: Why I’m Attending Frankfurt Book Fair in Person: @rcharkin @pubperspectives‘The Spirit of the North of England' : The Portico Prize's Longlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesFrankfurter Buchmesse Welcomes 1,500 Exhibitors from 74 Nations: @Porter_Anderson @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesFrankfurt's Once and Future Guest of Honor : Canada on ‘Quite the Journey': @Porter_Anderson @CFbm2021 @GillyFizet @Book_Fair @pubperspectivesFor Banned Books Week: Tbilisi’s ‘Untamed Books’ Exhibition: @Porter_Anderson @IntPublishers @GvantsaJobava @KristennEinars1 @UNESCO @BannedBooksWeekCreativity and Inspiration / Careers in Writing and Day JobsTips on How to Write While Holding Down a Job: @GoIntoTheStoryCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationInspired Every Morning: @jamesscottbellCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersHumble Beginnings: 6 Stories of People Rising Above Circumstance: @BookTribFive Captivating SFF Mystery Novels: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomSeven Mysteries Filled with Families Members: @SCPerkinsWriter @CrimeReads7 Novels About Losing Faith in Religion: @mckinneykelsey @ElectricLitCreativity and Inspiration / MotivationHow to stay motivated when writing your novel: by Abby Parsons @cbcreativeCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingHow to Kill Your Inner Perfectionist and Write More: @PS_HoffmanWhat’s your best time of day to write? @pubcoach3 Steps to Make Time to Write: @KMazeauthorCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeHow to get back into writing: @pubcoachTry to separate process and outcomes: @NathanBransfordWant an Accountability Partner? 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Describe What Readers Won't Assume: @Janice_HardyWriting Craft / SubtextAdding Subtext to Your Writing – Another Layer to Baking a Novel: @AneMulligan @EdieMelsonWriting Tools / MiscellaneousVoice Technology, AI, and Other Important Tools for Authors: @bmetrock @IndieAuthorALLI

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Pros and Cons of Outlining

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I still think of myself as a very reluctant outliner. It's definitely my least-favorite part of the creative process. Brainstorming is fun, drafting is fun. Even editing can be very satisfying. But outlining? Not so much for me.

I started out as a pantser, making up my mysteries as I went along. I was, actually, pretty good at this. Then, one day, I ran right into a huge plot hole just a week or two before my deadline for Penguin. That was the last un-outlined book I've ever written.

I don't think outlining is an either/or proposition. I think there's room for a little middle ground. Even if you don't have a plan for your entire book, you could create a mini-outline for your next writing session…just a sentence or two giving you some direction when you pick up your project again.

Here are my thoughts on the pros and cons of the outlining process, as I see them.

Pros of Outlining

I write faster. Soo much faster.  That's because I don't even have to mull things over when I open my laptop: I just write whatever my outline tells me to write that day.

I don't have plot holes. My plot works because I've already tested it through a full outline.

I'm able to jump from series to series without having a hard time working on a series I haven't written in for months because everything is laid out for me.

Because I have a roadmap, I don't worry about the book very much as I'm writing it. I know the book will be finished and that everything in the story will work.

I get my covers done for the next book several months before I even begin drafting the story. After penning an outline, I write the back cover copy and the book designer goes off that.

After any sort of a break (like the one I took last December), it makes it much easier to dive back into the story.

Cons of Outlining

Time. It takes me about a week to fill out an outline for a project. My outline includes all the parts of a mystery, but also the subplots and what's happening to the secondary characters in the story.

For several books after I started outlining, I felt that my writing was a little flat or a little stilted, which had to be fixed in subsequent drafts. After getting better at following an outline, these problems disappeared.

Writing short. When I started following an outline, my writing got tighter and my books became shorter. Sometimes I do have to add more words in second drafts.

Less fun? I still really enjoy writing, but I do miss the days when I'd just make things up as I went along.

I've decided that outlining works better for me, despite the drawbacks. But I'm wondering what your writing process is like. Do you write the story organically, or do you outline?

Pros and Cons of Outlining:
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Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 61,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here.

Business / Miscellaneous10 Practical Tips for Growing Your Freelance Business: @RobynRosteFinancial Advice for the Freelancer: @HelloTheFuture @CatapultStoryThe Indie Author Business Cycle: From Start-Up to Mature Business: @OrnaRoss @thecreativepenn @IndieAuthorALLIThe Secret to Finding Writing Gigs That Actually Pay the Bills: @jessgood @CatapultStoryHow to Sell Books on Amazon With Pre-Order Strategies: @BookgalHook Your Readers with a Compelling Storyline, Tagline, and Back Cover Copy: @JodieRennerEd @killzoneauthorsThe creator economy: @DanBlankSelf-publishing News: KDP introduces hardbacks as Print Supply Chain Struggles: @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLIChecklist: Preparing to Send Your Manuscript to an Editor: @liamcarnahan @DaveChessonConferences and Events / MiscellaneousUS National Book Awards 2021 Longlist: Fiction: @Porter_Anderson @nationalbook @pubperspectivesThe German Book Prize's 2021 Shortlist : Six ‘Artistically Outstanding Novels': @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesFrankfurter Buchmesse’s Digital Programming: Tickets on Sale September 22: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @Book_FairUS National Book Awards 2021 Longlist: Nonfiction: @Porter_Anderson @nationalbook @pubperspectives5 Tips for Navigating Writing Events as an Extreme Introvert: by F.E. Choe @DIYMFASingapore’s Symposium Honors Translation Pioneers Yang and Chan: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUS National Book Awards 2021 Longlist: Poetry: @Porter_Anderson @nationalbook @pubperspectivesThe List of Finalists for the Ngaio Marsh Awards: @MargotKinbergBeijing International Book Fair: More Than Half Its Exhibitors From Overseas: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSouth Africa: SA Book Awards Announces 2021 Shortlists: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCanada’s $75,000 Cundill History Prize Announces Its 2021 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesThe 2021 Business Book of the Year Award Announces a Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesLondon Book Fair Delivers Its Lifetime Award to Margaret Busby: @rogertagholm @pubperspectivesA Panel of Mystery Authors with a Virtual Event Tomorrow: @MargotKinbergCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationFive Alternative Tips to Boost Creativity for Writers: @IndianaLee3 @DIYMFACreate a system – Work the system: by C.S. Boyack @StoryEmpireCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers9 Books About the Complexities of Identity: @rajivmohabir @ElectricLitCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingWriting On A Schedule: @writingandsuchCreativity and Inspiration / Writing Life8 irrational ways to improve productivity with writing: @pubcoachVisible Progress on Our Projects: @isekhmet @10minnovelistWriting and the Creative Life: The Joy of Running… Creatively Speaking: @GoIntoTheStoryGive Yourself Permission to Cross the Finish Line: @SueBEdwards @womenonwritingHow Women Fought Misogyny in the Underground Press in the 1960s: by Jeremy Guida @JSTORGetting to the Heart of Why You Write What You Write: @LiveWriteThriveOvercome Obstacles and Succeed: @WriteNowCoachChoose Your Own Adventure: @StoryADayMay @WriterUnboxedWhy Staring Into Space Is an Important Strategy for Success: @GoIntoTheStoryWriting while Languishing: How to be Creative when You’re Feeling ‘Blah’: @KelseyAllagood @WriterUnboxedDo you suffer from writing perfectionism? @pubcoachThe Parts They Don’t Tell You: @SSTaylorBooks @CareerAuthorsGenres / HorrorWhat Is A Slasher Horror? @aprilataylor @MandSMagazineGenres / MysteryLocal Governments in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergMysteries for Young Readers: @MargotKinbergThe Closed Circle Mystery: @lucyfoleytweets @thenovelryGenres / ScreenwritingAction Writing in a Screenplay: @GoIntoTheStoryHow do I know if it’s too much or too little scene description? @GoIntoTheStoryPromo / Book ReviewsThe Surprising Ways Book Reviews Can Help Launch Your Success: @BookgalA Semi-Comprehensive List of Horror Book Reviewers: by T.L. BodinePromo / MiscellaneousHow To Write a Logline: @thejkstudioAdding A+ Content to Your Amazon Book Pages: 5 Essential Marketing Strategies From Legendary Copywriter Claude C. Hopkins: @NicoleJBianchiSetting Up a First Book for Success: @MichaelLaRonn @OrnaRoss @IndieAuthorALLITraditional Publishing and Getting More Marketing Help: @KarenHWhiting @EdieMelsonGentle Book Marketing: @sarahsantacroce @thecreativepennPromo / PlatformsHow to Audit Your Author Platform in Five Easy Steps: @McFarlandAuthor @KillerNashvillePromo / PodcastsWhy Your Podcast Pitch Isn’t Working and What to Do Instead: by Patricia Durgin @A3writersPublishing / MiscellaneousNew books will be hard to come by for the rest of the year: @hopecolette @qzPRH Publisher Services to Distribute IDW Comics Internationally: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesAuthors: Want to Be a Bigger Fish? Try a Smaller Pond. Regional Fiction Sells! @annerallenPublishing / News / International PublishingPulling Together: IPA Opens the ‘Inspire’ Charter for Pandemic Response: @Porter_Anderson @IntPublishers @pubperspectivesCanada’s Indigenous Communities to Benefit from Emerald Pilot Project: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesWriting Craft / BeginningsWIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at Narrative Flow in an Opening Scene: @Janice_HardyHow to Start A Story: “The Ordinary World” Technique: @NicoleJBianchiWhere Do I Start My Story? by Oren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsWIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at Piquing Reader Interest on Page One: by Maria D'MarcoWriting Craft / Characters / Antagonists5 Famous Writers On Writing A Villain: @AnthonyEhlers @Writers_WriteWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentFinding your Character’s Blind Spot: @diannmills @KillerNashvilleFive Practical Exercises to Deepen Your Characters: by Sandrina de Klerk @KingdomPenMag11 Types of Characters in Fiction (And 4 Ways You can Use Them): @StoryHobbit @DaveChessonWhat’s Your Character’s Love Language? (And Why Does it Matter?): @allisinclair @onestop4writersTips to Help You Write Real Characters for Your Novel: @createastorylovTake Your Character to Coffee: @tickledpinktam @EdieMelsonCharacter Types: The Attention Seeker: @JoanHallWrites @StoryEmpireWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionWriting Complex Emotions In Deep POV: Shame: @LisaHallWilsonWriting Craft / Common MistakesSilence Is Golden in a Story: @nlholmesbooksWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmGreat Scene: “Get Out”: @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “Schindler’s List” (1993): @GoIntoTheStory5 Monsters in Need of Career Advice: @JeremyCShipp @tordotcomPage One: “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” (1989): @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Craft / MiscellaneousWhat’s an Idiot Plot? @cyallowitzHow to Create Authentic Children’s Voices in Fiction–and Hold an Adult Reader’s Interest: @gailaldwin @annerallenThe Inherent Nature of Story Structure: @jimdempsey @WriterUnboxedWhy Editing Matters and Simple Ways to Make Your Work Shine: @KristenLambTXHow To Tell If You’re Writing About The Wrong Character: @Writers_WriteHow to Fix Aimless, Boring Scenes: @KiingoCreative“Beginning. Middle. End.” @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Deaf Characters: Sensitivity Readers: @T_FrohockThe Psychological Subtext of the Call To Adventure: @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingHero's Journey 101: How to Use the Hero's Journey to Plot Your Story: @FaithlessMTG @ProWritingAidThe Basics of Plot for Writers: @CindyDevoted @EdieMelsonWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchHow to make your research more productive: @pubcoachWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Story ConceptHow To Turn A Good Idea Into A Good Story: @writingandsuchWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesFinding Critique Partners: @GGCWrites @GoodStoryCoWriting Craft / ScenesPlanning A Scene In A Story: @writingandsuchWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionWriting Character Descriptions that Hook Readers: @AngelaAckermanWriting Craft / TransitionsTips On Writing Time Skips: @writingandsuchWriting Tools / ResourcesResources for Writing The Mafia: @writingandsuchResources for Writing Injuries: @writingandsuch

 

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Adding A+ Content to Your Amazon Book Pages

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I do a good deal of shopping on Amazon and have found that items having the enhanced product description section (a photo and text collage) seem somehow more appealing. A lot of items in my order history have those enhanced product descriptions (what Amazon calls ‘A+ Content). Like the yard shoes below:

So of course I was interested when I learned that Amazon is now extending A+ Content to indie authors. In fact, I've already added it to my book pages there.

The process is easy enough, even for someone with little design ability. This is how I approached it:

First: 

Read the guidelines…Amazon's dos and don'ts.  They do have quite a few of them. One big takeaway is that you can't use customer reviews in your content, but you can use editorial reviews from well-known publications or people (if you have a blurb from a public figure, for instance).

To make the process easier: 

Make a list of your books' ASINs. I had mine separated by series.

Get the image requirements for the various modules and create your content on a service like Canva.

And, again, make sure you understand the guidelines first. Otherwise, your content will be rejected.

Look at examples from authors' book pages.  I've listed some later in this post.

Creating A+ Content: 

Sign into your KDP dashboard.

Click on the marketing tab.

Scroll down to A+ Content and choose a marketplace (I've started out with the US, although I need to extend my reach now)

Click “Manage A+ Content”

Click the blue “Start Creating A+ Content” button in the top-right

Name your content (I did it by series since some of my modules were different for different series) and “Add Module”

Choose the modules, or templates, that you want to use and upload your images to them.

Then click the blue “Apply ASINs” in the top-right.

Fortunately, for those of us with 18 books in a series, you can add more than one ASIN at a time. Unfortunately, the ASIN upload process seemed both slow and glitchy. Sometimes I had to save the draft, go back to the previous page, and then try again. When it works, you select which books you want the A+ Content for.

Click the blue “Review and Submit” button in the top-right.

It took about 3 business days for Amazon to approve my first application but only a day for them to approve my application for 2 other series.

Examples: 

Amazon listed author detail page examples here.

My newsletter from Reedsy showed a couple of examples…from a romance writer and a suspense writer:

 

I decided to feature a few interview questions and some reviews I had from publications. I tweaked the content between series, but you can get the idea from this:

I have to admit that, in terms of promo-related activities, this one didn't take too long and was oddly satisfying by the end.

Have you set up A+ Content on your book pages? Any tips that I've missed listing here?

 

Tips for setting up A+ Content for your books' Amazon pages:
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Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 61,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here.

Business / MiscellaneousFrom Self-Published Book To A Life-Changing Health Movement: @gin_stephens @thecreativepennSteer Your Writing Career: @FinishedPages @womenonwriting10 Quick Tips For Your Writer’s Resumé: @Bang2writeDo You Need A CRM Software As A Freelance Writer? @ashleygainerAudiobooks: Your Guide to the Fastest Growing Format: @ReedsyHQSelf-publishing News: Mailchimp Sold for $12billion: @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLIBooktok: how TikTok and Gen Z re-invented the book club: by Alex Bryson @PulsarPlatformWhat to Do When You’re Approached by an Overseas Publisher: @IndieAuthorALLIBook Contracts: Let’s Talk Money: @kate_mckean @CatapultStoryConferences and Events / Miscellaneous37th IBBY International Congress Held in Moscow and Online: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesJerusalem Book Forum Extends Birger Fellowship Deadline: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesThe UK’s Booker Prize for Fiction Names Its 2021 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson | Anuk Arudpragasam, Damon Galgut, @TriciaLockwood, @thesailorsgirl , Richard Powers, and @MaggieShipstead |@TheBookerPrizes @pubperspectivesUS National Book Awards 2021 Longlist: Translated Literature: @Porter_Anderson @nationalbook @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / First NovelsAdvice for Beginning Writers: by Amy Wilson @GoodStoryCoCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers7 Books to Generate Sad Serotonin: @eraustinauthor @ElectricLit7 Coming-of-Age Mysteries That Capture The Oddness of the Moment in Question: by Rachel Donohue @CrimeReadsGrim, Run-Down Towns in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinberg12 Books That Break the Rules of Point of View: by Sophie Stein @ElectricLitCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingHow To Develop Habit Hop-Ons: @10minnovelistCreating a Writing Routine…And Sticking With the Game Plan: @slawriter89Creativity and Inspiration / Writing Life13 Authors Redefining the Novel Without Being Obnoxious About It: @helpfulsnowman @LitReactor3 Things You Should Know Before You Publish Your Book: @losapalaInundated with Writing Advice: @AuthorSATThe Long and Winding Road of Writing a Novel: @KMazerov @WomenWritersInvestments and Returns in the Writing Life: @theljsharks @DIYMFAHow Agatha Christie Helped Popularize Surfing—Yes, Surfing: by Jim Kempton @CrimeReadsThe Importance of Persistence in a Writer’s Life: @GoIntoTheStory10 Tips to Stack Your Writing Mind’s Positivity Deck: by Bryan E. Robinson @KillerNashvilleTransitioning from nonfiction to fiction: @ReadAlessandra with Michael Paul HurdGenres / FantasyFantasy Inspired by Greek Mythology: @Emily_R_King @DIYMFAHow to Create Fantasy Villains: @Kellie_Doherty @FantasyFactionGenres / HorrorHow to Avoid Clichés When Writing Horror: @HorrorTreeGenres / MiscellaneousConsiderations When Choosing Your Niche Genre: @LiveWriteThriveThe Facts About Writing and Publishing in Multiple Genres: @BookEndsJessica @bookendslitGenres / MysteryDisappearances and Searches as Elements in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergGenres / Short StoriesHow to Turn Your Short Story into a Book: by Savannah Cordova @ReedsyHQ @shaylaleeraquelPromo / MiscellaneousEvery Author’s Four-Letter Word: #Mktg: @JanSikes3How to Create a Book Trailer with Book Brush – with Corey Alderin: @SelfPubFormHow to Build an ARC Review Team for your Book Launch: @DaveChesson @annerallenPromo / NewslettersWhat to Put in Your Author Newsletter: @inkbitspixelsPublishing / MiscellaneousStandard Book Sizes in Publishing: Which Should You Choose? @DaveChessonSaga Egmont Partners with the UK’s Muswell and Violet Gaze Presses: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesHow Marginalized Authors Are Transforming Gothic Fiction: @KalynnBayron @tordotcomTips for Growing a Wattpad Audience: @dkparsonswriter @SelfPubFormPublishing / News / International PublishingBook Aid International: Back to School Reading for 290,883: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @Book_AidSurvey: Canadians Say They’re Reading More Diverse Books: @Porter_Anderson | @pubperspectivesAudiobooks in Russia: Storytel and LitRes Cite Rising Interest: by Eugene Gerden @pubperspectivesGermany Honors Its ‘Most Beautiful Regional Book': @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBeijing International Book Fair Now Open, After COVID-19 Delay: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCanada's Kids Can Press Opens a ‘Black Write' Incubator with Nelvana: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSourcebooks’ International Rights and Sales: A Booster from Bloom Books: @Porter_Anderson @Sourcebooks @pubperspectivesRights Roundup: Quick Sales for a Vietnamese Conservationist and Her Sun Bear: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Self-PublishingInspirational Indie Author Interview. Phil Simon: The Future of Indie Publishing Is All About Collaboration: @Howard_Lovy @philsimon @IndieAuthorALLIPublishing / Process / Legalities“Why and How I Got My Rights Back from HarperCollins”: @annabdavid @JaneFriedmanPublishing / Process / Services to AvoidAdelaide Books: A Watchdog Advisory: @JohnDoppler @IndieAuthorALLIWriting Craft / Characters / ArcFour Easy Ways to Choose the Most Impactful Character Arc for Your Story: by Jodi Clark @KingdomPenMagArchetypal Character Arcs: How to Use Archetypal Character Arcs in Your Stories: @KMWeilandWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentHow to Create Characters Your Reader Cares About: @PeggySueWells @EdieMelsonCharacter Motivation: Tips And Tricks: @KMAllan_writerWriting Craft / Common MistakesShowing vs. Telling: @TheRyanLanzFive Fiction Faux Pas: @AndreaMerrellWriting Craft / Dialogue3 Quick Fixes for Your Dialogue: @jessicastrawser @CareerAuthorsMastering the Art of of Writing Dialogue: @SarahSallyHamer @EdieMelsonWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmGreat Scene: “Double Indemnity”: @GoIntoTheStorySix Twists That Hurt the Story: by Oren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsPage One: “Pleasantville” (1998): @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “Prometheus” (2012): @GoIntoTheStoryGreat Scene: “Fight Club”: @GoIntoTheStoryScript To Screen: “Up”: @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “Saving Private Ryan” (1998): @GoIntoTheStoryCan you edit like Jane Austen? @pubcoachWriting Craft / Literary DevicesWhat's Story Tone? @KiingoCreativeWriting Craft / MiscellaneousGetting Specific With Details: @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthorsWhat is Plot Armor? @cyallowitz5 Story Structures to Use in Your Writing: @themaltesetigerPhysical Journeys in Fiction: @SophieMasson1 @WriterUnboxedWriting believable scenes in your novel: @ReadAlessandraAccents: A How (not) To: @FionaQuinnBooksTackling Subplots: @writingandsuchWriting Our Country: @DavidCorbett_CA @WriterUnboxedFive Simple Ways to Make Your Prose Easier to Read: by Chris Winkle @mythcreantsWriting Craft / PacingOn Pacing: Faster than the Speed of Thought: @DonMaass @WriterUnboxedWriting Craft / POVCan I Conceal Information in a First-Person Viewpoint? by Oren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsWriting Craft / Punctuation and GrammarWhich Is Correct: Everyday or Every Day? @mindofkyleam @ProWritingAidWriting Craft / RevisionNext Steps for Rewriting Your Novel: @LindasclareWriting Craft / Revisions / Critiques6 types of story feedback and what to do with each: by Michael BjorkBeta Readers, It’s About the Book – Not You: @mrsgiannoccaro @TheRyanLanzWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionHow Much Detail Do You Need In A Novel? @MiaJouBotha @Writers_WriteFood sensuality in fiction: @DevonEllington @TheWriterMagWriting Craft / SynopsesThe Dreaded Synopsis: A Few Tips: by Mandy Miller @RMFWritersWriting Craft / World-BuildingStory World Concepts: @KiingoCreativeUncategorizedFind Your Topic, Not Your Voice: @CatBaabMuguira @JaneFriedman

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5 Story Structures to Use in Your Writing

by John Kerr, @themaltesetiger

Let's talk about regrets. We all have them, right? For me, it was not realizing how important structure was to my writing life. I used to start stories or essays at random. Sometimes I'd type them out on my phone, sometimes I'd grab my laptop. I would save every document in a different place. Sometimes I'd write in the morning, sometimes I would write at night.

Do you know what that got me?

A bunch of unfinished writing projects!

But then I found a structure- get up every day at 5 am, write and edit for one to two hours, have specific daily goals, then go to work. That structure is what grew my blog, the Art of Narrative, from a few hundred monthly visitors to a few thousand. And, trust me, a good structure will transform your writing life as well. You just have to find one!

But, structure isn't just about finding time to write. A helpful story structure can unlock the mysteries of story-telling. Structures get you from a vague story idea to a completed narrative with engaging characters and an exciting plot.

Rather than creating cookie-cutter narratives, story structure will give you the freedom to be creative. A story structure will guide the decisions you make about your plot, characters, and theme. And, a good structure will unleash your creative potential!

Lucky for all of us, there are plenty of story structures to choose from! So, let's talk about five structures you can use to write your next story!

The Hero's Journey

If you're just starting out on your writer's journey, then the hero's journey is probably your best option when it comes to story structure.

Why do I say that? Because the hero's journey is one of the more detailed structures out there. That's why most Hollywood blockbusters follow the hero's journey structure pretty closely. The hero's journey is a well-worn and successful story design.

Your tale will have an engaging plot and a solid character arc for your protagonist by following the hero's journey. That's why I used this structure when I wrote my book, The Story Writing Workbook, designed to help beginning writers complete their first story!

Let's break down the hero's journey a bit. I'm not going to talk about the entire structure because it's twelve stages, and that's a whole article on its own. I have a blog post covering the journey in full if you're interested over at the artofnarrative.com. But, here's a quick rundown:

hero is presented in their everyday world inciting event calls the hero to act hero is fearful and refuses to act hero meets mentor hero leaves home hero is tested/ makes friends & enemies hero makes plans plans fail/ hero loses something important hero gains something valuable her recovers from loss hero sacrifices/ triumphs hero returns home victorious

Obviously, there's a lot more to it than that. In fact, In my workbook, I spend an entire chapter on each stage. But, as great as the hero's journey is, it's not the only way to tell a story. There are even genre-specific structures like the one we'll talk about next.

Monster in a House

Screenwriter, and author of Save the Cat, Blake Snyder, coined the phrase Monster in the House to describe a typical structure of many horror films and stories. This structure is broken down into three essential points.

A monster: a character that is evil and possesses other-worldly strength or power.The House: an enclosed space that traps the characters with the beast.A sin: an action by one or more characters that brought the Monster into the House.

Now, let's look at a practical example of the Monster in the House structure through the lens of the 1979 classic horror film, Alien.

The Monster- a ferocious and bloodthirsty alien, born on a mysterious planet.

The House- the Nostromo, a commercial space vessel and her seven-member crew on a deep-space journey, far from Earth.

The Sin- Ash, a secret android, programmed by the Corporate owners of the Nostromo to bring the alien back to Earth.

The Monster in the House is a beautiful structure if your goal is to build tension, convey a theme, and scare the pants off your reader.

Cinderella Story

This is just one of several structures made famous by author Kurt Vonnegut. The Cinderella Story is one of eight structures that Vonnegut called the “shapes of stories.” If you'd like to learn about all eight, here is a clip of Vonnegut describing each of them. But, we'll only discuss this one because Vonnegut described the Cinderella story as the most popular story shape in Western culture.

Here's how the Cinderella Story operates according to Vonnegut:

(By the way, you probably already guessed this structure is based on the classic fairy tale of the same name.)

The character starts at their lowest possible point. Something terrible has happened to them that they've never recovered from.

Ex. Cinderella suffers her mother's death, and her father marries a terrible woman with three equally awful daughters.

The character experiences incremental good fortune that lifts them from their low station.

Ex. Cinderella meets a fairy godmother who gives her a dress, makeup, and a carriage to travel to the royal ball. At the ball, she dances with the handsome prince. 

The character loses all of that good fortune in a single moment and drops to almost their lowest point.

Ex. The clock strikes midnight, and the fairy godmother's magic disappears. Cinderella returns to her every day, terrible, life but she'll remember the night of the ball forever.

The character regains all of their good fortune and lives happily ever after.

Ex. The prince finds Cinderella, the glass slipper fits, and they are married.

That might be the most popular story structure in Western culture, but let's talk about a form from Eastern culture.

The Four-Act Story

The Four-Act structure is usually described as originating in Japan or Korea. Although the structure's history stretches far into the past, it is used to this day in many manga and anime stories.

Now, as a person who has lived in the U.S. their entire life, I can't completely describe the four-act structure to you. The truth is, I lack the cultural context needed to be considered an expert. I will break down the four parts of this structure, but please watch this video to better understand the four-part story structure.

The 4 Part Structure

Step 1: set up your story

Step 2: expand on your premise and develop characters

Step 3: introduce a twist that completely upends your premise

Step 4: conclude your story; resolution and conflict aren't required though

Dramatic Structure

This is the one we all learned about in school. The dramatic structure breaks down into five acts; think of any Shakespeare play you read in high school. Here are the five acts of dramatic structure:

Exposition: this is setup, where the audience gets to know characters, settings, and a hint of the coming conflict.

Rising Action: the story starts to pick up here. Characters encounter conflicts that slowly increase the tension of the story and lead to the climax.

Climax: the story's turning point and the highest point of tension in the narrative.

Denouement: closes all its arcs, and the conflict is resolved.

Those are just a few of the countless story structures that are out there for the budding writer to use. I encourage you to find the structure that fits your style and one that you are comfortable using.

Or, if you're brave enough, you can write with no structure at all! That's totally fine. What's most important is that you sit down and write just about every freaking day!

Good luck with your next story!

About the author:

 

Hi! I'm John Kerr, and I'm a writer and a teacher. You can find most of my work over at my blog, The Art of Narrative, where I write instructional posts on fiction, poetry, and non-fiction prose. Recently I launched my first ebook, The Story Writing Workbook. The Story Writing Workbook is a step-by-step guide designed to help writers craft their stories.

You can follow me on Twitter @themaltesetiger,

Or sign up for my newsletter, and get a free chapter download of my workbook!

I've also just launched the Art of Narrative Podcast, and I would love for you to check it out!

 

 

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Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 61,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

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Business / MiscellaneousBefore Narrating a Novel: Audiobook Production Tips: @tara_k_ross @A3writersCopy Editing: The Complete Guide: @DaveChessonLine Editing: Definition and Examples: @DaveChessonSelf-publishing News: Salman Rushdie Turns to Substack: @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLIQR Code Generator for Authors: @DaveChessonInteractive Storytelling Opportunities for Authors, With Amy Stapleton: @chatables @IndieAuthorALLIConferences and Events / MiscellaneousWarsaw Book Fair Returns in Physical Rendition, September 9 to 12: @jaroslawadamows @pubperspectivesBritish Academy Book Prize Announces Its 2021 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @BritishAcademy_ @pubperspectivesThis Week's Reykjavík International Literary Festival : ‘Cozy Venues': @Porter_Anderson @LitRvk @pubperspectivesThe UK's International Booker Prize Announces a New Juror: @Porter_Anderson @VivGroskop @pubperspectivesIndustry Notes: A Digital Charles Clark Memorial Lecture: September 29: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSusanna Clarke Is Named Winner of the 2021 Women’s Prize for Fiction: @Porter_Anderson @WomensPrize @BloomsburyBooks @CubaPictures @TheCBG @pubperspectivesNonfiction: The UK’s £50,000 Baillie Gifford Prize 2021 Longlist: @Porter_Anderson @BGPrize @praddenkeefe @_TharikHussain @calflyn @Arifa_Akbar Harald Jähner @pubperspectivesNancy Pearl Is National Book Foundation’s 2021 Literarian Award Recipient: @Porter_Anderson | @Nancy_Pearl @nationalbook @pubperspectivesConferences and Events / NaNoWriMoHow to Win Nano with a 40-Hour Work Week: @HelloImbea @NaNoWriMoCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersExamples of Characters Being “Pushed Too Far” in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergFamous Fashion Designers as Elements in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergFive Great Movies Based on Patricia Highsmith Books (That Aren't the Ripley Adaptations): @TTafelski @CrimeReads6 Stories That Find Drama in Utopian Settings: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer's Block4 Copywriting Templates That Will Help You Beat Writer’s Block: @NicoleJBianchiProcrastination vs. Real Writing Crisis: How to Tell the Difference: @colleen_m_story @onestop4writersCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writing QuicklyStrange Methods: Michael Moorcock's 3-Day Novel: @TheLincolnCreativity and Inspiration / Writing Life4 Reasons to Wait Before Moving On With Your Manuscript: @KathrynR47 @TheRyanLanzWhich writers have the best tombstone inscriptions? @prepartynap @lithubNoticing Small Details as a Writer: by Robin Moyer @wvancampFive Ways to Unlock Memories When Writing from Your Life: @eLizMarcus @DIYMFADo You Read Your Reviews on Amazon? @hopeclarkHow to be an Everyday Star: Lessons From 4 Famous Authors: @RuthHarrisBooks5 Times It’s Okay to Write Just for Fun: @colleen_m_story @TheIWSGThe Pulp Writer’s Mindset: @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthorsThe Conscious Writer: Taking Back Your Creative Power: @LisaPoissoBecoming a Writer: Calibrating the Work Against the Pleasure: by Pam Valois @WomenWritersStory and the Question of Self-Identity: @GoIntoTheStoryA Story Journal Experiment: @AnneJanzerImportant Rules for Writing — Or Not? @Peter_Rey_6 Things to Avoid When Creating a Writing Habit: @radekpazdera @shaylaleeraquelTales of marginalia: @austinkleonThe Golden Years of Writing: by Linda LaneGenres / Middle-GradeChapter Book Legend Debbie Dadey: @DebbieDadey @Write4KidsGenres / MiscellaneousTips On Writing Travel Memoirs That Every Writer Should Know: by Manas Patil @TheRyanLanzGenres / MysteryHandling High Profile Cases in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergCrime Fiction: What Makes The Suburbs So Terrifying? by Aggie Blum Thompson @CrimeReadsUncertainty as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergGenres / Picture BooksStory or Illustrations, Which Comes First? @KarenCVPromo / Book ReviewsHow To Write A Good Book Review – The Amazon Review: from Self-Publishing ReviewPromo / Miscellaneous6 Tips for Your Social Media Book Marketing Plan: @BookgalUnique Author Branding and Content Ideas Using September Observances: @BookgalPromo / NewslettersHow to Get More Email Subscribers: @RobynRostePromo / Social Media TipsThe rise of BookTok: meet the teen influencers pushing books up the charts: @alisonflood @GuardianBooksPublishing / MiscellaneousAhead of COP26: Elsevier Joins the 2040 Climate Pledge: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRights Roundup: Thrillers by Women, and Garden Travels: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesExact Editions Partners with IPA and Save the Children on a COP26 Showcase: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @IntPublishersHow to Create and Publish an Audiobook with ACX: @claytonnoblit @WrittenWordMAmazon Popularity Effect: How Amazon Treats Book Discoverability: @DaveChessonInclusivity in Indie Publishing: A Guide for Authors: @IndieAuthorALLIUniversity Presses Review the ‘Books for Understanding' Prompted by 9/11: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingGermany’s First Half of 2021: Ebook Dynamics, and Libraries: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSouth Korea-Based Webtoon Announces a DC Comics Partnership: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesThe 2021 Ottaway: India’s Seagull Books Founder Naveen Kishore: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Self-PublishingHow much does it cost to self-publish? That depends: @Roz_MorrisPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / Querying10 Mistakes Authors Make When Receiving an Offer of Representation: @BookEndsJessicaHow to Write a Query Letter: 3 Paragraphs That Hook a Literary Agent: by Abigail Perry @StoryGrid @write_practicePublishing / Process / ISBNsWhat Is An ISBN? 11 Facts For Self-Publishing Authors: @DaveChessonPublishing / Process / Legalities5 Tips for Authors When Negotiating their Author Agreements: @PerryLiterary @annerallenWriting Craft / BeginningsHow To Introduce a Character in a Novel: by Katie Khan @thenovelryWriting Craft / Characters / AntagonistsSeven Ways to Add Complexity to Your Villain: by Jodi Clark @KingdomPenMagDeveloping Your Villain: @stacitroilo @StoryEmpireWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentRelationship Thesaurus Entry: Nanny and Child: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersExploring a Character’s Past Wound: by Tasha SeegmillerTips on Character Consistency: @writingandsuchWriting Craft / Common MistakesThe Number One Way to Alienate Your Readers: @ZenaDellLowe @EdieMelsonWriting Craft / DialogueHow to Write Dialogue (for Introverts): @StoryGridHow to Write Dialogue Accurately: @JodieRennerEdWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmLessons From Three Bad Fight Scenes: by Oren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsGreat Scene: “Broadcast News”: @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “Ordinary People” (1980): @GoIntoTheStoryGreat Scene: “Star Wars: Episode V: @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012): @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Craft / Literary DevicesThe Stimulation of Similes: @Shutta @FloridaWriters1Writing Craft / MiscellaneousImprove the Clarity of Your Writing: by Hayley Milliman @ProWritingAid @DIYMFAHow To Engage The Reader: @writingandsuchHow to Write Good Fiction: 4 Foundational Skills and How to Build Them: @JDEdwinAuthorBad Things and Good Characters: by Marilynn ByerlyUnderstanding Horses: Chasing Cows and Other Pursuits: @dancinghorse @tordotcomSkip the boring parts: @austinkleonWriting Craft / PacingWriting the Somehow: Pacing and Characters’ Changes: @LindasclareWriting Craft / POVFirst vs Third Person Point of View: What Makes Sense for Your Story? by Nicole Harms @BryanJCollinsWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingPlot Archetypes: @KiingoCreativeThe Pixar Storytelling Formula: An Inside Look: @mrisqueNonviolence and the Hero’s Duel: @GErtsgaard @sfwaWorking with a Three-Act Structure: @MorganHzlwoodWriting Craft / Word Crafting8 Words for Walking that have Surprising Origins: @GrammarGirlWriting Tools / Apps9 Reasons Scrivener Will Save Your Novel: @KathrynR47Writing Tools / ResourcesUseful Writing Resources: @writingandsuch

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