L. MacNaughton's Blog, page 4

Never Suffer Writer’s Block Again

Have you ever sat down to write, and found that everything you wrote seemed terrible? Every writer has felt that way, at one time or another. Here’s the uncomfortable truth about those critical thoughts: they can actually help you become a better writer. But only if you know how to recognize those thoughts for what […]

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 impossible? […]

Book Signing with Molly Tanzer at BookBar

A little over a year ago, I did one of my favorite book events of all time. I joined New York Times bestselling author Carrie Vaughn and the fabulous J.L. Forrest at the BookBar. It’s a bookstore. And a bar. Brilliant. The place was packed. People were having a great time. Everything was so completely […]

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 […]

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 Over the years, James Persichetti has seen more unpublished manuscripts cross his desk than most people could read in a lifetime.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 […]

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 […]

Have yourself a very merry doomsday!

Do you know someone on your “Nice” list who would like to receive an autographed Dru Jasper book as a gift? I’m signing and sending out one of each book, and you can help me pick the winners! Just contact me and tell me the name of the person you’d like to give a book […]

6 Best How-To Books for Writers

Need a gift idea for the writer in your life? Or yourself? Here’s a roundup of the absolute best how-to books for writers. These books hold the storytelling secrets you need to to structure your novel, create better characters, and get your book finished. Check it out on Fiction University.

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 […]

The real life inspiration behind No Sleep till Doomsday

Perhaps the most popular character in my Dru Jasper series is Hellbringer, a black 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona that is literally possessed by a speed demon. In my new book, No Sleep till Doomsday, our anti-hero Hellbringer has a brand-new nemesis, a 2018 Dodge Demon named Soulbreaker. If you’re even thinking about reading my book, […]