Shannon A. Thompson's Blog, page 4

How to Organize Scrivener’s Binder for Novel Writing

Everyone organizes their writing process differently, but one question I’m consistently asked is how I organize my novel and my notes in Scrivener. Though the content changes from book to book, my Binder is pretty consistent. Why? Well, I’ve found these documents to be the most important to have accessible while writing. 

Let’s walk through my Binder and why it works.

Pitch: Authors should always have a pitch. Even if you have an agent and a publisher, you will need to pitch your book to them. The pitch is often the first thing I write. It gives me a solid idea of my book’s themes, content, and commercial viability. 

Titles: I’m always daydreaming titles while writing. Instead of spending too much time trying to decide, I just keep a file and drop them in as I go. They’ll be there at the end, so I can make a final decision. 

Songs: I keep a playlist and Pinterest board ready to go at all times. This helps me get back into the groove if I’ve been in a writing slump or had to go work on another project for a while.

Resources: Articles and other writing tips that I want to keep handy because I know I’ll need them. Right now, I have four articles on how to write spicy scenes. I’m fairly new to writing those. We’re always learning! 

Characters: This is my masterlist of characters. Scrivener has character profile options, but I find it easier to just keep an outline of all my characters together, especially since so many of them connect with each other. I also have a list of character names I’m considering for side characters since this book is still so fresh and in the first draft phase. 

Language: These are phrases or words that match the vibe of my book, but may not come to me super naturally. Think “baroque.” While I know the word, it may not be the first thing I think about when describing a room. It’s something I can add in later while revising. 

World Building: Similarly to my character sheet, I keep an outline of my world building. I have it organized by setting, magic system, and considerations. This page will change the most while I’m first drafting because I tend not to worry about solidifying my world building until I have my story structure solidified. I need to know what my story needs first, and that can change when characters’ throw curve balls at you. I’ll definitely do a more detailed post about world building soon!

Architecture: The architecture of this manuscript is very particular, so I’ve had to do a lot of research for it. I also know I won’t remember everything, so I’ve kept a detailed list, including why I choose certain aspects and not others. 

Manuscript folder 

Outlining folder: Simplified Order: This is my bare bones outline. For example, it’s 292 words right now, whereas my Organized scenes below adds up to 3,971. It helps to have a bare bones version when you’re deep into the middle and the domino effect of plot twists is in full force. I like to reference my foundation and make sure I’m not straying too far.  Organized: These are my “screenplay” versions of my upcoming chapters. I tend to write almost all the dialogue and describe what will happen. This is what I pull from when I start a new chapter. You can more about this process in How I Fast Draft Chapters. Unorganized scenes: these are scenes I’m still trying to figure out. I love them, but they don’t necessarily fit into the story yet. If you think of novel writing like a road trip–where I know where I’m starting, ending, and a few places in between–this document is a couple of tourist places I’d love to stop at and visit, but am unsure if the detour will be worth it. It’s my “maybe.” It often comes down to how my characters change and surprise me as a first draft. In many ways, this document holds all the multi-verses of my book.More scenes: More scenes I’ve come up with while writing. Even more unorganized than the initial unorganized ones I made above. I revisit this page continuously, and combine the scenes with the unorganized, then combine those into the organized. It’s like braiding! Given to CPs: If my chapter is in this folder, it means a critique partner has read and reviewed it. The comments are transferred on and waiting for when I want to revise. Written: These are written chapters I haven’t sent to my CPs yet. Right now, I’m bundling my chapters in threes, so I’m waiting on Chapter Six before I send more off. Drafting: The chapters I’m currently writing!Chapter 6: Where I currently am.Notes: The outline for Chapter 6 that I pulled from my Organized document. I line it up with Chapter 6 and write with them next to each other. I’m almost always in Split View mode. Chapter Titles: A list of titles I will use throughout the book. Notes: Notes that are super important right now. Ones I want to look at first. It’s often an emphasis of a character’s arc. For Natasha: Natasha is currently my only CP on this book right now, so I keep a running document of the questions I’m going to ask her when I send off the chapters. Makes it easy to send it off the second I’m ready, rather than reevaluate the pages for questions. 

Sequel folder: Yes, I already have ideas for a sequel even though I’m in Chapter Six of book 1. After writing two series and 18 novels, I’m pretty good at guessing which content will be better for a first book and what sort of content will need to be saved for when the reader knows the world and characters better. It’s often the twistier, more complicated magic that can’t realistic make it into a first book.

Cut folder: These are scenes that I know no longer fit the book. Whether it’s because I changed a fundamental aspect of who a character was or if I ditched an original concept, these scenes aren’t salvageable. But you never know when they will be the perfect fit for a different book! And guess what? I once used a scene from my Cut folder in the same book once my agent went through it and suggested almost the exact thing I cut out months earlier. Keep everything. 

Anyway, I hope this in-depth look into my writing process helps you with yours. If there’s a piece of them you’d like me to do a deeper dive on, please let me know!

Do you have organization tricks or tips?

I’d love to hear about it in the comments! 

~SAT

How to Fast Draft Chapters

Writing quickly and effectively is a skill. One that is learned overtime. That said, you can also learn methods from writers who have figured out universal formulas, and I wanted to share one of mine today. 

How do I fast draft chapters? 

It starts with an outline. Personally, by the time I start writing my novel, I know where my book begins, the midpoint, and the ending, as well as a few places that I want to stop in between. This means that I end up with a scene-by-scene playbook. Granted, there’s a lot of details in some scenes, but also a lot of wiggle room for discoverability.

Once I have my outline, this is where fast drafting begins. 

Any time I sit down to write a chapter, my first step is checking my outline. Today, I’m writing Chapter Five in one of my WIPs. My outline is 3,783 words. This document includes what I know will happen for certain. I also have a document called Unorganized notes (896 words) and things I meant to add in previous chapters that didn’t work out naturally (139 words at the moment). I scan all three sections and piecemeal a solid chapter outline together. In this case, my Chapter Five is focused on introducing an important side character and how their goals both conflict and assist my protagonist. The cliffhanger is whether or not my protagonist will risk working with them in order to get the reward. The outline ends up being 312 words. It’s basically important dialogue and descriptions of what the characters do. 

How do I decide what makes a solid chapter outline?

If you haven’t read When to Begin and End Chapters, I recommend checking that out. 

Most importantly, I make three decisions: 

What is the question I’m asking at the beginning? What am I answering by the end? What is my cliffhanger?

Once I know these three key points of my chapter, I understand my overall theme, so I pick out a chapter title and start writing. From writing similar books in this age category and genre in the past, I know I want my chapters to be 2,000-3,000 words. In this case, I land at 2,290 words. It’s definitely a first draft. While writing, I also took some notes about things I might want to change as I continue the story. I also reconsider the parts that I couldn’t enter. After realizing I can fit them in, I end up with a 2,655-word chapter. I’m left with 109 notes that don’t fit naturally. (Right now anyway.) 

If I think it’ll be easily fixable during my first round of edits, I put it in the chapter notes. If not, I add it to my overall unorganized file. 

This is where my pantsing comes in. While I was writing the dialogue in Chapter Five, I realized a small detail that I could solve an arc issue by the end of the book. So I make more notes while I’m writing for future chapters. I take A LOT of notes. An overkill amount. Why? Because I’m pursuing traditional publishing, my agent could call any day and ask me to switch focuses on a deadline. That means I gotta drop this project, swivel to a different one, and I have no idea when I’ll be able to come back. I want to be able to pivot quickly and effectively. 

Granted, my agent didn’t call today. 

Since I just turned in a manuscript, I’m actually on a bit of a writing break, so I’m free to move into Chapter 6 with the same process. 

On average, I can get my individual chapter outline and chapter written in the 30-40 minute window I have before work. With one chapter done a day, I could finish a 70,000-word novel in a month. I consider that fast drafting. Others might not, but I’m perfectly happy with that pace.

Granted, what makes it even faster, is if I prep my individual chapter outline the night before. Meaning, I write my chapter in the morning, but I spend my evening doing prep for the next day. That increases my speed quite a bit. Enough so that I can afford a weekend without any writing and still finish a book around the 30-day mark.

That said, it’s more important to write well than fast. I definitely let myself slow down if things aren’t working out. But once I get three chapters bundled, I’ll send it to one of my critique partners, who knows I’m in first draft mode. I’ll keep writing while they’re reviewing.  

I love sending my first draft to a beta reader or two because they often spot fundamental issues that save me a ton of time. I will never forget writing an entire novel before sending it to someone, only for them to spot something that unraveled things early on. That edit was time-consuming and a mess. I don’t worry about that anymore. 

Having beta readers on my first draft is a perfect fail safe, especially when you’re fast drafting. 

Anyway, I hope this helps! 

~SAT

Is Your 18+ Protagonist Young Adult, New Adult, or Adult?

With the news of Wednesday Books launching a new adult imprint (Saturday Books), new adult is back in the spotlight (and thank the publishing gods! It’s about time). 

I, for one, am hoping that this move gives new adult a solid chance at becoming an independent age category in the traditional publishing landscape. Why? I’ve been writing about this issue since 2018, particularly when I was a youth librarian and young adult author who spent a significant time with teen readers and writers. I wrote NA or YA? College-Aged Protagonists, which is unsurprisingly still relevant, but I also know it’s time for an upgrade. Granted, this is a complex, ever-changing topic. Publishing trends shift every day. What I say today is just my opinion today, and not necessarily all the layers of that opinion. I’m basically giving a synthesized opinion. There’s so many variables in a story that some books could sit in two categories (or maybe all three), but you definitely stand a better chance at success if your book solidly sits in one (and you know which one). 

So what makes a book young adult or new adult? What about adult? 

Many will point to the age as the protagonist like this:

16-18: young adult19-24: new adult25+: adult 

However, I think it’s more important to look at the themes of your story. 

Young adult = Who am I?New adult = Now that I know who I am, how will I find my place in the world?Adult = Now that I know who I am and my place in the world, how/when/why will I challenge/change that? 

YA and NA typically have coming of age themes, with new adult having an emphasis on a second “coming of age.” (Think college student who is still discovering their likes/dislikes and their perception of the world.) In young adult, there’s a desire to grow up and become independent, but they’re still experiencing childhood through teen eyes. In new adult, there’s a bigger bandwidth to explore the mixture of encroaching adulthood and the last ramblings of childhood. (For instance, there might be pushback about growing up because the reality of growing up is becoming clearer.) In adult, your character is solidly in adulthood and dealing with those responsibilities. Granted, this is a generalization. It’s important to take note that a lot of issues can happen at different ages for different folks (and readers want that variety), hence the crossover.  

Let’s look at an example with careers at the center:

Does your character have a career they’ve been settled in for a while but hate? Most likely adult. Did your character just start their first job and are navigating new responsibilities for the first time? New Adult. Does your character have a part-time job while attending high school? Young adult. Does your character have a part-time job while attending college? Probably New Adult, but could also be Young Adult. It depends on your overall themes, content, ages, etc. What if you have a 17-year-old protagonist who has dropped out of school and is taking care of younger siblings by working a full-time job? Well, this could be YA, NA, or Adult–depending, again, on the content, themes, language, etc. 

As an example, Let’s look at Shameless. It appealed to a broad audience because it had a large cast with varying storylines, but many would consider it a mature-audience (adult) show. There’s drugs, sex, and crime upfront and in detail.

Now, let’s pretend the children’s movie Lilo & Stitch was told from the perspective of Lilo’s sister Nani. She was nineteen, working and providing everything for her younger sister who gets wrapped up in aliens (all while dealing with CPS). Despite this, the story has a lighter tone. Depending on how an author wrote it–and what they included–it could be YA or NA. If the story had a funnier, Disney-tone (and followed the exact Disney storyline), I would lean toward upper YA/crossover from Nani’s POV. But being in a crossover space can be risky. So let’s say you wanted it to be solidly YA: Nani could be aged down to 17, be put in high school, and instead of trying to gain custody of her sister, she’s a babysitter where things got out of control. On the contrary, if the story’s maturity level was raised–like we get an on-screen romance between Nani and David and the aliens are more violent/graphic–I would put it in NA. (Also, I would LOVE to read that book, so someone please write it.) If you wanted to make it solidly adult, you could change Nani to a single mom who is battling aliens with her daughter all while trying to deal with her growing feelings for David (and maybe even a spicier romance.) 

In other words, you can see how it can get complicated. 

One outcome I’m hoping we’ll get if NA expands is a broader space for younger YA and older MG (middle grade) titles. Right now, YA has definitely leaned more toward 18+ protagonists, with recent best-sellers including marriage and sex, and I feel like we’re leaving younger readers behind. 

When I was a youth librarian, it was difficult to find books that bridged the gap between MG readers and entering the YA space, especially amongst boy readers who were looking for more Percy Jackson-style reads. 

My hope is that NA will allow books that were naturally NA be NA instead of being forcibly aged up into adult or aged down into YA, therefore sending a ripple effect through those age categories (and sometimes leaving less shelf space for younger titles). 

Anyway, this is just my opinion, and I could honestly get into the weeds more. For instance, the huge elephant in the room that everyone’s been discussing is spice: where does it belong and how much of it can be included (and in what format: closed door, on-page, etc.). 

But I will leave that for another day. 

My focus right now? I am cheering on this new adult imprint.

I hope it’s the beginning of many more to come. 

~SAT 

P.S. I also want to give a huge shout out to the indie publishing space. Indie publishing has always supported and thrived in the new adult market, and the growing demand for these books has been fueled by talented new adult authors who shared their stories with the world, independently and with courage. Y’all are amazing.

Choose Your Summer Writing Theme

It’s almost summertime, and you know what that means. 

It’s time to choose your summer (writing) theme. Are you a Summerween writer, tackling your latest witchy rom-com, or are you a Beachside Whodunit, working on a murder mystery? 

At this point, you might be asking me why you need a summer writing theme. My answer? They can help you get back on track with your writing goals. (I mean, do we even remember what our 2024 writing goals were? If not, so what? Make new ones!) 

Basically, the summer is the perfect time to check in with yourself and make sure you’re doing what you want and need to do to meet your goals. Giving yourself a theme makes it FUN. 

What sorts of themes am I thinking about? 

Well, I just wrapped up revisions on my dark academia monster romantasy. It’s in my agent’s hands now! Yipee! That said, it was the THIRD novel I’ve revised since January. I have been revising nonstop this year, with very little time to create something new or rest, so the Kansas City sunshine is giving me rejuvenation vibes.

To recharge, I’m considering a couple thematic staycations (with a WIP if the writing bug bites me!) 

Summerween: Daytime ghost stories, carving summer fruits (like watermelons), and nighttime bonfires by the lake (with spooky tales, of course). I could catch up on reading paranormal rom-coms or indulge in writing my vampire romantasy. Sweet Summertime: ice cream, laffy taffy, baking. If there’s sugar, I’m there. I’m picturing graphic novels and K-pop music while I jump into my middle grade contemporary fantasy. Stargazing Soiree: stargazing, constellations, and nighttime wildlife. If I really want to tackle another revision, I have my monsters on the moon book that I finished back in 2019. I could always pull it out and blow off the stardust. 

Anyway, all thematic jokes aside, I’m going to enjoy my summer. As a new publishing professional, I have summer Fridays for the first time ever, and I am embracing them! In fact, I recently took sailing lessons, which was amazing. I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for pirates and sailors (and I may have gotten another book idea…Maybe I’m having more of a Mermaid Magic Summer? Someone help me! I can’t stop!)

Here’s some other summer writing theme ideas!

Summer Screams: Horror galore!  Fairytale Fiesta: Fantasy writers unite Historical Hammocks: Historical fiction & non-fictionSunny Storytime: Picture books, Children’s fic, etc.Picnic Pages: Eat and write/read to your heart’s content.

Let me know in the comments below which one you chose (or come up with your own).

P.S. I also shared some Summer Staycation Ideas for Writers.

What are your summer plans? Vacations? Novel writing? 

Tell me about it! 

~SAT

My #1 Publishing Secret: The Power of a Strategic Plan

Every author I know has secrets: Secret writing tips, secret favorite reads, secret marketing advice. You name it, folks have it. 

Granted, I’m a big believer in transparency. I wouldn’t be where I am today without other writers and publishing professionals sharing their insight with me, so I always try to give back. 

So what’s my #1 publishing secret?

I keep a strategic publishing plan.

Even though I don’t have a book deal, I spend a significant amount of time preparing for that day. I mean, who wants to get caught off guard when their dream finally arrives? Not me! I AM READY. 

I have notes on pre-order campaigns, ARC teams, library/school visits, and more. Whatever publishing situation that I aspire to be in one day, I take notes on it. In fact, my publishing plan started as a folder of book promos that I wanted to emanate one day. Then I realized the images needed context and organization, so I created a document that outlined when the images would need to be made and how. Over time, my plan grew to include tips and tricks I heard at conferences or just stumbled upon online. Now it’s 1,000 words, ten pages long, and I add to it every week. 

For those interested in creating their own plan, mine starts with instructions on what to do from “When You Get An Offer” to “Six Months Post-Publication.” My organizational methods might not work for you, so I encourage you to experiment. However, the key is to collect information in an organized fashion, so that you have a template ready to go as you progress through your publishing journey. Imagine not having to Google “What should my pre-order campaign look like?” the second pre-orders go live and instead already having a plan in place. My plan includes helpful article links, examples of those who’ve done it successfully, and extra tips I hear at conferences or online. I also have a miscellaneous section. The best part? I can always add or remove information as the market changes.

Overall, creating a publishing plan is not only exciting, it also feels like manifesting success. 

Here’s to using my plan in the future! 

How do you plan for your publishing journey? I’d love to hear about the tips and tricks you include in your future goals.

~SAT

5 Non-Writing Activities I Still Count As Writing

Writing is hard. So hard that writer’s block often sneaks up on us. But did it really sneak up on us? I see lots of writers who get writer’s block from one thing: Not feeling like they’re doing enough. Which is why I recommend being mindful about how non-writing activities count toward your writing journey. 

Here are 5 non-writing activities I still count as writing: 

Curating a Pinterest Board or Spotify Playlist

I love nothing more than perusing dozens of photos that match the vibe of the book I want to write. Not only does it inspire me in the moment, but it also becomes a go-to place for when I’m struggling to remind myself of why I love my story. It’s especially helpful to have a Pinterest board or playlist for your book if you’re pivoting from project to project. Just take a quick glance, and your imagination will click back into place. It’s the perfect writing hack. 

Creating my publishing plan

Sometimes I don’t feel like writing, but I still feel creative. That’s where my publishing plan comes in. Not only is this manifesting greatness, it’s a way to prepare for that greatness. I basically have a PDF and folder that’s constantly growing, full of content I want to recreate for my books. It’s organized from the moment I get a book deal, all the way through six months post publication. 

Shouting at myself in the car (or shower)

Hear me out: Dialogue has to sound realistic, but it should also feel realistic. I tend to fall into method acting. You know, embodying the characters and having a little chitchat. It just so happens to work best in the car or shower. (Who knows.) If I could tell you how often I practice my dialogue out loud, I’d be embarrassed. (But maybe you’ve seen me driving around, yelling at myself.) Either way, throwing a little play for myself (and then trying to desperately remember exactly what I said later) 100% counts. 

Social media creation and management 

Technically, writing captions for Instagram is literally writing, but so many folks separate their social media writing from their novel writing, and I don’t. The only reason my social media exists is because of my novels. Therefore, they are one and the same. 

Talking it out with my fellow writers

Is there anything better than brainstorming with writer friends? I can’t think of anything. I love meeting up with my writer friends in-person and on ZOOM to chitchat about our books. Without those conversations, I’d be on my own, and my books would definitely not be where they are today. Critique partners are EVERYTHING, and absolutely part of the writing process; therefore, talking counts. 

These five activities might not be directly writing, but they are essential steps to getting those words down. Without brainstorming or cultivating my creativity, the words aren’t going to happen. 

So these count. At least for me.

Do you have non-writing activities that you count toward your goals? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

~SAT

P.S. I am teaching HOW TO WRITE A SERIES for Reedsy this Wednesday, May 22 at 3 PM EST. When you tune in, you’ll find out how to use outlines, create book bibles, and devise fascinating subplots. You’ll see how bestselling authors keep each book in a series consistent but also fresh and exciting. More information and registration.

Enemies to Lovers vs Rivals to Lovers: Meeting Readers’ Expectations

There’s been a lot of talk about tropes and readers’ expectations, mainly enemies-to-lovers versus rivals-to-lovers, and while there is some crossover, there’s also distinct differences that writers and readers should keep in mind. 

So what makes these tropes successful? How do they stand apart from each other? 

Enemies-to-lovers: As it sounds, the love interests of the book are enemies first, then become lovers over time. It’s a very popular selling point, but many readers feel the term is losing its meaning. In other words, some feel as if marketing has been overusing the term or claiming the trope even when it’s not truly present. 

So what’s going on?

For one, there are varying degrees this trope can be applied. Simply put, there are two main categories: 

They’re circumstantial enemies: The reason they are enemies comes from an outside force, such as societal or familial expectation. They may not necessarily hate each other, but rather something about the other. This is common in fantasies. For example, when we see two people from warring nations meet and slowly realize that they have a lot more in common than previously thought. Tropes we see alongside this one are arranged marriages (often for political alliances), forced proximity (such as having to work together to overcome a neutral force, like a natural disaster), miscommunication tropes, and more. What is key here is that the hatred is not individualized. Using warring nations as an example: They may hate each other’s nations, but as they get to know each other, they realize that the other person is someone they can sympathize with. The tension is created from following your heart or your loyalty to your upbringing. This could also be blended with the forbidden lovers trope, but be aware that “forbidden” doesn’t automatically equal “enemy.” Enemy requires a level of hatred. Think about Romeo & Juliet. They were forbidden lovers, but not enemies-to-lovers. Despite the fact that their families are feuding, they never dislike each other. That’s the difference. They’re personal enemies: Both characters know each other and hate each other for personal reasons. This one typically relies on a miscommunication trope, so that the characters can later realize that the actions or attitudes that sparked the hatred were misinterpreted and can be forgiven, which builds into the romance. We see this in bully romances in particular. We also see this in rivals-to-lovers, where there is a lot of crossover. So what makes it an enemies-to-lovers?  Well, it’s best to analyze its counterpart: 

Rivals-to-lovers is when two characters have the same goal and are therefore competing against each other for that goal. Think academic competitors or co-workers gunning for the same promotion. In this situation, hatred could happen, which is why sometimes folks might accidentally call this enemies-to-lovers. In the same vein, there are subcategories within rivals-to-lovers, like bully romances, where these tropes could theoretically come together. This is natural crossover, and that’s okay. 

Where I see most folks get disappointed is when either trope is barely used. (Meaning, the characters start as rivals or enemies on page one, but by page 20 they’re over it like it didn’t mean anything in the first place.) Granted, I think this can also be a misconception. There is a difference between insta-love and insta-attraction. Any character could be instantly attracted to an enemy or a rival. That doesn’t mean the trope no longer exists. 

Growing and exploring the tension is key to making these tropes stand out successfully. That starts with setting expectations in your marketing. If you’re marketing your book as a dark enemies-to-lovers, readers are going to expect a lot of hate and more unpacking as the characters get closer. The tension will need to be higher, the reasons for breaking more dramatic. 

Either way, I hope this helps you explore these tropes! 

~SAT 

My New Publishing Job! + Tips on How You Can Get One

If you follow me on social media, then you already know this, but I wanted to announce my good news here, too. 

I now work at Penguin Random House Audio! I’m specifically working in rights and permissions. I started earlier this month, and I am so excited to embark on this new career journey. 

I’ve had so many life changes in the last six months, it’s honestly mind-blowing (and in the best way possible). I am so grateful. 

If you’re someone who’s interested in working in publishing, here’s some quick tips to help you navigate your journey:

Internships

There are so many amazing internships available for aspiring publishing professionals. I was lucky enough to be chosen for the Writers House Intern Program last autumn, and every moment was a dream. Not only does WHIP teach you everything you need to know about publishing, but they’re very career-driven. I wouldn’t be where I’m at now without them. Keep an eye out on BookJobs.com for available internships. LinkedIn and X are great places to find them, too. You’ll want to follow agencies and publishers that you’re interested in, and keep an eye out for postings.

Work in an adjacent field 

Right out of college, I freelanced at numerous independent publishers in marketing and editing. I was also a full-time freelance editor at one point, so I learned a lot about the ins and outs of the indie and traditional publishing market. I then went on to work at a library for six years, including a special initiative project focused on story creation and sharing. We even taught publishing courses and had our own imprint, so my library job had a lot of crossover with what I’m doing now. (I’m even a Book Coach on Reedsy.) All of this work experience helped round out my resume and made it easier to transition over. 

Don’t give up

I’m in my thirties! I worked numerous freelance gigs over the years to gain experience. I also applied for opportunities more than once. (I first applied to WHIP in August of 2020, and I applied a couple of times over the course of three years before I got my shot!) Don’t give up. Believe in yourself. Know that it’s never too late to switch career paths. Keep learning. Keep applying for opportunities, and you’ll get there. 

~SAT

P.S. On May 7, 2024 I’m teaching Break Up Your Novel into Attainable Goals at 7 PM EST via ZOOM: Author Shannon A. Thompson will discuss an approach to novel writing by breaking the process up into parts. Then, set realistic goals so you can stay on track to finish your book. (You do not have to have an Orange County Library card to attend.) Register.

Why Similar Ideas Shouldn’t Deter Your Writing Journey

As aspiring writers, it’s not uncommon to find ourselves overwhelmed by doubt and hesitation, especially when we stumble upon a book that seems eerily similar to our beloved WIP. In fact, this happened to me recently. I had 20,000 words of a story written and a full outline when I started reading a book that had a similar concept. At first, I felt silly for even attempting to write my story. The one I was reading was snappier and already very popular. Then again, of course it was. It’s already published. Mine is a first draft. I talked myself out of giving up my WIP and I kept reading. 

Though the first three chapters had similar concepts, they quickly diverged from each other, and my nerves settled down. I realized that of course our stories would have similar aspects; we are retelling the same source material. (In this case, retelling of lore.) What makes our stories different is our voice, characters, and plot points. From the narrative style to the character development to the underlying themes, our paths diverged with each turning page. Had I given in to my doubt, I would have deprived myself of the opportunity to discover the unique magic of my own story and the audience it could potentially reach. This is why it’s important to view a similar title – not as a roadblock – but as an opportunity. That opportunity? Comp titles! 

When readers find a book they love, they often seek out similar stories. Similar ideas mean there’s a thriving market waiting for your story. By identifying comparison titles, you can position your book within an existing market. This not only helps agents and publishers understand where your book fits but also demonstrates that there’s a demand for stories like yours. I mean, how many times have you seen an author pitch their book as “If you liked X, pick this up!” (Scroll through BookTok, and you’ll see this in seconds.) 

So, to all the writers out there wrestling with doubt and uncertainty, I implore you: keep writing. Keep dreaming. Your story is unlike any other, not because it’s entirely original in concept, but because your voice, your passion, and your perspective will bring it to life. Embrace the similarities, but never lose sight of what sets your story apart. Lean into your special magic. Emphasize those unique, underlying twists you’ve created. Elevate your voice. 

The one goal I walked away with after reading a similar title was analyzing my piece for what set it apart, and seeing where I could accentuate those elements. I now have a plan. I’m more excited than before—and I hope you are, too!

You’ve got this.

~SAT

P.S. I’m teaching a FREE virtual writing workshop tomorrow, Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 7 PM EST via ZOOM: How to Begin and End Chapters Effectively. How do you start chapters? How do you end them? Author Shannon A. Thompson will discuss how you know those points are enough to keep the reader interested. (You do not have to have an Orange County Library card to attend.) Register.

A Sneak Peek of the Free Writing Classes I’m Teaching This Spring

I’m teaching two free, virtual writing classes this month! I know how signing up for an educational event can feel daunting…or just plain time consuming. Which is why I thought I’d give you all a sneak peek of what’s coming up. That way, you can make a more informed decision on if the content is what you’re looking for to help with your writing goals this spring! If you attend the programs, you will get a free copy of the slides for your personal use. 

First up is How to Begin and End Chapters Effectively on Tuesday, April 16 at 7 PM EST, which you can view and register for here. In this virtual course, I’m going to talk about what makes an individual chapter effective – the POV, the setup, how to begin chapters and how to end them on the perfect cliffhanger – so that readers keep turning the pages. (You do not have to have an Orange County Library card to attend.) This class is designed for beginners and those wishing to sharpen their skills.

On Tuesday, May 7 at 7 PM EST, I’ll be teaching Break Up Your Novel into Attainable Goals, which you can register for here. I’ll talk about how I approach novel writing by breaking my stories up into parts, including a section where we focus on the importance of strong dialogue as a base. We’ll take a look at beat sheets and other outlining tools, then we’ll then set realistic goals so that we can stay on track this year. Resources will be provided. (You do not have to have an Orange County Library card to attend.) This class is designed for anyone struggling to stay on track.

Again, you can register for the programs here: How to Begin and End Chapters Effectively and Break Up Your Novel into Attainable Goals. I also encourage you to share them with others! Various classes have helped me fine-tune my writing over the years. It’s a joy to be able to give back from the other side. 

In fact, I’ll be continuing to teach later this year. I’m really excited that I’ve been invited to teach one of my most popular programs – How to Write a Series – for Reedsy on May 15. It will be at 3 PM EST, but registration is not yet available. I’ll also be teaching the St. Louis Writers Guild Summer Camp for Young Writers in June. I’m sure I’ll do another post in the future about that!

As always, keep an eye out on my Event page and subscribe to my newsletter for the latest news. It is quarterly, and it goes out this month!

If you have any questions, please let me know.

I hope to see you there!

~SAT