Tags: conflict, how to write, sagging middles
How to Write: Sagging Middles

So, how is it going? Have you gotten through the first one thousand words yet? Two thousand? Usually by this time, I know if a book is going to be finished or not (as a reader and as a writer). Some books start out strong and then about act two, something weird happens. It’s called the middle. No matter how hard we try, boring, inane activity, and sagging plots will hit us in the middle of a book. We sort of run out of steam, or if you are a pantser, you can’t see where the story is going and
How to Write : Update and Chapter Three
I hope you have enjoyed the creation of the plot board video, and then the post to explain what you can do with one. Remember it is not the end-all, be-all, do-all for plotting. There are as many different views on plotting as there are ways to create a plotting tool, and you may not be at all like myself. So this post, I am calling a general update because I have had some mighty long ones recently. On this post, I want to really encourage you guys to help me give the book a name. I refer back to
How to write: plot board defined

We’ve made the plot board, now let’s figure out how to use it… But first, did you enjoy the video on how to make a plot board? I have to say, I am not very video-able, but as a good friend told me, just be yourself. I think I accomplished that, if nothing else. And if you are late to this party, you can go here using this link to go back and read all the prior posts on how to write. Another of you commented and said, what do I do with this thing now? Good question! Sorry I
How to Write: the first chapter

It’s day 4 of How to Write and today we are going to discuss that all important first chapter. There is a really great way to know what to put in one and I am going to challenge you to try it. What is this cool new challenge? READ A CHAPTER Not just any chapter, now, but one from a book that you think is like the one you want to write. The best way to know what goes in a first chapter is to read some that have already been written. I do not know what you are writing,
How to Write: the first page
It’s day three of our How to Write series! How are you feeling? Pumped? Motivated? Ready to shake up the writing world and get something started? We’ve already covered nailing your blurb, characters, and first line, and how to create a super-interesting first paragraph, and today it’s all about getting yourself off your butt to lengthen it and make it into a first page. It is not too late! Now, there are a heap of places on the Internet that talk about what a good first page is all about. You could spend HOURS looking and learning everyone’s opinion on