A Plotting Challenge: When Fictional Characters Won’t Behave

Confused about plotting? A reader said that she’s giving up on her current novel because “her characters won’t behave.” She doesn’t like them, nor does she believe in them. Here’s a secret. Misbehaving characters can be a GOOD thing. Usually, it happens when you’re trying to make a character do something he can’t naturally do. It’s wonderful: it means that … Read more

Write A Book: Make It Easier With The Simple “ASK” Process

Want to write a book? You have various processes you could use. The simplest: start writing. More complicated: create a detailed outline. Unfortunately, every book is different, so your favorite process may not work on the book you’re writing. When you’re struggling, going back to basics helps—looking at the bones of your project. Try creating a list of titles; your … Read more

Write More, More Easily: An Easy Strategy To Try Today

What could you achieve if you chose to write more? I’m fond of saying that you can overcome any writing challenge by writing more. You might: Get more writing commissions, if you contacted your freelance clients regularly; Sell more books, if you’re a self-publishing author; Develop a lucrative side hustle based on writing, if you’d like to become a full-time … Read more