Tag: Writing

Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Three-act story structure

Mandy Webster

The three-act story structure is the most commonly used basic story structure in modern storytelling, and it consists of a setup, confrontation, and resolution. While the origins of the three-act structure are difficult to trace, it has been used in storytelling for centuries and is often attributed to Aristotle, who wrote about the importance of dramatic structure in Poetics.

The three act story structure may be as old as stories themselves! Image created with Canva Free AI Image Generator.

The basic structure of each of the three acts follows:

  1. The Setup: This is the first act of the story, where the characters and their world are introduced. The Setup establishes the status quo and introduces the main character, their goals, and the obstacles they will need to overcome.
  2. The Confrontation: This is the second act of the story, where the main character faces increasing obstacles and challenges on their journey toward their goal. The Confrontation is where the story’s tension and conflict typically reach their peak, as the protagonist struggles to overcome their biggest obstacles.
  3. The Resolution: This is the final act of the story, where the main character faces the climax of the story and resolves the central conflict. The Resolution typically includes a sense of closure, as the protagonist achieves their goal or is transformed by their journey.
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Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Pantsing vs Plotting: A case for the dreaded outline

Mandy Webster

“Pantsing” and “plotting” are two very different approaches to novel writing. The term “pantsing” comes from the phrase, “flying by the seat of your pants,” which means to improvise or make something up as you go along. The phrase was first used in the 1930s in reference to airplane pilots who navigated without the aid of instruments.

Few writers are successful at pantsing their way to the end of a good manuscript. Those who can do it possess a certain kind of magic that most of us will never obtain. Image created with Canva Free AI Image Generator.

The term “pantsing” in the context of writing specifically refers to a technique where the author writes without a detailed plan or outline, instead relying on inspiration and improvisation to guide the story. This technique is also known as “discovery writing” or “organic writing.” It is unclear exactly when the term “pantsing” was first used in this context, but it is thought to have gained popularity in writing communities and workshops in the 1990s. It has since become a widely used term in the writing world, particularly in discussions about outlining and planning versus improvisation and discovery.

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Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

The first step of the novel writing process: Planning

Mandy Webster

Pro Tip: Grab a notebook or your laptop and take notes while you read today’s post– just jot down ideas and plans as you review each task listed. Tomorrow, I’ll be coming at you with your first writing assignment!

The first step in the novel writing process is the planning stage. The planning stage of the writing process is crucial as it sets the foundation for the entire writing project. During this stage, a writer typically engages in several activities, all designed to prepare for the drafting stage. This step is essential because once you sit down to write the first draft, you’ll be prepared to “just do it” without getting sidetracked or bogged down in details that may never make it into your final draft. The planning stage of the novel writing process includes the following elements:

Brainstorming is one of the first steps of the novel writing process. Image created with Canva AI Image Generator.

Generate ideas: The writer starts by brainstorming and generating ideas about the novel they want to write. They may use techniques such as mind mapping, freewriting, or listing to generate ideas. There are a variety of free online story idea generators that can also be helpful. These include plot generators and name generators by genre, among others. If you don’t already have an idea for your novel, play with these resources until you have something fun that you will enjoy writing. Remember, this is a fun experiment, so feel free to be as silly as you like if it helps you stay engaged with the project.

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Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

A writer? Who, you?

Mandy Webster

At this point, you may be wondering if writing a novel is even something you can do, let alone writing a new one every year. Perhaps you have never taken a creative writing course or shared your writing with others. You may question whether you can even call yourself a writer without ever having written a complete work, whether it be a novel, an essay, or a poem. Maybe you believe you can’t possibly call yourself a writer until you have finished writing something. If that’s the case, you may wonder how you can justify the time you will spend writing a novel when you’re not even a “real” writer yet. These feelings of doubt are completely normal. Some would even say that this, too, is part of the writing process.

Don’t let imposter syndrome keep you from writing your novel! Image created with Canva AI Generator.

One struggle that many emerging writers battle is imposter syndrome. This is a common experience among writers and other creative professionals. It is the feeling that despite their accomplishments, skills, or expertise, they are not truly qualified or deserving of their success. There are several reasons why writers may experience imposter syndrome. For example, writers often have high standards for their work and may compare themselves unfavorably to other writers or to their own idealized vision of what their writing should be. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. Writing is also a subjective art form, and writers may receive rejection or criticism from publishers, editors, or readers. Even a single negative comment or rejection letter can trigger feelings of self-doubt and insecurity.

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Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Is writing a priority for you?

Mandy Webster

Ayla is a successful attorney who has always had a passion for writing. Throughout her legal career, she daydreams about writing a novel and imagines the stories she would love to tell. However, due to the demands of her profession, long working hours, and other personal commitments, Ayla never finds the time or energy to fully pursue her writing aspirations.

Image created using Canva AI Generator.

Ayla’s desire to write a novel is a lingering dream, always at the back of her mind. She collects ideas, snippets of dialogue, and character sketches in a notebook, hoping that one day she will have the opportunity to bring them to life on paper. However, the pressures and responsibilities of her career consistently take precedence.

As the years pass, Ayla occasionally experiences moments of regret or a sense of unfulfilled potential. She may attend writing workshops or join book clubs to stay connected to her love for literature, but the time and dedication required to actually sit down and write a novel elude her.

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Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Do you think you have a novel in you?

Mandy Webster

So, you think you have a novel in you, huh? The idea of having a novel inside oneself is a common sentiment among aspiring writers and creative individuals. Storytelling is an essential element of the human experience, and many people have a desire to tell their stories and share their ideas through writing. Writing a novel can be seen as a creative and fulfilling endeavor that allows individuals to express themselves and leave a lasting impact. Plus, it can be fun!

If you’re like many emerging authors though, you may have a novel manuscript that you have been writing for years with no end in sight. Or perhaps you’ve always thought you “had a novel in you” but haven’t gotten around to starting it. Once upon a time, this was me. I knew I had a novel in me, but for years I could never seem to get it out of my head and onto the page.

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Writing Prompts

How to write away your anxiety and depression

Mandy Webster

I’ve been writing from a young age and have spent countless hours journaling over the years. However, for some reason I’ve fallen out of the habit in my old(er?) age and tend to only pull out my journal once in a great while when I’m in the middle of something big. Recently, I was reminded by one of my favorite YouTube therapists (licensed), Emma McAdam, of the value of writing to improve mental health. She’s the expert, so I’ll drop her video here and let her give you the details on the science. But I thought I’d also share McAdams’ list to make it easier to refer back to. So scroll down to read more and grab that list.

Emma McAdams’ 6 Ways to Process Your Feelings in Writing: How to Journal for Anxiety and Depression

In her video, McAdams suggests that you spend about ten minutes a day writing with the intent to improve your mental health. It’s important to approach this task in the right way however, as focusing too much on “fixing yourself” can backfire. For example, one commenter says, “Emotional processing is writing what “was” and “is” not what “will be” or is “supposed to be.” When I was unconsciously slipping into problem solving mode or hopeful thinking mode, I tried to fix myself instead of processing my feelings of what made me feel this way. It’s like I gaslighted myself unknowingly.” So be sure to focus on processing and understanding rather than fixing yourself. Understanding leads to acceptance, which then paves the path to healing.

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Author Interview

Author interview with poet Shadrin Lee Schneider

Mandy Webster

Shadrin Lee Schneider grew up in Pekin, Illinois. As a graduate of Graham Hospital School of Nursing in 2009, Shad now works as a nurse and a deputy coroner. To relax, Schneider enjoys writing, traveling with his wife Susan (the editor of his books), listening to podcasts and music, walking, and brewing beer.

The cover of a book of poems and shorts titled, "Perpetually Eating Multicolored Sprinkles" by Shadrin Lee Schneider.
Shadrin Lee Schneider is the author of two books of poems and shorts, “Perpetually Eating Multicolored Sprinkles” and “Nobody Likes Pants,” as well as two children’s books, “Crunchers” and “Don’t be a Wiggle-Wop.” His books are available on Amazon.

Q: When did you first catch the writing bug? What drove you to persist?

A: As a registered ER nurse, I started watching less TV and started writing poetry as a way to relax during Covid. I found it very therapeutic, so I kept writing throughout the pandemic, sometimes during a quiet evening, sometimes while out walking. I would even challenge myself to write a single poem during the time it took while waiting in line when shopping. Creative writing definitely helped me survive that challenging time as a healthcare worker and has stuck with me since.  

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?

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Essays, Novel Writing, Saving the World One Story at a Time

How to tell your own authentic stories while also supporting marginalized voices

Mandy Webster

As an author, I believe that I have a responsibility to create diverse works that do not present the world as a one-dimensional space where only certain people are welcome to exist. This can be a tricky balancing act for a white writer like myself. I want my novels to be diverse, but I also do not want to unknowingly reinforce stereotypes that I may not be aware of. I do not want to cross the line into cultural appropriation or telling stories about experiences that may not align with my own. For the past few years, I have been taking an #ownvoices approach to this subject, and I feel like I have learned a lot from the experience.

My novel If You Didn’t See It Coming is an example of an #ownvoices book even though people of color are not at the forefront of the story. It’s an accounting of marginalized characters (namely women) involved in domestic violence situations, many of which are inspired by my own experiences with a violent abuser. Although the characters are fictional, and their stories are not a retelling of my own story, it still illustrates the struggles of a marginalized group of people.

Because I was telling the story from my own perspective, the main characters are all white. There is very little intersectionality of identities because I was telling the story from the perspective of a cis white woman. However, I did consider representation and intersectionality while writing the novel. I considered making my main characters more diverse, but I didn’t feel right about trying to write what I consider to be someone else’s story.

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Writers on Writing

I have a dream. And a goal. Lots of writing goals. But I need your help to get there.

Mandy Webster

I’ve been writing for a long time. I have published a handful of novels that honestly haven’t been widely read. It’s really hard to get people to read your books if you don’t have a big name or someone like Oprah or Reese or Jenna promoting your work. Sometimes, I can’t even give them away. Needless to say, I am not earning a living from my writing.

Before you start to feel too sorry for me, I must admit that I am no starving artist. At least not since I started working two full-time jobs (don’t worry, they’re cake jobs: it’s not as bad as it sounds). We are a dual income family, so we’re not exactly hard up for money. Unfortunately, both incomes must be earned by one person, me. I officially got my single-parent family out from under the poverty line about two years ago, and things have steadily improved for us since. Where I’m going with this is that money is no longer the issue, per se. But the time I am spending making money instead of writing is getting to be an issue.

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