Writing Resources Category
Happy BLOG Birthday—Part 4
Posted on February 20, 2019 Leave a Comment
The all-time highest views of any post is part of the series I did on Formatting and Submitting Your Manuscript. I took Jerry Jenkins’ Christian Writers’ Guild, and I’d purchased so many wonderful writing resources, that when I started this blog, I wanted to share them. #amwriting #BLOGbirthdayFeb172014 #fiveyears @donnalhsmith @a3writers This post is from […]
Plotting 4 Pantsers — Part IX
Posted on November 14, 2018 Leave a Comment
Today, we’ll wrap up our series on Plotting 4 Pantsers, and for the rest of the year, we’ll reblog some things about plotting from a couple years ago. Make your story memorable by appealing to your readers’ emotions. #Plotting4Pantsers #StoryMemorability @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Plotting 4 Pantsers — Part VII
Posted on November 7, 2018 Leave a Comment
External character struggles revolve around character survival or solving a large problem. How will that problem be solved? That’s what the reader wants to know. #Plotting4Pantsers #ExternalCharacterStruggles #MeghansChoice @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Plotting 4 Pantsers — Part VII
Posted on October 31, 2018 Leave a Comment
They are the glue that unites the internal with the external. The internal deals with our feelings. External deals with our relationship with others. Interpersonal struggles are the “bridge” between internal and external struggles. #Plotting4Pantsers #InterpersonalCharacterStruggles @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Plotting 4 Pantsers — Part VI
Posted on October 24, 2018 Leave a Comment
Three kinds of struggles should come into play for your protagonist: Internal, Interpersonal, & External. Using all three makes your story richer without plotting a single scene. This week: Internal #Plotting4Pantsers #InternalCharacterStruggles @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Plotting 4 Pantsers — Part V
Posted on October 17, 2018 Leave a Comment
Choose from three types of story beginnings without plotting a single scene. The protagonist 1) has it all, but it’s taken away, 2) dangle what they most want in front of them, 3) make them face their greatest fear. #Plotting4Pantsers #StoryBeginnings @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Plotting 4 Pantsers — Part IV
Posted on October 10, 2018 Leave a Comment
We’ve looked at the four essential elements of every plot twist. Last week, we reviewed three types of plot twists. This week, we’ll learn of two more. If you’re a “pantser” — how do you “plot?” By using story techniques like plot twists, character development, and raising the stakes. #Plotting4Pantsers #PlotTwists @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Plotting 4 Pantsers—Part III
Posted on October 3, 2018 Leave a Comment
We’re continuing our discussion of plot twists today. Turn your story on its head. By using the four basic elements of a stunning plot twist last week, let’s look at five different types of plot twists: identity, awareness, complexity, peril, & cleverness. Choose at least one then build a plot twist based on it. Plotting4Pantsers […]
Plotting 4 Pantsers—Part II
Posted on September 26, 2018 1 Comment
Last week, we talked about making promises to readers. Today, I’m going to talk about plot twists. Four elements must be present in any plot twist you write: inevitable, surprising, escalation, & expectation. #Plotting4Pantsers @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Getting Inside the Romantic Hero’s Head—Part II
Posted on July 4, 2018 Leave a Comment
In our romance we’re writing, we’ve sketched out the two main characters, Tovah and Judah. Tovah is a rabbi. Judah is the CEO of a multi-national family-owned corporation. The male POV in a romance escalates the romantic tension with the heroine. Click to Tweet #InsideHerosHead #donnalhsmith #almostanauthor #writingromance101