Blog Posts
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Write a Novel in 90 Days: July Check-in
The challenge is officially two-thirds of the way over now, so it’s time for another check-in. Can I write a novel in 90 days? Back in May, I announced that I would be taking on the challenge of writing my next novel in 90 days to prove that it’s possible to start and finish a…
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How to Make the Most of Parkinson’s Law with Your Writing
How long does it take you to do the work you set out to do? Productivity experts have long held that we do the amount of work we tell ourselves that we’re able to do in a given time. One of the most influential adages in this realm is Parkinson’s Law, coined in The Economist in the…
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How to Plan to Get Your Writing Done (Without the Stress!)
Magic bullets don’t exist in the realm of writing. No matter what else might change with each passing day, the goal is still the same: put words on the page. You can prioritize tasks, monitor your work performance, and try every single productivity tip on the market. There are no hacks for how to plan…
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How to Use the Power of Pixar Storytelling for Beginners in 6 Plot Points
Arguably some of the best creative films have come out of Pixar’s labs: Inside Out, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Toy Story. Everyone has a Pixar movie that they absolutely love regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or background. Pixar harnesses the power of master storytellers to impart some kind of wisdom to the audience. But what…
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What Every Successful Beginning Requires
Last week, we covered my secret to writing introductions that stick in the minds of readers, and it involved not being too precious with your words (you can view the blog about my 3X Rule here). But that doesn’t tell you exactly what your story needs for a successful beginning. What needs to be present at…
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The 3X Rule to Find the Perfect Entry Point to Your Story
Is there anything harder than looking at the blank page and wishing that you had more talent, ideas, and inspiration to pen an incredible opening sentence? The blankness of the page in front of you can leave you feeling trapped, unable to forge ahead with what you want to say. Don’t let yourself fall victim…
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How to Write a Manuscript for a Novel: 5 Tips to Face a Blank Page
Maybe you decided that you want to commit to a 90-day novel (or another timeline that works best for your writing speed and available time). Whether it’s your first book or your fifteenth, writers are constantly seeking advice to save themselves time on the revision and rewriting process that comes after the manuscript is finished. …
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Write a Novel in 90 Days: June Check-in
A little while ago, I proposed a challenge: I would write a novel in 90 days. You can read more about that project here (or visit this post for a sneak peek at what I’m working on). It’s time to check in and see how the novel writing is coming and whether I’m on track to cross the finish…
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What’s the Best POV to Write a Novel In?
When you start writing a book, it’s likely because you have characters who are speaking to you. The question is: how do you go about telling their story? To complicate matters, there are no wrong answers for how you portray them. The best POV to write a novel in is the one that serves your…
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How Long Does It Take to Write a Novel?
An aspiring writer wants a simple answer to one of life’s greatest mysteries: how long does it take to write a novel? The problem is that there are no simple answers for how long you can spend on your novel writing – and even fewer answers for those working on a nonfiction book that requires…