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My life is full and overflowing! My son is moving to Denver to go to school. I’m traveling and speaking a lot this month: see the Highlights picture book retreat and the Eastern PA SCBWI conference. In the midst of lots of busyness, how do you keep your focus on writing?
I’m taking a class.
Athletes stay in shape with zumba classes. Authors stay in shape with writing classes.
Especially when I’m busy, I like to take an online class because it gives me structure and makes me stay focused on the writing. Accountability is always a good thing; it’s crucial when days are swamped with non-writing activities.
Classes Give Thinking Points. Often when life is busy it’s because I’m traveling, which involves lots of down time. Sitting on a plane or in a car, there’s time to think. Some of you may actually be able to work in that situation, but I can’t. I’ll read a book about writing, publishing or general business, but I can’t really produce anything. Thinking, though, is often overlooked when I’m in a really creative mood and pouring out words. I find that thinking is a good use of travel time. Often, a book is enough. But when I can find a challenging class–delivered by email or an online video class–it keeps me learning.
Classes Give Challenges. Classes also give me a challenge. I look for topics, genres, strategies that challenge me to think in a different way, to try a different process, or even turn everything in my writing world upside down. I want to learn how someone else thinks about story, or how they create characters.
Sure, I teach classes. At heart, I’m a teacher; whenever I hear new information, my first instinct is to try to make it easier for the next person to comprehend, and most important for me, to apply it in a practical manner.
However, I am also a student. If I’m not stretching myself and learning more about my craft and my profession, then I stagnate. This month, when I’m off to teach at the Highlights Foundation, I’m also taking a class. It’s a perfect balance for me.
Find out more about Darcy’s Online Video Courses.
I am considering adding new online courses this fall.
NOW AVAILABLE! 30 Days to a Stronger Novel Online Video Course
The course is now live on Udemy.com!
Each day includes:
- A quote that inspires
- Short, practical instruction from Darcy on a specific topic
- A simple “Walk the Talk” action to take
Over the course of the month, you’ll receive the entire text of Darcy’s book, 30 Days to a Stronger Novel (November, 2014 release).
We can’t guarantee that you’ll end the month with a publishable novel; but we can guarantee it will be a STRONGER novel.
We can’t guarantee a publishable novel; but we can guarantee a STRONGER NOVEL!
Sign up now and receive $5 discount. Use this code: 5OFF30Days
VIDEO COURSE TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Watership Down with Armadillos: Titles
- Search Me: Subtitles
- Defeat Interruptions: Chapter Divisions
- Scarlett or Pansy: The Right Character Name
- My Wound is Geography: Stronger Settings
- Horse Manure: Stronger Setting Details
- Weaklings: Every Character Must Matter
- Take Your Character’s Pulse
- Yin-Yang: Connecting Emotional and Narrative Arcs
- Owls and Foreigners: Unique Character Dialogue
- Sneaky Shoes: Inner and Outer Character Qualities
- Friends or Enemies: Consistent Character Relationships
- Set Up the Ending: Begin at the Beginning
- Bang, Bang! Ouch! Scene Cuts
- Go Away! Take a Break
- Power Abs for Novels
- White Rocks Lead Me Home: Epiphanies
- The Final Showdown
- One Year Later: Tie up Loose Ends
- Great Deeds: Find Your Theme
- The Wide, Bright Lands: Theme Affects Setting
- Raccoons, Owls, and Billy Goats: Theme Affects Characters
- Side Trips: Choosing Subplots
- Of Parties, Solos, and Friendships: Knitting Subplots Together
- Feedback: Types of Critiquers
- Feedback: What You Need from Readers
- Stay the Course
- Please Yourself First
- The Best Job I Know to Do
- Live. Read. Write.
Discount Code
Sign up now and receive $5 discount. Use this code: 5OFF30Days
As you may know Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers hosts the International Plot Writing Month, also known as PlotWriMo.
Last year, to celebrate PlotWriMo's 5th birthday, I offered a free
Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises to Help You Write a Compelling Story every week during December to the person who tweets the most messages using the hash tag #plotwrimo for that week. I enjoyed the campaign and appreciated everyone's help getting the word out so much last year, I believe I'll do the same giveaway this year, too.
PlotWriMo came about to help writers who take part in
NaNoWriMo and find at the end of November they are left with a whole lot of words that do not always add up to much.
International Plot Writing Month now includes any writer interested in seeing your novel, memoir, screenplay in a new light, who needs a boost and a restored belief in your story to once again be productive writing, wants to deepen your craft of writing and creating dramatic action, compelling characters and thematic significance and longs to stay connected to your writing life even through the chaotic holiday season.
PlotWriMo annually spans the entire month of December for writers who have a draft of a novel, memoir, screenplay and are wondering, now what? Every December for the past five years
PlotWriMo on the Plot Whisperer blog has been dedicated to answering that question for all writers ready for a major revision.
PlotWriMo is a chance to re
vision and redefine the plot arch of your project before actually rewriting the manuscript. (This also works for writers without a first draft. Whether you merely have an idea for a story, a few chapters or scenes, just tweak the assignments to make them work for wherever you are in the process.)
Writers follow the blog from all over the world everyday every December for plot tips and tricks and inspiration beginning Dec. 1st to shape their words into a compelling story.
No writing is required. Instead, you'll step back and consider the overall structure and plot of your story, push aside the words and analyze the characters and dramatic action and thematic significance you have written to craft the project into a coherent piece worthy of publication. Brainstorm for an effortless draft two in the new year.
Have an idea for a novel?
A draft of your screenplay?
Think you've finished the final draft of your memoir?
Wondering, now what?
Everyday, a manageable new assignment tailor-made for the busiest month of the year.
Day-by-day, scene-by-scene, step-by-step tips and tricks and inspiration beginning Dec. 1st.
No writing required.
Craft a draft of your work into a novel, memoir, screenplay in a month’s time.
Who: Anyone who has written a draft of a novel, memoir, or screenplay and is now ready to craft the project into a coherent piece worthy of publication.
Why: The first draft of any writing project is considered the generative phase. The muse is often responsible for much of the generative phase. The writer acts as a conduit and allows the inspiration to come through onto the page. The generative phase is all about getting the words on the page.
At the end of the generative phase, a writer is often faced with a manuscript full of holes and missteps, confusion and chaos. This is part of the process in that editing in the generative phase risks stifling the muse, which often results in stagnation.
When a writer completes the generative phase the real work begins—crafting the words into a coherent story. This is where
International Plot Writing Month comes into play.
Many writers, when left with pages and pages of words, are often at a loss as to how to take their writing to the next level. Rather than shove the words about on the page, join the Plot Whisperer as she takes you through the process of crafting what you have into a viable story.
When: International Plot Writing Month begins every December 1st to prepare writers for a major rewrite come 1/1/14.
Where: Plot Whisperer blog: http://plotwhisperer.com/
I hope you'll take part in PlotWriMo come December 1st.
Also, if you'd like to plot your novel, memoir or screenplay, The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of the Universal Story Structure Any Writer Can Master.
For a video recap of PlotWriMo :
To prepare for PlotWriMo and familiarize yourself with the Universal Story and the basic plot terms we'll be using throughout December:
6) Watch the Monday Morning Plot Book Group Series on YouTube. Scroll down on the right of this post for a directory the book examples and plot elements discussed.
For more tips about how to use plot and the Universal Story in your novel, memoir or screenplay,
visit:Plot Whisperer on Pinterest
Do you need to revise something this month? I do! I have a MG novel that I need to go through (again!) and then send it in.
Summer Revision Smackdown: Revision Accountability
So, I’m heading over to Jolie Steckly’s and Holly Cupola’s blogs for their Summer Revision Smackdown (Powered by Licorice, Bum-glue, and You).
It’s easy.
You just post your goals for revising during the month of June.
Then, you report your progress every Friday or Saturday.
That’s it.
The prizes? Besides solid progress toward your revision goal? You need more than that?
Jolie and Holly make promises:
At the end of June, Holly and Jolie will give one Smackdowner THE WHIPLASH AWARD for excellence in revision during the month of June. And that just might come with a cuppa something and your own personal licorice memento.
Hey, I’m in. All except one thing: licorice. I do not like licorice, so I’m donating mine to charity. Any suggestions for a worthy cause?
Post from: Revision Notes
Revise Your Novel!
Copyright 2009. Darcy Pattison. All Rights Reserved.
Related posts:
- Writing AND Revising Your Novel
- 5 Summer Projects for Writers
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