How-To Write Lesson 8: Midpoint

In previous lessons we talked about the opening image of your story, stating the theme, setting-up your main character's journey, the catalyst and debate. Then, we broke into Act 2, covered the B-story and characters, plus had lots of fun and games along they way. We traversed all of that just to get to the …

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How-To Write Lesson 7: Fun and Games

Welcome to lesson 7 in our Save The Cat beat sheet series on story structure: beat 8! Beat 8 is called fun and games and it involves multiple scenes. It also runs through 1/3 of your novel. Yeah, it is big and important. It takes place throughout the 20-to-50% mark in your story. And just …

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How-To Build Characters Worth Reading About

This a post that has been on my mind for some time. Though my recent posts have focused solely on the Save The Cat Beat Sheet formula for building a narrative, the most vital part of any writers narrative is character. Let's dive in! The Why's and Types Why use archetypes? you might be wondering. …

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How-To Write Lesson 5: Break Into 2

Welcome back to my writing series on the Save The Cat storytelling structure! So far in this series, we have covered Narrative Structures, Opening Image, Theme and Set-Up, the finally, the Catalyst and Debate. In last week's post, we ended on Debate, the final beat (a scene or several scenes that move the narrative forward) …

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How-To Write Lesson 4: Catalyst and Debate

Sorry about the delay in posting. Sometimes life happens and we just have to go with the flow. Speaking of flow... This week's section of Save the Cat's structure for storytelling covers the Catalyst and debate. They are two separate points of story which go hand-in-hand. Before we get into it, here are a few …

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How-To Write Lesson 2: Opening Image

Welcome back! It's time for the second lesson in the how-to write series. This week we are looking at the opening image, the first beat in your story. You can find some great info and graphics here, at the Save The Cat website that can help if you feel lost. If you haven't visited yet, …

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Resources for Writers

I don't know about you, but I have been spending my time trying to catch up on writing. Usually, my writing is in the form of novels, but I am still learning as much as I can about the art of screenwriting. And you know what I've learned? Even if a writer is not interested …

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How To: Build Your Pitch (or Logline)

Writing your pitch is harder than writing the book but it doesn't have to be. With this basic...

How To: Build Your Pitch (or Logline)

Writing your pitch is harder than writing the book but it doesn't have to be. With this basic...

Part 4: How-To Find the “Flow”

Welcome to part 4 of my How-To Blog series on writing! This week's post is on finding your "flow." And remember how I promised links to other great writing resources? Well, this weeks' post is borrowed/reposted from one of them, Writers Digest.  It's super detailed--very educational-- and there's no way I could make it any …

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