Ways to Write Smarter (not harder)

Are you working on the rough draft of your novel and feeling like you might be spinning your wheels? Do you have a great story idea, but no clear roadmap? ⁠Never fear. There's a way forward. ⁠ ⁠

Using these simple but effective tips can help get both you and your story focused. ⁠ ⁠

1) Get clear on your point

• What are you trying to say about the human condition? What do you want the reader to take away by the end?

2) Identify POV

• Ask yourself whose story you're telling, and make sure it's reflected in both point of view and narration.

3) Identify the arc of change

• Brainstorm your character's arc of change; who are they at the beginning of the story versus at the end?

4) Create a plot timeline

• Map out big events, and don't forget to consider both internal and external factors.

5) Include cause-and-effect

• Sketch out scenes that have a cause-and-effect trajectory (formula: Because THIS happens, then THAT happens next).

As both an author and book coach, I can tell you it's usually never about the story idea. It's the structure - the way in which you are telling it - that sometimes gets in the way of progress.⁠ ⁠

If you're able to fine tune each of these elements, you can go out and write your best work yet.⁠