by Stephanie Dethlefs | May 23, 2023 | Book Coaching, First Draft, How to write a novel, Mindset, Planning your book, Plot development, writing craft
If you are writing your novel at all, you are doing it right. There is no “right” way to write a novel…so please stop searching for it. Transcript: Stephanie (00:06):Hello Writers. Now, some of you may have heard me talk before about the debacle that was our first few...
by Stephanie Dethlefs | May 18, 2023 | First Draft, How to write a novel, Planning your book, Plot development, writing craft
The effectiveness of a novel is a pretty subjective thing, and there are many skills and strategies involved. But there are three pieces that, if they are in place, create a solid foundation for a novel. In this video, we explore those three pieces: a point,...
by Stephanie Dethlefs | May 16, 2023 | First Draft, How to write a novel, Planning your book, Plot development, writing craft
One month into the Covid lockdown of 2020, our family decided to get a puppy. (Actually…I decided, convinced my husband, and surprised the kids.) Things to know: We’d never had a dog before. I had no idea what I was doing. I thought it would be easier than it was. ...
by Stephanie Dethlefs | May 10, 2023 | Character Development, First Draft, How to write a novel, Planning your book, Plot development, writing craft
Who is one of your favorite fictional characters? [I’ll give you a minute to think.] Once you’ve named one, I’d like you to take a minute and think of three ways you would describe the character. Try to only use one of them as a physical descriptor. And…go! (I’ll...
by Stephanie Dethlefs | Mar 29, 2023 | Book Coaching, First Draft, How to write a novel, Planning your book, Plot development, writing craft
In the pilot episode of the television show Lost, which aired in 2004, main character Jack opens his eyes to discover that he has survived a plane crash and is currently surrounded by chaos. He immediately jumps up and into action, helping other survivors. Once things...
by Stephanie Dethlefs | Feb 1, 2023 | Accountability, Character Development, First Draft, Planning your book, Plot development, writing craft
I know what it feels like to be at the beginning of writing a novel. It’s thrilling. And also… 😱 overwhelming. 😱 confusing. 😱 full of self-doubt. Writing a novel is a big job, and we often think we have to have all of the pieces in place first. 🤔 We think we should...