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 11, 2023 | First Draft, How to write a novel, Planning your book, writing craft
How do we create characters that are nuanced and complex without being stereotypical, flat, or strange caricatures of themselves? The key is to know them. Like, really know them. Recommended reading: How to Plan a Character Arc Transcript: Stephanie (00:07):Hello...
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 | Apr 27, 2023 | Book Coaching, First Draft, How to write a novel, Planning your book, writing craft
Is your narrator looking back on the story with the benefit of perspective? Or is the narrator moving through time along with the events of the story? In this video, we look at all of the places a narrator can be standing (and the advantages and drawbacks to each) so...
by Stephanie Dethlefs | Apr 25, 2023 | Audience, Book Coaching, First Draft, How to write a novel, Planning your book, writing craft
You know that feeling when you walk into a room full of people and there are several different conversations going on? Or when you come downstairs to find that your video game-playing teenager forgot to put on his headphones in one room while your spouse is watching...
