Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Want to know the most important (and often overlooked) aspect of a website?

Cue the suspenseful music…

Collecting email addresses from your visitors.

That’s right, it’s not the glossy photos or the latest design trends.

In the wild world of marketing, email addresses are the shiny bars of gold.

That’s why EVERY homepage should have a strategy for collecting info from interested readers/customers/clients.

With an email database, you can stay connected with your audience without worrying about the ever-changing algorithms of social media.

cough Zuckerberg cough

But wait, how do you convince someone to hand over their precious email?

Simple. Offer them something irresistible in return.

Maybe it’s:

• A PDF

• A short story

• A coupon

• Free shipping

• Or even better, an 8x10 glossy of you in a velvet smoking jacket holding a glass of wine

Whatever it is, think about your target audience. And try to make them say, “Whoa, that’s cool.”

Now offer that for free.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing.”

— Tom Fishburne

“When you give something away for nothing, you look nice. When that something is valuable, you look authoritative and trustworthy. Win-win. Freebies help your audience trust you as an expert in your field.”

— Elise Darma

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3 Writing Questions

1. What's the most enticing freebie you've ever been offered in exchange for your email address?

2. What's the ideal way for a website to promote a freebie offer without being too pushy or intrusive?

3. Can you think of any websites that offer unique freebies?

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HAVE YOU GOT MY NEW BOOK?

A teen flees her secluded town, only to stumble into shocking events unfolding across the mountains.

Think Narnia with gears and goggles… YA fantasy meets steampunk.

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Ever thought about a character’s first line? 

It’s their initial handshake… firm and confident. Or soft and fishy.

A few reasons to give red-carpet treatment to debut lines:

• Impressions Matter
  Just like a first date or job interview, opening words set the tone. 

• Hook ‘Em Fast
  A great line can be the difference between a reader thinking, “Meh” or “More, please!” 

• Show, Don’t Tell (The Golden Rule)
  Instead of saying “Jane was sarcastic,” have her early dialogue drip with delicious sarcasm.

• Reflect Their World
  Sneak in a hint at the character’s background, social status, or setting.

Fun Exercise: Try writing five different first lines for your main characters. Which one makes you go, “Yep, that’s them!”? 

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“Well-crafted dialogue will indicate if a character is smart or dumb, honest or dishonest, amusing or an old sobersides. ”

— Stephen King

“Diction in dialogue is about so much more than the ideas your characters communicate. It’s a tool for revealing who they are, what they want, and how they feel.”

— Abi Wurdeman

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3 Writing Questions

1. Can you think of examples from books or movies where the first line left a strong impression on you?

2. How can the first line of a character contribute to their overall development throughout the story?

3. What makes a first line memorable?

A teen flees her secluded town, only to stumble into shocking events unfolding across the mountains.

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Ever watched the old Batman TV show? 

Whenever the Dynamic Duo got stuck in a life-or-death bind, somehow they found a way out with their Batweapons. 

A Batarang, anyone? How ‘bout the Batknife? Or even better yet, maybe the shark repellent Batspray (true, look it up).

As a writer, sometimes you’ll write yourself into a corner. Yes, one of those dreaded dead ends where all creativity goes to die.

Take a breath and think good thoughts. You’re gonna live through it because you have access to some amazing writer “Batweapons.” 

Here are a few:

Change the POV
Switch the perspective to another character. 

Write a dialogue-only scene
Focus solely on conversations. 

Work backward
Start from the end of the scene and work your way backward. 

Set a timer
Give yourself 10 or 15 minutes and write non-stop. 

Skip ahead
Move on to the next chapter that you’re excited about writing. 

Change the setting
If the scene feels stale, switch up the location or time of day. 

Start some conflict
Conflict is what makes people turn pages. 

Revisit character goals and obstacles
Clarifying these elements can provide a clear road ahead.

Freewrite backstory
Understanding more about character motivations and histories often provides a spark.

Ask “What if?”
Pose different “What if?” questions about the scene — sometimes the crazier, the better.

Put these tools into your Batbelt and, just like the caped crusaders, you can live to see another day.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“If you get stuck, get away from your desk. Take a walk, take a bath, go to sleep, make a pie, draw, listen to music, meditate, exercise; whatever you do, don’t just stick there scowling at the problem.”

— Hilary Mantel

“Show up, show up, show up, and after a while, the muse shows up, too.”

— Isabel Allende

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3 Writing Questions

1. How does writing a dialogue-only scene help to move a story forward?

2. How does working backward from the end of a chapter provide clarity or new ideas when you’re stuck?

3. Why is conflict so powerful in stories?

A teen flees her secluded town, only to stumble into shocking events unfolding across the mountains.

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.

Photo courtesy of Zdeněk Macháček @zmachacek

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Great authors have a knack for crafting dialogue, but let’s be real—it’s trickier than it looks.

Want a secret to make your dialogue sizzle?

Have your characters argue. 

When you fill conversations with tension, misunderstandings, and hidden agendas, your readers will devour every word.

Why? We all like to eavesdrop on juicy drama.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“Tension on a tightly suspended cable is what holds up the bridge… and it’s what makes a good novel or a good life.”

— Unknown

“Dialogue is not just words on a page, it’s the emotional tension between characters.”

— Unknown

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3 Writing Questions

1. What are some common pitfalls writers face when creating dialogue?

2. How can writers ensure that tension in dialogue remains engaging without becoming repetitive or predictable?

3. How does the setting of a conversation influence the way arguments unfold between characters?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Here’s a quick trick for developing a character. Ask yourself: if they were to carry a purse or a bag, what would be inside?

Maybe it’s lipstick. Or credit cards. But push it deeper….

What about?

A miniature harmonica
A pair of antique opera glasses
A book of poetry
A set of lock-picking tools
An opened condom pack
A set of foreign coins
A foldable boomerang
A spy pen with invisible ink
A fossilized shark tooth
A tiny brass telescope

You get the idea.

Throw one of those bad boys in there and suddenly you’ve got an interesting character.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“Respect your characters, even the minor ones. In art, as in life, everyone is the hero of their own particular story.
”

— Sarah Waters

“It’s the characters. That’s what I spend most of my time with. Once I’ve done that, character will speak to plot and story.
”

— Craig Borten

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3 Writing Questions

1. What do your characters want in the story? What are they searching for? 

2. What is standing in their way, and what are they willing to do to remove the obstacles?

3. How do your characters respond to failure, stress, and other emotional situations?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

As a writer, you’re not alone in your frustration with perfectionism. It’s a real problem for most of us who put “pen to paper.” I know, it stinks.

Here’s the secret: when you truly understand your target market, it changes the way you write. If your audience loves $10 words, then write $10 words. But if your readers prefer lean language ($1 words), then give ‘em those dollar specials.

Once you get inside the head of your target reader, the right words flow much easier.

And while we’re at it… save the heavy editing for when you’ve completely finished your first draft. Yes, your draft will be sandpaper rough. But that’s okay.

Let all your ideas flow onto the page using the creative side of your brain, then do your spelling/grammar/structure corrections by using the analytical side of your brain.

When you’re writing/creating, sometimes you must command the analytical side: “Stop! It’s not time for you yet!”

Trying to do both at the same time is like trying to clean a dog that’s rolling in the mud. Good luck with that.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“I think I did pretty well, considering I started out with nothing but a bunch of blank paper.”

— Steve Martin

“You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke. ”

— Arthur Plotnik

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3 Writing Questions

1. How do you determine target audience preferences, especially with choice of language?

2. What strategies help your ideas flow freely during the initial stages of writing?

3. Have you ever edited too early in the writing process? How did it affect your work?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

The big idea: watch out for the “weasel words” in your manuscript.

What are weasel words? Words that clutter your manuscript and/or words you repeat without realizing it.

• Weasel words show a lack of focus and may point to a narrative needing more work
  (Two main culprits: “That” and “It” — but there are plenty more: see my list of common weasel words)

• For most situations, choose active voice over passive voice
  (Passive: The dog was hugged by Suzy; Active: Suzy hugged the dog)

• Consider removing adjectives, especially the weak ones
  (Weak examples: Awesome; Good/Terrible; Big/Small; Pretty/Ugly; Tall/Short; Young/Old; Beautiful)

• Avoid the obvious phrases
  (“He clapped his hands”; “She sat in the chair”; “They stood to their feet”)

• Adverbs usually aren’t your friends
  (“I’m pregnant!” she shouted excitedly.)

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“If a novel is 100,000 words and is 99.9 percent perfect, it still contains 100 errors.”

— Alton Gansky

“Writing without revising is the literary equivalent of waltzing gaily out of the house in your underwear.”

— Patricia Fuller

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3 Writing Questions

1. What words or phrases do you repeat the most?

2. What are some exceptions to using passive voice over active voice?

3. How do you know which adjectives and adverbs to keep or lose?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

The big idea is… there are definite ways to supercharge your writing.

Yes, even if you’re a “slow” writer, you can bump up your productivity by doing some (or all) of the following:

• Outline your chapter and/or scene FIRST

• Brainstorm “must-have” words and phrases before your write

• Embrace the daily discipline of writing

• Write during your best time of day

• Choose a dedicated writing space

• Free your space from interruptions

• Consider using headphones

• Match music with a specific scene or chapter

• Set a timer

• Determine a word goal

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster.”

— Isaac Asimov

“Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

— Jane Yolen

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3 Writing Questions

1. How can outlining increase your writing speed?

2. How does a daily writing discipline help speed up your writing?

3. How does a dedicated writing space help supercharge your writing process?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Writing can often feel like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, with ideas not always fitting neatly in order.

Enter Scrivener, your software sidekick that does more than help you write a book… you’ll build a story.

Imagine a digital workshop where you can:

📁 Organize every idea, image, and doc in ONE place
🔄 Drag, drop, and shuffle sections fluidly
📚 Juggle between your manuscript and character bios simultaneously

Regret making a bold edit? No sweat! With Scrivener’s Snapshots, revisit older versions and keep your literary gem safe.

And remember the good ol' days of index cards on storyboard walls? Now you can go digital – in the corkboard feature.

Need to format files for digital or print? Easy-peasy. From name generators to laser-focused writing with Focus Mode, Scrivener is every writer's dream.

And… myth-busting time. Scrivener isn't hard. Give yourself an hour. Dive in and push buttons. You’ll be up and running in no time.

Crafting your masterpiece just got a lot easier.

Hop over to literatureandlatte.com for a free trial and tutorials.

*By the way, I’m not a Scrivener salesperson or affiliate. I just dig the software.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.

”

— Jodi Picoult

“There is a ruthlessness to the creative act. It often involves a betrayal of the status quo.”

— Alan Watt

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3 Writing Questions

1. What are the fundamental differences between merely writing a book and building a story?

2. What writing advantages come with the ability to organize every idea, image, and document in one place?

3. How does the concept of a "digital workshop" redefine traditional writing methods?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Photo courtesy of Hannah Olinger @hannaholinger

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Did you know certain paint colors, especially dark grey, can boost the selling price of a house? True! (and verified by my home appraiser wife)

Now imagine your book as a freshly primed wall. The paint color is your writing style, which ties into your point of view (POV).

POV serves as the heartbeat of your writing voice. And mastering your voice is like picking the perfect paint shade.

So, you've got options:

1st person: use "I" and "we," giving that cozy, in-my-shoes feel.

2nd person: use the daring "you," drawing readers directly into the action.

3rd person: use “he,” “she,” “it,” and “they,” for a bird’s-eye view.

Choosing the right POV comes down to what feels most natural. The best writers go invisible, making readers forget about them. But making that look effortless is the toughest part.

Once you've picked a POV, stay in that lane. Don’t mix and merge. And if considering multiple character POVs, go for it! But tread carefully—too many voices can be a crowd.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.
”

— Harper Lee

“Every story has already been told… there is really no reason to ever write another novel. Except that each writer brings to the table, if she will let herself, something that no one else in the history of time has ever had.”

— Anna Quindlen

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3 Writing Questions

1. Why do you think it's important for writers to "go invisible"? What benefits does this bring to a story?

2. In what situations might a writer choose multiple character POVs, and what are the risks in that choice?

3. What is your favorite book written in 1st person? 3rd? What genres best support 2nd person?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Photo courtesy of Brad Neathery @bradneathery

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

As a kid, I devoured all the Encyclopedia Brown books, numerous times.

But… I can’t remember one single plot point. They faded quickly with time.

However, I do recall how Encyclopedia, the boy detective, was so smart and how Bugs Meany, the villain, was so mean. I’ve carried those memories for decades.

Same thing goes for Gilligan’s Island, the Brady Bunch, and the Jack Reacher books. The stories escape me, but man, I love the characters.

I’m guessing most people, like me, remember characters more than plot lines. That’s why, when you’re writing your story, wrestle this question to the ground: What Makes My Protagonist Special?

Is he/she/it… Smart? Sarcastic? Using magic powers? Artistic? Able to leap tall buildings? Good with a whip and a gun?

Writing jump-off-the-page characters starts with knowing their unique personality. Maybe they’re extroverted. Or introverted. Perhaps they’re an Enneagram #3. Or #8. Maybe they’re a Myers Briggs ENFJ.

Once you nail that down, take your beloved cast and then put ‘em through hell. That's right, conflict forges great characters.

Which brings up another question you should answer: Why Does Your Villain Hate Your Antagonist? Oh, that’s a good one.

Writing unforgettable characters is the engine that drives your story, even more than clever plot devices.

Looking at you, Marcia Brady.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“When I’m creating characters, I definitely think of theme songs. Writing for me is very visual, so I sometimes think of it in terms of a movie with a soundtrack, and try to transfer that to words.”

— Marisha Pessl

“In truth, the secret to all characterization for me is expressible in two maxims: Every character is the hero of his own story, and You don’t write characters, you write relationships.”

— Orson Scott Card

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3 Writing Questions

1. How do you create characters that don’t all sound exactly like you?

2. What are your strategies for creating sympathy for certain characters?

3. What process do you use in developing the personality of your characters?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Photo courtesy of Gift Habeshaw @gift_habeshaw

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Consider writing your first draft in longhand instead of at the computer.

Yeah, that means actually writing-writing. I can hear you screaming now: “What?! Are you nuts? I type faster than I write!” 

That’s true for me, too. But I argue, ahem, there’s something downright magical about putting pen to paper. 

There, I said it.

To me, staring at a screen seems sterile. Computer keys, blinking cursor, word processor. All that’s missing is a doctor’s exam glove. But writing on paper unleashes the creative muse, that invisible fairy creature who sprinkles pixie dust on your frontal lobe and makes your literary loins do a breakdance. Or something like that.

Writing in longhand also limits those dang distractions. With paper, there aren’t notification bleeps for social media and email. You’re not staring at a clock in the corner of the screen. You’re not tempted to visit YouTube and watch adorable dogs on escalators. (alright… go ahead, I know you want to look)

And yes, while certain programs allow a distraction-free view, I don’t trust myself. No, sir. It’s too easy to move my cursor and chase a rogue thought down the internet bunny trail, like, “Hmmm… what years did Tim Conway appear on the Carol Burnett Show?” Yeah, I actually did that. 

Writing on paper also encourages deeper thinking. That extra second or two to scribble a word clears needed room in your brain receptors, and sometimes those little neuron spaces can explode a spark of clarity about your character or theme. Compare that with fancy-pants typing. On a keyboard, you’ll go faster, yes, but beware the temptation of pesky mechanics — you know, the font, the formatting, the spellcheck, those squigglies under bad grammar.

But let’s not forget that paper also allows for fantastical doodling. The free flow of your pen/pencil in the margins, or coloring outside the lines, letting your imagination run wild, crossing things out, and adding notes in the margin. It’s all about staying playful in your writing. Longhand isn’t efficient, and that’s the beauty of it. When you’re stuck, you can draw pictures of a horse with a man’s head, or an alien spaceship, or practice your signature for when you become a celebrity. 

So here’s your big money sentence: the computer screen feels like an examination table whereas a sheet of paper is a sandbox. 

Alas, it comes down to personal preference. But if you haven’t held a writing device between your fingers since third grade, give it a try again. It may surprise you.

Now excuse me, I’m off to sharpen my #2 pencil.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“While you can easily see your word count and page count while typing in a word processing program, there is something magical in seeing the physical accumulation of pages as you create them. Writing longhand in a notebook allows you to see yourself creating page after page of your work. I have found that seeing a stack of handwritten pages serves as motivation, as it shows me what I have already done and that I have the ability to do even more.”

— Ran Walker from article "Back to Basics: Benefits of Writing With a Pen & Notebook"

“I write my novels longhand. I love the feeling of writing; I love to see pen on paper. It feels more creative than typing, and it’s a more visual process for me – I can picture the entire scene in my head and am merely writing what I see.”

— Cecelia Ahern

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3 Writing Questions

1. What benefits have you found in writing a story in longhand?

2. Do you have a favorite type of pen/pencil/paper?

3. Until recent history, books were written by hand. Do you feel it’s a logical argument that the best books in history were written apart from computers?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Photo courtesy of Steve Johnson @steve_j

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Peanut butter and jelly. McCartney and Lennon. C-3PO and R2-D2.

Those are historic pairings. But what about…. AI and Writing?

Uhh… how does that work? Writing relies on human expression and unique ideas. How can the robot overlords do that? They already are. From spell check and Grammarly to editing software and content generators, AI has invaded the literary world. And yep, it’s here to stay.

What does this mean for the future of writing? Will bots replace authors? Sound the alarms!

Hold up. Maybe we should change our perspective. Instead of viewing AI as a threat, add it as a valuable tool in your toolbox.

Think of it as your junior writing assistant. It’s always there to help you experiment, find blind spots, and become a better storyteller. And the best part? It saves you time, so you can tell more stories.

Yes, change is scary. But sometimes it’s revolutionary. AI isn’t your Voldemort. It’s your tireless collaborator. Try using it to your advantage and see what happens. Perhaps your writing will flourish in ways you never imagined.

AI and Writing. Maybe a pairing, after all.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“AI is a tool. The choice about how it gets deployed is ours. ”

— Oren Etzioni

“If you’re scared of artificial intelligence, you should know it’s already everywhere.”

— Rob Verger

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3 Writing Questions

1. Why do you embrace AI in your writing? Why are you against it?

2. How do you use AI while sharpening your own creativity and craft?

3. What is your favorite writing AI to use?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Photo courtesy of Manoj kumar kasirajan @manoj25

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Imagine standing in a kitchen, the air thick with sizzling garlic and fragrant herbs. You feel a surge of excitement. Tonight's meal will be a masterpiece.

You glance at the countertop and see an array of fresh vegetables, plump meats, and a rainbow of spices. But before you can start cooking, you need to get organized. With a deep breath, you lay out each ingredient, inspecting them like a jeweler examining precious gems.

You slide on the chef’s hat, and the world around you falls away. You're in the zone, moving with grace as you braise, steam, and blanch your way to perfection. It's as if each menu item speaks to you, telling you how it wants to be prepared.

As a writer, you know that creativity is much like cooking. You need to have a full palette of ideas before creating something truly magical.

Outlining is like organizing your ingredients – it helps you identify juicy elements and arrange them in a delicious way.

By using both a macro and micro 3-act framework, you can bake scenes and chapters that are as fulfilling as a perfectly cooked meal. For instance: What is the catalyst event setting your characters in motion? What conflicts will they face? And most importantly, How will they overcome them?

When you think in terms of beginning, middle, and end, it can unleash creativity like Julia Child whipping up a masterful Boeuf Bourguignon.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“The beginning isn’t simply the first in a series of events, but the originating event of all that follows. The middle isn’t just the next event, but the story’s central struggle. And the ending isn’t just the last event, but the culminating event.”

— Steven James

“The scariest moment is always just before you start. ”

— Stephen King

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3 Writing Questions

1. How do you approach writing a chapter?

2. What are your proven practices for writing faster?

3. How does the structure of your chapters fit into your overall story structure?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Photo courtesy of Eliott Reyna @eliottreyna

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

What genre do you want to write in? Fantasy? Romance? Historical Christian Sci-Fi Action & Adventure?

Hold the horses for a sec. Before you grab parchment and pen, make sure you know that genre. And how do you figure out a specific lit type? BY READING IT.

I know, it sounds like common sense. But sometimes in excitement, it’s easy to ignore the masters who already paved the trail. If I’m writing a mystery, I need a coffee date with Agatha Christie. If it’s epic fantasy, I need to sit with Mr. Tolkien. You get the idea. Learn how they work their magic by peeking behind the curtains.

But here’s the other reason: when you’re familiar with a genre, you'll avoid overused tropes. What’s a trope? A frequently used plot device. For example: The Chosen One; The dream sequence; Waking up to the sound of the alarm, etc… What might seem original to you might be waaay overused. The more you read, the more original you will be.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“If you know the most common devices in your genre, write them down and use them to create small twists or turns that take the story new places within the boundaries.”

— Sue Weems

“There are patterns, tropes, memes and attributes common to certain genres, and you need to know as much about them as possible, if you want to follow, reverse or break those conventions.”

— Scott Myers

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3 Writing Questions

1. In what genre are you writing?
   If you had to choose from this list, which would you choose? Thriller, Fantasy, Action, Drama, Family, Comedy, Horror, Science Fiction

2. Who are the best-selling/most-respected authors in your genre?

3. What are the most common tropes in that genre?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

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About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.