Category Archives: Writing Tools

Identifying Plot Gaps in Your Novel

I’ve been continuing with my review of my draft novel. I fully believed I had completed it from a plot perspective. Much to my chagrin, a review for editing has shown a big gap in the story. Here’s what happened. As part of the review I have begun, I created a tally of the majorContinue reading “Identifying Plot Gaps in Your Novel”

Navigating Writing Challenges: Tips for Revising Your Manuscript

I’ve been off of writing for a couple of weeks due to company visiting around the holidays. One reason I pushed to complete my NaNoWriMo well before the end of November was to give me the breathing room to prepare for guest. After taking a break, I’ve gone back into my work in progress andContinue reading “Navigating Writing Challenges: Tips for Revising Your Manuscript”

NaNoWriMo: Week Three

Victory! I’m participating in NaNoWriMo this year. I’m focusing on finishing the first draft of my work in progress, tentatively titled Technomancer. I’ve shared some of the character background and opening chapters of the work here as well. This week, I reached my goal of 50,000 words in the month, reaching 50,091 on Nov 20th.Continue reading “NaNoWriMo: Week Three”

NaNoWriMo: Week Two

I’m participating in NaNoWriMo this year. I’m focusing on finishing the first draft of my work in progress, tentatively titled Technomancer. I’ve shared some of the character background and opening chapters of the work here as well. This week, my pace has fallen some, but I’m still ahead with a planned completion date of NovContinue reading “NaNoWriMo: Week Two”

NaNoWriMo Update : First Week

I’m participating in NaNoWriMo this year. I’m focusing on finishing the first draft of my work in progress, tentatively titled Technomancer. I’ve shared some of the character background and opening chapters of the work here earlier as well. I’m pleased to share that one week into the challenge, I am 170% ahead of my plannedContinue reading “NaNoWriMo Update : First Week”

Flash Fiction: Applying the MICE Model

I mentioned previously that I’ve been watching Brandon Sanderson’s lectures on writing Science Fiction and Fantasy at BYU. Lecture #7 features a guest lecturer, Mary Robinette Kowal. In the lecture, she covers the MICE quotient and has the class apply it to a piece of flash fiction. This struck me as a perfect writing exerciseContinue reading “Flash Fiction: Applying the MICE Model”

Architect or Gardner?

Brandon Sanderson’s Writing Science Fiction & Fantasy lectures at BYU highlight two main approaches to writing: Architects, who meticulously plan their stories, and Gardeners, who let their ideas organically develop. While many writers exhibit traits from both categories, Sanderson encourages experimenting with different styles to discover what works best for each individual.

Writing Exercises: Leveraging Ulysses

After drafting my writing exercises workbook (available for free to subscribers), I started using a new writing tool called Ulysses. This isn’t a review or plug for the app, but simply an exploration of how I’m doing my own writing exercises within it and some of my observations about using this new writing tool. WhileContinue reading “Writing Exercises: Leveraging Ulysses”