The 7 Basic Plots: Bonus Plots!

bonus

So we went through Christopher Booker’s seven basic plots, and maybe you’re feeling a little sad. What’s left? That surely can’t be all!

You’re in luck. It’s not.

  Read More

5 Writers Transformed By the Power of Community

The Story Cartel Course

First, just a quick heads up, The Story Cartel Course closes tonight at 11:59 pm. When it re-opens in several months, the price will likely be higher. If you’d like to join our writing community, you can learn more and sign up here.

Community is a powerful and under-appreciated  tool. Jim Rohn famously said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” The people around you can either make you better or worse.

I created the Story Cartel Course with a question: how do you create a writing community that makes all its members better? How do you transform people with the power of community?

  Read More

How to Fall In Love With Writing Again

I love my typewriter

Do you ever feel burned out, not just on writing but on life? That’s how I felt earlier this week.

How do you fall in love with writing again, especially when writing is your job?

Earlier this week, after checking my email for the 452nd time that day, I tried again to write the article I had been putting off. I couldn’t write another word. I stared into space for six minutes, and while I stared, I made a realization.

I realized I had a whole lot of things I had to write, but I was putting off the things I wanted to write.

  Read More

Four Ways to Find Writing Time

Word camp

Something is always going to get between you and writing. If you don’t make writing a priority, it’s going to be ousted from your day.

  Read More

Cull [words on wednesdays]

delete

PRACTICE

Practice for five minutes using the word cull often. When you’re fin­ished, post your prac­tice in the com­ments section.
Also, extra credit if you use the word of the week in your daily practice!

  Read More

The 7 Basic Plots: Comedy

Sponge Bob in NYC

I’ve recently gotten my roommates to watch Arrested Development with me, which is great because Netflix released the new season a couple weeks ago (which I still haven’t watched), so the three of us are working through the first three seasons together. We’re pretty much all snickering through each episode. But that’s the whole point of comedy, right?

Welcome to the last of the seven basic plots: the Comedy.

  Read More

Where Does Writing Come From?

writing, notes

‘I don’t know what I think until I write about it’. The first time I heard this statement, it sounded a bit ridiculous. Then I heard many other variations of it, and it got me thinking.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized it does make sense.

  Read More

7 Green-Light Steps to Write for TV

writing for television

Writing for television is very different to writing a novel.

Of course plot is still important, along with character development, drama, conflict, and resolution. But dealing with a visual medium presents a whole new set of challenges.

If you have a big idea for a TV show, the seven steps below will help you write a script that connects with a tv audience, and may even get a green light from a network executive!

  Read More

How to Publish Your Book and Sell Your First 1,000 Copies

Publish First Book

Today’s post is brought to you by the Story Cartel Course, which is launching on Monday. To receive free lessons and deepen your understanding of the writing and publishing process, sign up here.

I work with a lot of writers, and by far the most frustrated, disappointed, and confused writers I work with aren’t the ones chasing the publication of their first book. It’s the ones who have already published their first book.

How do you publish your book and sell your first 1,000 copies?

  Read More

How to Keep Writing When No One is Reading

Writing When No One is Reading

How do you continue believing you have a message worth telling, when no one seems to want to listen?

How do you justify all the hours spent alone working on your craft, when the rapidly slamming doors all seem to say, “Keep your day job!”

I’ve wrestled with these doubts for years. If you have too, I’m honored that I have the opportunity to help you ease this frustration and amplify your message.

  Read More