Tag Archives: free writing guide

New PDF: Character Arcs!

This entry is part 10 of 11 in the series character arcs

Yep, I have character arcs on the brain. It happens every time I finish a book and think about how I can better align the internal journey and external plot climaxes. (I think I have it for this last one. Still have to hammer out the details.)

Since we revisited character arcs last week, it seemed like the perfect time to compile the PDF of the series, including last week’s post. Even though I didn’t look back at the original series as I was writing the new post, I was surprised at how well the new material meshed, expanding on some topics I mention in passing.

So if you’re having trouble figuring out how to found, form or finish your character’s emotional journey, check out the PDF version of Character Arcs!

More free PDF writing guides.

Photo by Riccardo Romano

New PDF Guide: Emotion: it’s tough

This entry is part 14 of 14 in the series Emotion: it's tough

When I figured out which series were the tops in 2011, I suddenly realized how long it’s been since I put together one of my series into PDF format (hint: years). Plus, it’s my husband’s and my second anniversary of our first kiss. I wanted to celebrate, but I can’t really take you all to dinner. So I made you something instead. (Ten guesses what it is!)

I’m starting with the most popular of last year’s series: Emotion: it’s tough. Portraying emotion in fiction isn’t easy—but an emotional experience is exactly why readers buy and read books. Using that emotion makes your writing more powerful—when it’s done right.

Emotion might be a double black diamond ski slope, but it doesn’t have to be treacherous terrain in your writing. Hard work, perhaps always. But impossible? Nope!

So check out the free PDF version of the series Emotion: it’s tough!

More free PDF writing guides.

Photo by Peter Dutton

G is for free writing guides

So we just finished the emotion series here. I like doing blog series on skills I’m trying to develop or improve in my writing. In the past, I’ve assembled these into PDFs to make them convenient.

Creating Character Sympathy

free creating character sympathy guide

Free PDF guide to creating character sympathy
(original blog series on creating character sympathy)

Deep POV

Free Deep POV guide
Free PDF Guide to Deep POV—with bonus resources not found in the blog series!
(original blog Deep POV series)

Aspiring Author Websites

free website guide
Free PDF Guide to Aspiring Author Websites—with advice from the aspiring author website series and advice from website reviews by Kathleen MacIver and me, assembled to apply more generally.

The Plot Thickens (mwahahaha!)


Free PDF of The Plot Thickens (mwahahaha)—with bonus resources not found in the blog series!
(from the blog series)

I’ve gotten out of this habit, and it’ll probably be a little while before I can even begin to catch up, but one day I hope to have all my series in PDF format.

What series would you like to see next?

Free PDF guide for the Plot Thickens

This entry is part 21 of 24 in the series The plot thickens (Mwahahaha)

plotthickensOur blog series on plotting was well-timed to get us prepared for NaNo (even though I’m not participating).

Ready to review our whirlwind tour through the hows and whys of plotting, as well as several different methods? Good news—the free PDF of The Plot Thickens is ready!

I know several readers are doing NaNo, but many aren’t. Any votes on what we should look at next?