“Focus your pre-writing and drafting and revising efforts on the present moment of your story.” - Daniel David Wallace
I asked five of my peers to share one of their favorite writing tips, and boy, did they deliver! Tune in to hear 5 editors and coaches talk about their favorite tip and why it’s so helpful. Here’s a preview of what’s included:
[01:40] Tip #1: Fully embrace scene structure in your storytelling process because the narrative will flow seamlessly from beginning to end.
[06:12] Tip #2: Keep your focus on the forward momentum of your story by avoiding excessive backstory or exposition that might slow down the pacing.
[11:05] Tip #3: Dedicate equal attention to crafting your protagonist's internal journey as you do to advancing the external plot of your story.
[14:48] Tip #4: Make the most of your story's midpoint to steer clear of the often chaotic middle of the second act.
[21:52] Tip #5: If you hit a creative roadblock, assess which perspective you're currently in and try shifting to another viewpoint.
[27:26] It's so easy to overlook the three distinct perspectives—be it that of the author, character, or reader—which only adds unnecessary complexity. I find immense joy in discovering what resonates with others and moves the needle for them, particularly within the writing community. After all, different techniques suit different individuals, and exploring various perspectives from writers, coaches, and editors is invaluable.
Connect with Guests:
Emily Golden Website
Story Magic Podcast
Instagram
Daniel David Wallace Website
Instagram
Nicole Meier Website
Steps to Story Podcast
Instagram
Abigail K. Perry Website
LitMatch Podcast
Instagram
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
👋 Want a behind-the-scenes look at my book coaching journey? Click here to download Author Accelerator's brand-new eBook to see how I built (and grew!) my business!
👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.
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#104: 10 Tips For Writing Better Dialogue
#103: Morality Genre Conventions
#102: 3 Common Interiority Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
#101: First Chapter Analysis: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
#100: A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (July 2023)
#99: 5 Mindset Tips to Help You Unlock Your Writing Potential
#98: How to Add Subplots to Your Novel
#97: First Chapter Analysis: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
#96: 5 Worldbuilding Tips for Sci-Fi & Fantasy Writers
#95: How to Start Writing Your Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel
#94: How to Reveal Your Character’s Inner Life on the Page
#93: First Chapter Analysis: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
#92: The 5 Functions of Dialogue in Your Story
#91: Student Spotlight: How She Went From First Draft to Landing Her Dream Agent with Jamie Varon
#90: How to Choose the Best Point of View for Your Story
#89: Student Spotlight: How She Used Short Stories to Hone Her Craft (and Publish Her Debut Novel) with Pauline Yates
#88: Perfectionism vs. Procrastination: What's REALLY Going On?
#87: First Chapter Analysis: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
#86: A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (February 2023)
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