The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing by Evan Marshall

The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing offers a 16-step program guaranteed to take you from idea to complete manuscript.

This guide is divided into five sections:

1) Planning for Success - This section includes deciding what type of novel to write, forming an idea, and creating your characters.

2) Your Complete Plotting Guide - Marshall offers a step by step guide on plotting out your novel: from beginning to end, from section to section. He goes as far as to tell you how many sections you'll need and what needs to happen in certain sections.

3) How to Write Fiction Like a Pro - Marshall touches upon the tools needed for writing: dialogue, conflict, viewpoint, background, thoughts, and much more.

4) Polishing Your Manuscript - Marshall gives a quick take on editing.

5) Marketing your Novel - From proposal to approaching editors to a sample Synopsis, Marshall closes with an idea of how to get your novel published.

This book successfully takes you through these steps and may very well help you to produce a novel.

The plot guide is rigid, and Marshall requires you to have certain character types to complete his plotting system. However, it is an interesting look at a plotting system that may be adapted to guide you in your plotting. The steps are worth reading and thinking on, possibly incorporating to create your own guide to your own plotting system.

I read a one-star review that suggested this book was only about the process. I give this book a four-star because it is about the process of writing/plotting. He touches briefly upon many areas. This is a guide worth reading.

Interview at Lynnette Labelle's Blog

Stop by Lynnette Labelle's blog today for a Seduced by Darkness teaser.

Tomorrow come join us for the interview. Some interesting questions were asked and explored. Love to see you there.

Direct Link to Interview

Goodreads for Authors

Goodreads

When it comes to social media for Authors, you hear so much about Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. Where can Goodreads fit into this social party?

In my opinion, Goodreads may possibly be the main event. What better place to gain readers than a site built for readers? At Goodreads, readers hang out, share their favorite reads and discover what others are reading. Doesn't it make since to join in this crowd as both a reader and a writer?

The author program offers wonderful chances to add your profile, your books, and even host giveaways. It also offers you a place to become part of the crowd. Become a reader on Goodreads, share your favorite books, and discover what your readers are reading.

This almost sounds like an advertisement for Goodreads, but it's not. My two novellas have gained readers I don't believe would have discovered me through other sources. The reviews have been good, and readers are adding the novellas to their 'to read' list.

Another great thing is you can discover new people who love to read. After all, you were a reader long before you became a writer. Get connected and enjoy the company of like-minded people. You may be surprised to find your favorite writer may also be your favorite reader.

Hope to see you on Goodreads.

Take a Break

Finding the time to take a break is as important as finding the time to write.

We rush around, giving ourselves to everything and everyone. There must be a moment to give back to ourselves.

Some may be thinking - but writing time is my time. This will prove to be wrong down the road. When you write, you are giving.

Others are thinking - sleep is my time to myself, it's all I can do right now. Sleep is important. But, taking a moment for you is also important.

Whether you allow yourself a whole day off, or thirty minutes a day, this is an important part of making it as a writer. Or, simply to keep from going insane. The constant giving will eventually empty you and there won't be much left. Could this be why writer's become depressed? It is a possibility.

The point is to take time to refuel, to intake, and to relax.

• Socializing through Facebook, Twitter, and other online medias is NOT relaxing. (You may enjoy it, but you are still giving.)

Try to think of activities involving no form of giving - only receiving.

• Reading a book
• Taking a walk
• Watching a movie
• Lying in the sun
• Meditation

These are only a few ideas. What type of activities do you consider relaxing? Are you allowing yourself to TAKE in the experience? How often do you find yourself able to enjoy such activities?

A New Dawn Series by Aubrie Dionne

Aubrie Dionne began her New Dawn Series in August 2011 with Paradise 21. I was lucky to meet this great writer through my blog. She's also a great reader and critique partner. The world is lucky to have her in it. Now, drum roll ****

Please welcome Aubrie today to celebrate the release of Tundra 37 and A Hero Rising.

The Seers

First of all, I want to thank Cher for hosting me on her blog on my book release day!!! Thank you, Cher!

She’s been a great critique partner, and I love reading her own work, which all of you should check out after reading this post!

I came today to talk about two important characters in Tundra 37: The Seers, twin sisters with the ability to manipulate technology.

Growing up in the lower levels of an overpopulated Earth, their only chance at a better future lay in having their powers tested and used by a corporation called TINE: The Telepathic Institute of New England. While at TINE, they are asked by a very rich man to use their powers to drive his colony ship from Earth to Paradise 18. They agree to his terms, and find themselves driving the ship hundreds of years into the future. To keep them alive, they’ve been attached to the computer mainframe of the ship while their bodies waste away.

These characters are integral to the plot, and were the most fascinating characters for me to write. Just imagine questioning your own identity and humanity after so many years attached to a ship. One sister gave up
her love for this job, and every day she questions her choices. I don’t want to give too much away, but in the end of the book, she’s faced with the hardest choice of them all.

My question for you is: would you give up love to keep your twin sister safe and drive a colony ship to Paradise 18? How would you feel after doing the same job for so many years, you physically become part of it.

These are tough questions, and I can’t wait to see your answers!