Images Disney.fandom.com, Memes by me.

I’ve often compared my creative energy as a teacher using these visuals that are etched into my mind from watching Cinderella over and over as a kid. On Sunday nights I say to myself, “When I come home from school tomorrow Cinderella’s carriage (my creative brain) will be back to being a plain old mushy pumpkin (my brain with mom/teacher exhaustion).”

When you’re in the flow of creativity, there is not a better feeling in the world, but it takes lots of mental clarity to get there. I find lots of joy in working on my personal projects, but I’ve learned not to frustrate myself with trying to further them after school in the afternoons. I just spin my wheels.

After six years of teaching, I’ve figured out that creative energy is limited each day so I pour it all out on my students at school (and I am grateful to do so). What an opportunity!

I share all of that to give you an update that on this long weekend I had some rest and some uninterrupted time to build upon what I started writing this Summer.

I was able to write 20,000 words between two books this Summer, one a memoir and one a fiction book. After some research I decided to make my fiction book into a Novella (which requires 20,000-40,00 words) since I can currently average that much writing over a long school break. With that goal in mind it would be feasible to work on one novella a Summer if inspiration strikes.

Instead of having one big book, I will be able to write 4 shorter Novellas to make a collection of stories that tie together if I decide to keep writing fiction after this book is complete.

So, this weekend I finished my first draft of my first fiction novella!

So the hard part for me personally is done. The word count is there. The scenes from my outline are all written out with dialogue and in order like a rough sketch on a canvas ready to add layers of paint.

So, the fun starts now! I get to take all of those broad strokes and zoom in to write the sensory details, add in depth from the notes I’ve been keeping on the go, and bring the characters to life as I continue to develop their voices and their messages.

So, after all this chatter, what’s this book about anyway? Simply stated as a quick elevator pitch that I finally feel confident to share, my book is about:

What’s next?

1. Developmental Editing
2. Beta Readers
3. Line Editing
4. Proofing for Print
   
   

So, as you can see, I have a way to go before publishing and haven’t set a date yet. But I am excited about the confirmations that I have received to keep on writing this story.

One of the steps in finishing out my first draft led me to search the most googled questions asked by 12-18 year old girls (my target age for this book) and to my delight almost all of the questions they ask are addressed in my novella. I think I’m on the right track.

Thanks for following along with my creative process. I hope to inspire you to find what makes your heart sing!

Keep on creating,

Emily

As a creative writer, one of the biggest challenges I face is figuring out the best way to tell my story. I’m sure many of you can relate. Do I start with a prologue or jump right into the action? Should I use a linear timeline or flashbacks? How many perspectives should I include? These are just some of the questions that I contemplate.

Because I often have numerous ideas floating around in my head, I’ve found it helpful to plot out my story three ways. I’ve found that it helps develop the story, plus make it better and gives more material to pull from as you refer back to it when you get stuck writing.

After bullet pointing the general story on one sheet of notebook paper, I take a couple of pieces of notebook paper and draw 2 lines to make 3 columns. I then writhe the story three different ways.

Step 1: The Linear Plot

The first thing I do is write out a linear plot of my story. This means starting at the beginning and moving through the story in a chronological order. I try to include all the major plot points and character arcs in this version.

This helps me get a sense of the overall structure of the story and identify any pacing issues. It also helps me see if there are any gaps in the plot or if certain events feel rushed or dragged out.

Step 2: The Nonlinear Plot

Next, I write out a nonlinear version of the plot. This means jumping around in time, using flashbacks, or other techniques to create a more complex narrative structure. This version allows me to experiment with different ways of revealing information to the reader.

Sometimes, I find that the nonlinear version is more interesting and engaging than the linear version. Other times, I realize that it’s too confusing or doesn’t add anything to the story. Either way, this version helps me think outside the box and consider different ways of telling the story.

Step 3: The Character Plot

Finally, I write out a version of the plot that focuses on the character arcs. This means looking at the story from each character’s perspective and seeing how their personal journeys intersect with the larger plot.

This version helps me make sure that each character is fully developed and has a clear motivation. It also helps me see if any characters are unnecessary or underdeveloped. I then can go back and adjust my chapters to fit the way I will tell the story.

By plotting out my story three ways, I’m able to see the strengths and weaknesses of each version and choose the one that works best for the story I want to tell. Sometimes, I even combine elements from each version to create a unique and compelling narrative.

If you’re a writer struggling with how to tell your story, I highly recommend trying this process. It may take a bit of extra time and effort, but it’s well worth it to find the best way to bring your story to life.

Thanks for reading, and happy writing!
Em

Morgan Harper Nichols had a timely post on this topic just this week! Love her art and words!

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These essential tips for world building that will help you create a realistic and immersive world for your readers!

I’m continuing my series of documenting my writing process as I write my first coming of age novel.

When it comes to writing a successfully written novel, one of the most crucial elements is crafting a believable and engaging world. This is especially important for coming of age fiction (my novel is set in the mid 90’s to present day) where capturing the mood and vibe of the time period is essential to connecting with readers.

To get started on creating your world, research is key. Familiarize yourself with the technology, fashion, and cultural norms of the time period, and consider what makes it unique. This will help you craft a setting that is not only accurate, but also resonates with readers.

I use Pinterest for this as well as printing out actual photos or copying them from era magazines and placing them on an actual bulletin board on my desk. I pull quotes that sound like something the characters would pin. This helps me develop their personalities and when I get stuck in writing, I go back to build my Pinterest board with more ideas.

I pull quotes that sound like something the characters would pin.

Once you have a solid understanding of the time period, it’s time to focus on building out the world of your story. Begin by creating a strong sense of place – think about where your story takes place, the landmarks, and the people who inhabit it. This will help ground your story in reality, making it feel more authentic and relatable.

Next, focus on creating realistic and well-rounded characters. Create a character profile. I like to create a mock interview with each character to brainstorm ideas for their personalities. Consider what makes them unique, their interests and goals, and how they interact with each other and the world around them.

I watch youtube videos of celebrity interviews from the era to get inspiration for questions for my characters as well.

Remember everyone has an internal conflict (goal vs. fear) so identify theirs. This will help readers connect with and care about your characters, making them invested in the story.

Finally, pay attention to the small details that make your world come alive. From music to slang and colloquialisms, these details help paint a picture of the time period and create an immersive experience for readers.

For each book I’ve written I’ve created a soundtrack to help inform the book. This is the first novel I’ve written so I picked out a couple of songs for each chapter to keep me focused on the story and feel of the outline. I’ve rearranged the order of this playlist multiple times as the story has evolved.

Take a listen to see if you can figure out any clues about my story.

Incorporating these tips into your world building process will help you create a captivating and authentic world for your coming of age novel set in whatever era you decide to write. If you’re a reader and not a writer I hope this post gives you a little behind the scenes of how authors do what they do to create your favorite beach reads!

Happy writing or reading,

Emily

Writing Update:

Writing Update: The first draft is telling the story to yourself. (I took finding a writing grade and encouraging words from my teacher from 10th grade as a sign to keep going 😄)

I haven’t met my daily word count goal this Summer (I’ve written 12,000 so far), but I have been reading fiction widely and jogging my memory on lots of 90’s and early 2000s nostalgia (all of this inspiring content for the chapters that live in notebooks and in my mind). I keep telling the story to myself and adding to it.

I’ve taken time to go through boxes that I put away in heartbreak at 17 and have cried healing tears at 42.

This fictional story won’t leave me and is inspired by the people and places I loved in my coming of age years. It’s written about a time in history that we’ll never be able to visit again except in our memories. Conveying that nostalgic feeling is what I’m after!

Yet…if nobody ever reads this first attempt at a novel, exploring this story, revisiting the 90s in my mind, and developing these characters has been good for my soul.

Now, back to the page…and sharpening my skills of writing dialogue. 😬✏️

In my day to day life if I get overwhelmed, I work backwards. I start with the deadlines in my day (kids’ ballgames, practices, etc.) then pencil in everything else I want/need to do above that. It works like a charm to keep my day efficient and organized!

As a writer, “working backwards” is also a very effective tool! This technique involves starting with the ending and working your way back to the beginning, and it’s been a game-changer for me. In this blog post, I’ll share how I’ve used this technique to plot my coming of age novel.

If you’re a fan of coming of age fiction or an aspiring author looking for tips on plotting your own novel, keep reading. This technique can be applied to any genre, but I find it particularly helpful for coming of age stories, which often center around a character’s personal growth and development.

Step 1: Start with the ending

The first step is to figure out how you want your story to end. Do you want your main character to achieve their goal? Or do you want them to fail and learn an important lesson? Once you have a clear idea of how you want your story to end, you can start working backwards.

Step 2: Identify the key milestones

Next, think about the key milestones that will lead your character to the ending you’ve chosen. What significant events need to happen to get your character from the beginning of the story to the end? These could be internal milestones, such as personal realizations and growth, or external milestones, such as completing a specific task or achieving a specific goal.

Step 3: Create a timeline

Once you have identified the key milestones, create a timeline of events. This will help you see the cause-and-effect relationships between events and ensure that your story flows logically. It’s also a good idea to note the emotional states of your character at each milestone. How do they feel about what’s happening to them?

Step 4: Fill in the details

Now that you have a rough outline of your story, it’s time to start fleshing out the details. Add descriptions, dialogue, and any other necessary details to make each scene come alive. Don’t worry about getting everything perfect on the first try – you can always go back and revise later.

Step 5: Revise and refine

Once you’ve written your first draft, it’s time to revise and refine. Make sure that each scene flows smoothly into the next and that your character’s emotional state is consistent throughout the story. Cut out anything that doesn’t move the plot forward or add to the character’s development. Keep refining until you’re happy with the final product.

Working backwards may seem counterintuitive, but it can be a powerful tool for plotting a coming of age novel. By starting with the ending and working your way back, you can ensure that your story has a clear and logical progression. So if you’re struggling with plotting, give this technique a try. You might be surprised at how effective it is.

You can use this technique to bring depth and resonance to your stories. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination, and with the right tools and techniques, you can create a story that resonates with readers long after they’ve finished reading it.