• A Simple Plotting Guide for Writers

    Hello, book and writer geeks,

    Before I get to the plotting guide I would like to have a bit of transparency and full honesty: While I do have a few writers’ certificates from correspondence courses and have taken a handful of English and creative writing classes, I don’t have any major writing degree (maybe one day I’ll finish a creative writing degree, but today is not that day.) I am just a simple, geeky person with an inner, blazing fire for writing and creating that has been burning since I was a child. The desire to be forever learning my craft will never cease. 

    During my ongoing desire to write, learn, and tweak my writing process I have made a list of prompts to aid me in my plotting process. So, in essence, it’s kind of a plotting guide, if you will. If you are a pantser then this may not be for you. 

    A Simple Plotting Guide (A Working Process)

    This outline can be used as your personal cheat sheet or integrated into your own existing plotting guide to enhance your writing experience. If it helps with your plotting and story telling then I’m elated.  We are always students and the world is our classroom (so to speak) and I believe in growing together. By helping others we are essentially helping ourselves. I will do my best to share my knowledge whenever I can. Now, on with the guide!

    General Outline

    Working Title:

    Idea/ Premise:

    Theme:

    Main Character(s)/ Protagonist:

    Main Character/ Protagonists Goal:

    Main Villain(s)/ Antagonist:

    Main Villain(s)/ Antagonist’s Goal:

    First Act: Introduce protagonist and their problem and why they need to solve it – the inciting incident.

    Rising action:

    Falling action:

    Second Act: Add twists, trials, complications, or new problems arise.

    Rising action: Increase tention/character(s) make plan of attack.

    Falling action: Learning from mistakes, solving clues, surprise defeats, or feeling defeated.

    Third Act: Verge of giving up/ all is lost, finding resolve/ pep talk, new look on problem.

    Climax: Rising action/ tension peaking. Surprising twists, or reveals using what character(s) learned.

    Resolution: Facing fear, great victory, or the world changed for the better, etc.

    Chapter by Chapter Outlining (use for each chapter)

    Chapter:

    Point of view character:

    Plot point:

    Scene descriptions: Use five sense/ create mood and atmosphere.

    And that’s pretty much it! It’s very simple and basic. There are plenty of plotting guides out on the net that go into more detail, but I would like to learn a bucket load more before I attempt something like that. I used an early rendition of this outline for my last novel then decided to tweak it and ended up with this one, which I’ll be using for a new novel idea that I will be writing very soon. (I do have a brief character outline as well, but that will be another post.)

    Until next time!

    Stay geeky and keep writing.

    A Writer's Journal: With Plotting Guide

    I love journals, especially for my writing projects. There is often a journal or two hanging around my working area (wherever in the house that may be).  Right now, I have four of them within reaching distance. While I don’t mind making up a plotting page on my computer it’s just not quite the same as pencil or pen on paper. Mmmm, stationary… my second biggest love next to books.

    Due to my love of journals, I created one that had the plotting guide featured in this blog post to make it easier on me and to help keep track of my story plots. There’s also the short character outline inside which I’ll outline that info in a near future post.

    If you like journals as much as I do and like to have a simple plotting guide then this journal is for you! I will be using this journal soon to help me outline a new story idea. (To buy the journal, just click the picture to take you to Amazon!) 

    I’ve rambled on enough today. I hope you all have a great, geeky day.

    Read. Write. Create. Plot!

    JT Harris.

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  • Hooked on Stories and a Giveaway

     The Stories That Started It All

    Every reader (that I know of) all remember that one (or two) story/series that sucked them into the world of reading. For me, it was two series’. The first was The Mandie Mystery series by Lois Gladys Leppard, a light-hearted mystery following the life of Mandie Shaw and the puzzles that she either stumbled upon or her curiosity that got the better of her. She and her friends became determined to figure it out which usually led to some sort of trouble and excitement. For a young girl (like I was) I truly fell in love with all of her lively adventures.

    The next series that enthralled me was the Cooper Kids Adventure Series by Frank Peretti. These stories hooked me on the action-adventure types. This story followed the lives of Jay and Lila Cooper as they went on archaeologist exploits with their father. It was like an Indiana Jones story but for kids. The description was phenomenal and just enough to make me feel like I was there. I was truly addicted and could not put these down. I devoured them.

    Since reading these two series’ I have been a book (story) fan ever since. I have made it my goal to create amazing stories of my own. Action, adventure, drama, and mystery, mixed with fantastical worlds, these are the stories I fell in love with and desire to create for as long as I possibly can.

    What are the stories that you fell in love with that sparked your passion for books and reading?

    Cheers!

     

    February Giveaway!

    I’m getting super close to releasing my very first young adult fantasy and in the spirit of my excitement, I have decided to do another giveaway.

    The book I have chosen this time is none other than Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling! The reason for my choice is mainly for my love of fantasy but also, it contributes to my love for creative, world-enveloping stories that add to my obsession with books and reading. Amazing fun!

    For the chance to win Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling all you have to do is subscribe to my newsletter by February 21st then on February 22nd I will contact the winner via email. I will give the winner one week to respond and if I get no response I will draw another name. My subscribe button is in the sidebar of my website. (Don’t worry. I only send out one or two short emails a month.)

    Best of luck!

    JT Harris.

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  • Making an Action Dream Board

    Happy New Year, my friends!

    A new year is now here. Time for a fresh start, resolutions, and setting goals. Everyone has their own ideas about resolutions and goal setting and I’m not going to claim to be an expert on those things. I will, however, be trying out a dream (vision) board to see how well they work. I’ve heard them called action boards with the hopes that you’ll be spurred into action instead of just dreaming. I love dreaming so I will be dubbing mine an action dream board – cause I will be taking some serious action! It’ll be an experiment for me.

    Vision, Action, Dream Board.

    Your board can be about whatever you, well, dream about, but sometimes it can be about whatever feels good to you at the time. (You may learn something about yourself in the process.) I feel it could be used as a fun therapy evening with friends or even alone with a feel-good movie or music playing in the background. It is advised to be as specific as possible so I’m going to focus in and do my best to be as specific as possible.

    There are many categories that could be put on a vision board.

    1. Family
    2. Financial
    3. Spiritual
    4. Creativity
    5. Projects
    6. Self-improvement
    7. Travel
    8. Love
    9. Knowledge
    10. Health

     

    I’ve chosen ten common ones (in no particular order), but the list is truly endless. My main focus is on gratitude, giving, and goals. I do have wants, desires, and needs and will be indulging in my dreams, but my main focus will be the first three. I’ll check back in a year to see how much I have accomplished. Let’s see if this works!

    If you wish to give vision, dream, action boards a try I will suggest youtube, googling, or Pinterest for tons of inspiration. Happy dreaming and lets put this into action!

    Cheers.

    JT Harris.

     

    Top photo: http://Photo on <a href=”https://visualhunt.com/re/f87054″>VisualHunt.com</a>

    Second photo: http://Photo on <a href=”https://visualhunt.com/re/f87054″>Visualhunt.com</a>

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  • Writing Process for Indie Writers

    Seasons greetings,

    May your winter holidays be merry and bright – even if it’s just chilling at home or at work.

    I have discovered that I like to research any topic that tickles my fancy and I like to organize it. I’m probably a word geek. Yes, a word geek ( or wordsmith, if you will). I can live with that. In my latest research binge and the love of organizing it I have conjured a decent list about the writing process from brainstorming ideas to publication. This list is not the only way to write or the One Great List to rule them all. This a launching point. Tweak as you will for whatever works for you. Everyone is different.

    The writing process (checklist)

    1. The idea
    2. Brainstorming (write all your ideas down – do not edit)
    3. Character creation, map your world, worldbuilding (keep collecting those ideas)
    4. Outlining (this is important, but not everyone likes to do this – to each their own – you do you!)
    5. Drafting (do not edit at this point – just write – this might take a while)
    6. Revise (this is the time to rearrange, add, or take out what doesn’t belong – stories have a flow, voice, and rhythm, find it)
    7. Find someone or a few people to critique your story
    8. Revise again
    9. Hire a developmental editor or a talented book-lover  friend to read your story (find those plot holes, things that don’t fit into your story, things that need more explanation, etc…)
    10. Start chatting about your book on social media (Soft Promotion)
    11. Revise again (some of you may start the editing process here depending on how your project is going – every process is different.)
    12. Find beta readers (more awesome critiquing!)
    13. Revise again (with feeling!) and/or self-edit
    14. Hire a professional copy editor (or another talented friend – I will recommend that you pick a different person to copyedit your work from the developmental editor. Everyone will catch different mistakes)
    15. Apply for an ISBN (if you don’t already have one)
    16. Write book blurb, acknowledgments page, and about the author page
    17. Hire a cover artist/ designer and someone who does interior formatting (Some of you are amazing at this already so you’ve got yourself covered)
    18. Promote your book! (Share book teasers, cover reveal, hit that social media pavement, etc)
    19. Send out ARCs! (Advanced Readers Copies) – (Ask for honest reviews in exchange for a free book – optional)
    20. Release your book!!!
    21. Celebrate! (you did it!!!)
    Thank you for reading!

    There you have it. My long writing process list. This list may go through a few tweaks in the future, but for now, this is what I have. I have learned a lot this past year about writing and publishing and I don’t intend to quit anytime soon.

    I hope you all keep creating into the new year. Much love.

    Cheers.

    JT Harris.

     

    Photo on <a href=”https://visualhunt.com/re/9b1f56″>Visualhunt</a>

    Photo on http://<a href=”https://visualhunt.com/re/9b1f56″>Visualhunt</a>

     

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  • Welcome!

    Hello everyone. I am slowly learning this whole website thing. Slowly, I will be updating and changing this site and its pages and other content. I am looking forward to spending time here and letting you all know what I will be bringing to share with you.

    Thank you for spending some of your time with me.

    JT Harris.

  • Setting Goals.

    Photo via <a href=”https://pixabay.com/en/users/MannyvonKannen-699079/”>MannyvonKannen</a> via <a href=”https://visualhunt.com/photos/christmas/”>VisualHunt.com</a>
    As many of my friends and family know, I have won this year’s NaNoWriMo! And, I couldn’t be happier about it. 

    I have been so busy with my writing and Christmastime that I have put a slight halt to my blogging. I love you all for your patience. Thank you!

    Christmas is almost upon us, again, and there’s so much to prepare, lists to check off, people to see, and, of course, writing to be finished. I have given myself a bit of time to chew over what I wrote in the month of November and am doing a bit more world building for my fantasy before I jump into editing and begin to mold and whip my story into shape. My editing cap is almost ready to be worn. 😉

    I have decided to give myself a deadline/ end goal for my manuscript to be finished. My reason for my goal is because I am a procrastinator and if I have a goal I will procrastinate less. The more I focus on my goal the more I will do. I may even wait until the bitter end before I throw myself into action, but I am determined to get the manuscript finished. So, my end goal is to have the book ready by the summer of 2017! 

    Wish me luck. This is so new to me. And scary. And fun. And challenging. I will be updating my progress at most every step that I take. If you’d like to check my progress you can keep checking here on my blog or check out my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/inkbladewriter/

    Thank you so much for joining me today! 
    Until next time.
    Keep creating and Merry December,  Happy Winter Solstice, and have a joyous Christmas.

    Inkblade Writer.




  • Nine more days left of NaNoWriMo.

    After about 35,000 words of writing I am still moving forward. With some busy days mixed in I have slowed down a bit, but am hoping to get back on track again and plow ahead. My goal today is to write as often as I can, whenever I have a moment I will sit and write. One thing I have learned during NaNoWriMo is that word sprints are fun and super helpful to get my words down without over thinking. 

    A word sprint is when you (and hopefully others) write for ten or fifteen minutes (or for however long you wish) as much and as fast as you can without overthinking. Then, when time is up you tell each other how many words you have all written. This is not a competition; it’s a challenge to yourself. Try to beat your word count. Not others. Everyone writes at their own speed. 
    If you haven’t tried sprinting I highly encourage you to try. It’s not for everyone, but it definitely worked for me. Good luck and happy writing.

    Now, I must be off to sprint, sprint, sprint!

    Until next time, keep creating. 
    Inkblade Writer.


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  • NaNoWriMo, Day One

    NaNoWriMo is here! My post will be brief for sure this time for my fingers shall be busy typing my story.

    I am here to say good luck and speedy writing. Drink lots of water eat lots of food, take the odd break to move around then get back to writing.

    Happy Creating.
    Inkblade Writer.

  • Fairy Tales and Costumes

    A few years ago, there was a missed opportunity for me to dress up my daughter as Red Riding Hood and my son as the wolf (a lumberjack-type werewolf to be exact) for Halloween, but my son had his heart set on being a different character, so I put the idea on the back burner. This year for Halloween the idea came back into my mind: I wanted to have a Little Red Riding Hood group to go out trick or treating. It would be fun. I tried asking my kids if they wanted to do the idea with me, but they are still young to understand the fun of being in a costume group. They have their own ideas and I love their imaginations and want them to dress-up as anything they wish. Alas, the Red Riding Hood group would have to wait. 
     
    Who Am I kidding? As much as I love to write I also love to create characters, and costuming is another one of my creative outlets. If my son and daughter wouldn’t be part of the fairy tale group I would make one with my husband (the woodcutter/ lumberjack), myself (Red Riding Hood), and my dog (the big bad wolf). This group will happen!
     
    Fairy Tales have been apart of my childhood and probably lit the fire for my love of stories and, at the very least, kept me in the dreams and wonder of where the fairy tales could take me. As a child, the fairy tales told to me or read by me were often the lighter versions of their darker counterpart, but as I grew older I began to explore the origins of these stories and, my goodness, were these ever creepy and sometimes down right disturbing. (Halloween and fairy tales seem to be a great fit, am I right?) 
     
    Despite the ‘grim’ stories (pun intended) there are gold nuggets among the pages. Many authors in the past decade have searched these fairy tales and put their own twist to these stories of old and have come out with amazing retold stories of their own. Red Riding Hood has been told and re-told time and time again, each with small changes that make it slightly different than the last. Some re-told Riding Hood stories have been changed so much that they are hardly recognizable. Two things remains the same. The person with the red hood and a depiction of a wolf. 
     
    Any hint of the essence of fairy tales being told in a story, consider my interest piqued.
     
    Tell me, what are your favourite fairy tales of old or new?
     
    Until next time, keep creating.
     
    Inkblade Writer.
    http://Photo credit: chiaralily via Visualhunt.com / CC BY-NC
  • NaNoWriMo and Scrivener

    The first time I heard of Scrivener was probably last year or earlier this year and I think I liked the idea of it, but never really researched it due to being busy or just really into my writing. (I am one of those people who really don’t like straying from things I know and like.) But, since signing up for NaNoWriMo I have decided to give Scrivener a try. There is a nice trial run for those who are doing NaNoWriMo this year – as far as I know – and can try the program until December 7th. Why not, right? Well, I am giving it whirl and am excited to see if I like it or not. I have high hopes. May my hopes not be dashed! 

    I will write a brief review on what I liked/ understood about it and maybe things I wish were changed – if the case may be – in December and will let you know if I purchased the program.

    So, what is your favorite writing software and why do you like it?

    Until next time, keep creating.
    Inkblade Writer.