ABOUT THE BOOKS
Behind the Scenes: books by Ann LM (LuMi) Kitching. Click on icons for more information. Happy Exploring!
Why I wrote this…
STORY WRITING BASICS: How to Use and Develop Themes, Characters, Scenes, and More
After I wrote my first novel, and decided it wasn’t very good (it really wasn’t), I researched where I’d gone wrong.
I read books, took courses, devoured online advice. I recorded tons of advice from wonderful authors who shared their techniques. After a number of years, I realized that I had a book of suggestions ready to go.
Writing my second novel, I used Story Writing Basics extensively. I looked up my questions as I went, and it was wonderful to have that source on my desk.
I also started teaching the principles in short courses to adults, and they added additional concerns.
Finally, SWB turned into Easy Universal Plot (each time I revised the manual, I drafted new examples) and “Best” Writing Practices with more theory and additional approaches.
Story Writing Basics is an awesome manual for first-time writers.
Why I Wrote This…
HOW TO PLOT AND WRITE A STORY: The Plotter’s Gold Approach
Plotting is so aggravating! Why couldn’t someone tell me, clearly, simply, without a lot of jargon, what scene is “supposed” to happen? Why doesn’t anyone say, “Stop the action at this point and transition to the next story movement?”
I wrote How to Plot and Write a Story because I was frustrated. I could pen a story; I just needed someone to tell me what to write and when to write it.
I studied over 20 different plot methods. I smooshed them all together, then I divided them into five phases. I did the math so I could calculate ideal chapter lengths. Then I went back to the start and asked, “What do I need to do first to make the writing part easier?”
The best place to start is inspiration, theme, premise, and so on. The smallest story elements are hard to figure out after an entire book is written but they make great beginnings. Unexperienced writers benefit from a micro to macro approach.
As I taught plotting principles, a separate volume called Pre-Writing emerged: some authors didn’t care about the Plotter’s Gold but truly appreciated story conventions such as understanding theme and how to write a blurb.
How to Plot became a complete source for an author who wants a friendly guide from idea to completed novel.
Why I Wrote This…
PRE-WRITING: Work from a Solid Story Idea
This manual came from the first part of How to Plot and Write a Story. I dive deeper into inspiration, theme, premise, titles, and so on—the elements that form a book’s building blocks. I added answers to questions my students asked, and additional exercises and examples.
Fully aware that some authors despise following a plot, I made sure that there was enough in this one volume not only for preparing a novel but also to write it. The principles apply to fiction, nonfiction, and stories of different lengths, so it’s a good source to teach from, practice with a group, or to bounce into your own stories.
Why I Wrote This…
“BEST” WRITING PRACTICES: Characters, Scenes, Dialogue, and More
This resource is a direct result of what my adult students wanted to know that wasn’t fully explored in Story Writing Basics.
I took similar story subjects, enriched chapter details, added new subjects, and increased the exercises.
This is the resource to use in most light-hearted, “for fun” writing groups or in focused writing classes. The chapters are designed to ignite discussions of story matters. You can’t get stories “wrong” but there are techniques that will make writing stronger.
Every author has unique, valid approaches. This manual offers the “best” practices to improve.
Why I Wrote This…
EASY UNIVERSAL PLOT: Five Phases Are All You Need
Many hundreds of authors share their methods, putting their unique twists on similar concepts. What changes isn’t so much the content as the vocabulary used to explore it. This volume contains 45 versions of my five-phase plot.
Easy Universal Plot is the book I wish I’d had when I was teaching middle school. My students had one period per week dedicated to silent writing, and this resource is quickly and easily shared.
Now I reach for it when I write short fiction because it’s a great, clear guide. I also use it to check over my novel plots, especially following the antagonist’s and the side characters’ arcs.
And the genre doesn’t matter; the five phases apply universally.
Why I Wrote This…
THE ULTIMATE PLOTTER’S GOLD: What to Write and When to Write It
I love words and language, but I crave word limits so I know when to stop writing a scene and get on with the story. However, many of my students complain about the math. (If you want the numbers, please consult How to Plot and Write a Story.)
The Ultimate Plotter’s Gold jumps into story structure so authors can start at the beginning and complete either their plot or their story. I don’t try to suggest the best steps in novel-writing; I simply present my analysis.
This is my favourite volume to date because the deconstruction and reconstruction of over 20 different plot methods is astonishingly useful and logical. I’m proud of the result and believe this to be the plotter’s gold standard.
Why I Wrote This…
Examples of a Modest Genius
Text to talk about the book
Why I Wrote This…
Weekend Writing Workshop
Text to talk about the book