AMLK’s Writing Reference Series
Pre-Writing
Work from a Solid Story Idea
Ever wonder how writers condense tens of thousands of words into one pithy statement that makes you want to read their book?
They work from a solid story idea.
Start with a theme wrapped around a foundation statement. Get to know your main character and draft the plot bones. Write your premise and the blurb, and practice talking about them both. Experience the thrill of easy writing because you know exactly what you’re writing towards.
If you’re worried that writing a novel’s too big, you’ll appreciate this manual’s many reflective questions. The repeatable exercises will improve your writing. You’ll get more done, faster, each time you begin a new project.
Reduce stress by pre-writing.
Easy Universal Plot
Five Phases Are All You Need
Are you lost in a sea of plots? Is your story too complex to unravel? Did you stop writing because you don’t know what scene comes next?
What you need is One Plot to Rule Them All.
Plots are structures that support stories. There’s a similar rise and fall of how characters face their issues across all genres whether they’re character-driven narratives or thrillers full of action. Five phases lead a character from the start of an adventure to the end of it, or from rejecting romance to learning to love, or from thinking life is over to reaching a place of hope. Over and over again, five guideposts make it easy to plot a short story, novel chapter, nonfiction essay, one complete novel, or a series of novels.
Master the art of story-telling with a Five-Phase Plot.
"Best" Writing Practices
Characters, Scenes, Dialogue, and More
Feeling overwhelmed by a glut of writing techniques? Unsure where to get the fastest, easiest, “best” advice on how to get your book out of your head and onto paper? Try this handy reference.
Set yourself up for success.
You no longer have to scramble for tips and suggestions from a multitude of sources, writing things down just to forget them when you go to apply them to your stories. What you need is right here.
Each chapter’s set up with introductory questions that are sure to spark discussions in your writing groups or lead to reflective blog posts, short stories, newsletter prompts, or poetry. Especially for my student Emily who appreciates not having to read through the chapters, exercises at the back of the book are invaluable for plotting and story ideas. If you hit a block in your Work in Progress, head straight to the back to fire up creativity and start writing again.
Pick up the “Best” Writing Practices.
The Ultimate Plotter's Gold
What to Write and When to Write It
Have you started to write novels only to abandon them part-way through? Learn which scenes
go where, how long they should be, and
how to improve your stories.
Save money on expensive editors and courses.
Five phases lead a character…
- from the start of an adventure to the end
- from rejecting romance to learning to love
- from thinking life is over to reaching a place of hope
The Ultimate Plotter’s Gold makes it easy to plot a short story, novel chapter, nonfiction essay, one complete novel, or a series of novels. Follow ALMK’s “ideal” percentages and scene suggestions.
Write faster, more completely, and more confidently.
Other Books on Writing
How to Plot and Write a Story
The Plotter's Gold Approach
Have you always wanted to write a novel but don’t know where to start? Or do you rewrite your opening “a million” times? Are you unsure what comes next?
If so, this approach is for you.
After years of research and testing numerous plotting methods, the author developed Plotter’s Gold—a technique that deconstructs story structure into introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, then pushes deeper. Using this approach allows you to identify the central conflict, write scenes that advance your story, increase the stakes from micro to macro, and maintain a good story pace.
Reclaim your writing power. Apply this reusable plot technique to multiple genres. Test your plot, trust your plot.
Write your best work yet.
Story Writing Basics
Work from a Solid Story Idea
Are you a frustrated writer, full of ideas but unsure how to tie them together? Do you yearn to write stories readers will love?
This is the book for you.
I was an author who refused to give up, who knew she could write if she tried. After analyzing feedback, and participating in countless workshops, I created a one-stop, essential story resource that contains explanations, examples, and follow-up exercises about story elements. Through this book, discover how to juggle writing matters such as plot, feedback, setting, description, point of view, romance, comic relief, and dialogue.
Use this book to (1) clear up an area that gives you trouble, (2) learn writing basics, (3) jump-start writers’ group sessions, and (4) edit your writing.
Become a Master Storyteller by building up your WRITING BASICS.
Workshop Fiction Anthologies
Weekend Writing Workshop - Short Story Challenge #1
A Flash Fiction Anthology
About the Workshop
Writing’s great but complicated, and we often make it harder on ourselves than we should. This is a collection of fun tales that we wrote rapidly, slapped on a cover, and released to the world. Why hesitate to publish your amazing stories? Learn to draft fast, edit with a group, and produce a decent book to share with the world.
With:
- Picking Protein Puffs on Planet Pittittoowee by Ann Kitching (writing as Ann LuMi Kitching)
- The Flight of Crows by Johanna Bertin
- That’s a Horrible Idea – What Time? by Diane Burt
- Eastbound Train by Issa Coucheir
- Secret Tunnel by Tammy Firlotte
- Rickety Bridge and Falling Bark by Barbara-Ann Hoyt
- The Changing of the Guard by Beth Major
- A Lockpick, a Storm, and a Turncoat by Carol Ann McDevitt
- The Reluctant Goddess by Ty Docent
- Rooney’s Room by Nicole Spilman
