rule 2/7

Apr 12, 20192 min read

“It Will Be Nice Hanging Out With Proper Villains Again.”

If you’re wondering, the headline above is a direct quote from Ocean’s Eleven. And since we’re on the subject, it must be said that those sc

19 views

When You Want to Write a Strong Protagonist

Jeannette DiLouie

Apr 5, 20192 min read

When You Want to Write a Strong Protagonist

When you write a strong protagonist, you have to make him, her or it realistic and relatable. That’s what we learned yesterday, going so far

12 views

The Novel-Writing Characters You Need to Kill

Jeannette DiLouie

Mar 22, 20193 min read

The Novel-Writing Characters You Need to Kill

Let’s recap what we've learned about characters so far this week: Tuesday – Characters come in all shapes and sizes. They can be people

236 views

Jeannette DiLouie

Mar 15, 20194 min read

4 More Ways to Get Past Writer’s Block

We already addressed three specific ways to get past writer’s block: Sucking it up Skipping ahead Sucking it up while eating yummy food....

12 views

Jeannette DiLouie

Mar 7, 20193 min read

Bad, Suplots. Bad!

Subplots are beautiful things – or romantic, or mysterious, or thrilling, or fantastic things – when done right. We’ve already established t

49 views

Jeannette DiLouie

Mar 1, 20194 min read

Here’s How to Fix a Plot Hole

Yesterday’s post about plot could have been taken a little more harshly than I intended. So let me reiterate that it was meant for lazy or w

45 views

Jeannette DiLouie

Feb 22, 20193 min read

Jack and the Premise That Got Away

Let me tell you a story about Jack. Not Jack and the Beanstalk or Jack and Jill, but Jack and the Premise That Got Away. Once upon a time,

16 views

The Novel-Writing Rule You Really Should Know Before You Write Too Much

Jeannette DiLouie

Feb 8, 20193 min read

The Novel-Writing Rule You Really Should Know Before You Write Too Much

To properly address today’s novel-Writing Rule, let’s recap our January discussions on genre. Here was the Definition: A genre is a literar

35 views

There Are Good Homes to Find for Your Short Story Submissions

Jeannette DiLouie

Feb 1, 20193 min read

There Are Good Homes to Find for Your Short Story Submissions

So you did it. Or you’re going to do it. You’re going to write a short story. It’s on the books, and it’s going to happen. Really. With t

8 views

Your Ideal Readers Expect You to Know Your Book’s Genre Inside and Out

Jeannette DiLouie

Jan 25, 20193 min read

Your Ideal Readers Expect You to Know Your Book’s Genre Inside and Out

Thursday’s Writing Challenge was all about publishing your genre-specific book. And it included some great information. Admittedly, it migh

34 views

Jeannette DiLouie

Jan 18, 20192 min read

The Best Writing Retreats Do This

By their very definition, writing retreats are designed to give you the time and space you need to write. Not by very definition (but typica

12 views

Why Writing Flash Fiction Is Far From Pointless

Jeannette DiLouie

Jan 11, 20193 min read

Why Writing Flash Fiction Is Far From Pointless

What are your thoughts about writing flash fiction? Be honest here. Do you relate more to Diana or Rachelle in the conversation below: Dian

157 views

Here’s How to Write a First Draft in a Year

Jeannette DiLouie

Jan 4, 20193 min read

Here’s How to Write a First Draft in a Year

Before we dive into how to write a first draft in a year, a little Innovative Editing housekeeping… When it comes to Writing Rules, we’re g

25 views

Jeannette DiLouie

Dec 21, 20182 min read

The Benefits of Keeping an Author Blog

Thanks to yesterday’s post, you now know two things about keeping an author blog: It’s time-consuming. There’s no guarantee it’ll be worth

7 views

Knock Knock. Who’s There? Your Nonfiction Humor Writing Game Plan!

Jeannette DiLouie

Dec 14, 20182 min read

Knock Knock. Who’s There? Your Nonfiction Humor Writing Game Plan!

Growing up, you were always the funny guy or girl: the one with the quick wit and flawless delivery. It started out with knock knock jokes

60 views

A Very Silly Writing Rule for Anyone Writing a Book on Economics

Jeannette DiLouie

Dec 7, 20183 min read

A Very Silly Writing Rule for Anyone Writing a Book on Economics

Warning: This is going to sound like a very silly Writing Rule when it’s so absolutely obvious. But, unfortunately, absolutely obvious isn’t

3 views

What’s Your Motivation for Writing a Personal Finance Book?

Jeannette DiLouie

Nov 30, 20183 min read

What’s Your Motivation for Writing a Personal Finance Book?

We’re going to get absolutely, down-to-pencil-nibs honest here. Nobody writes a book just for other people. Not novelists. Not “memoirists.

9 views

What Does Writing a Business Book That Sells Look Like?

Jeannette DiLouie

Nov 16, 20183 min read

What Does Writing a Business Book That Sells Look Like?

Make money!!! Gain corporate power!!! Look good at work to make more money and/or gain corporate power!!! Those are the appeals that busi

1 view

Nobody Said Writing a Middle-Grade Nonfiction Book Was Easy

Jeannette DiLouie

Nov 9, 20183 min read

Nobody Said Writing a Middle-Grade Nonfiction Book Was Easy

“Acknowledge the age gap between you and your intended audience, including all the differences that come with it.” That’s a basic summation

30 views

Pre-Writing Tip: Narrow Down Your Parenting Book Reach

Jeannette DiLouie

Nov 2, 20183 min read

Pre-Writing Tip: Narrow Down Your Parenting Book Reach

If you’re going to write a parenting book, you need to remember how human life is made up of phases. So very many of them and in so many...

167 views