I’m participating in National Novel Writing Month this year when I’ll write the first draft of Where the Light Enters. I’m excited to craft the story of my heroine, Emerson Page. I love a good plan so as I do my preparation research, I hunted around online for resources to help me plan my novel. I’m incredibly surprised (and grateful!) for all of the resources and generous advice on planning. If you’re writing a novel, here is a list of the resources that are helping me during this exciting time. I hope they help you, too!:
Your Novel Blue Print – Author Kevin T Johns wrote a free ebook titled 12 Common Mistakes Rookie Authors Make (& How to Avoid Them!) to describe 12 of the lessons he learned the hard way when writing his first books. It’s like a map that shows you all the places not to go when writing a book. And couldn’t we all use that kind of advice?
Story Plan Checklist – Writing instructor Karen Wiesner wrote an incredible thorough post for Writer’s Digest that outlines all of the key considerations necessary to craft a cohesive, compelling story. Again, totally free and actionable! This is the plan I’ll be working on for the next two months.
Bill Holland’s HubPage – Author and teacher William D. Holland discusses many of the main points that Karen Wiesner makes though it’s a more condensed version and he throws in a few extra bits of wisdom. For example, all of the agents and publishers he’s worked with over the past several decades have told him you have about 10 seconds to grab their attention when introducing your book. I’ve heard of elevator pitches in the business world, but in the writing world, time is even more precious.
How to Write Killer Fiction – Author Carolyn Wheat wrote this book to describe her four-arc system to outline a novel. The beauty of her system is that you can either use it to plan your novel, or use it to rework your draft into a tighter draft before querying agents and publishers. I also love that she diligently emphasizes the importance of the end of a book. So many authors start from the beginning and then fall apart somewhere in the middle. If we start at the ending, we have a better shot at delivering a work that will stick with readers long after they close the book. Though not free, it’s worth the investment.
Writing a novel is grueling work, and we could all use a little help. Luckily for us, there’s plenty of it to go around. The writing world is a generous world.
Did I miss any resources that you’ve found particularly helpful? Please share in the comments below!
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
2 thoughts on “Inspired: Online resources to help you plan and write your novel”
*rushes to check out links*
As a fellow writer, I give you a high five for compiling this post ♥
Christa Avampato 
*rushes to check out links*
As a fellow writer, I give you a high five for compiling this post ♥
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Thanks so much! I hope it’s helpful.
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