The Waypoint Method of plotting aims to get deep under the skin of your story so that you understand more than just what happens to your characters, you understand the WHY. Once we dig deeper into story, the plot points begin to fall together. Plot points are really just moments when your protagonist’s views or their way forward PIVOTS to something new. Know what … Read More 5 Pivot Points to Plot Your Novel
by Haley Walden
If you’re an indie author, then you know it’s your responsibility to build a team to help you get your books out into the world. Because we have creative control and control over our production processes, we have the luxury of choosing our editors. Chances are, you’re probably interested in the idea of building a relationship with your editor that goes beyond a basic … Read More How to Build a Long-Term Working Relationship With an Editor
Dreaming is an important part of your writing (both creatively and in business), and we support your biggest, loftiest dreams with everything we have. But can you sort through your dreams for reality? Are you in control of your writing business? Do you know how take a dream and make it real? Or do you get lost in the imagining, planning, and wishing that comes … Read More Having a Hard Time Organizing Your Writing Time?
+ Author Life, Author Toolbox, Editing, Marketing, Pep Talk, Productivity, Self, Support, Work With us
If we want a long-lasting career writing fiction, we have to step back from what we’re doing once in a while and re-evaluate. Both in what we’re writing and how we’re approaching our author platform, branding, and social media. In the years from 2009 to 2017, I wrote an average of five to nine books a year. I was publishing at a frantic pace, … Read More A Note for Mid-Career Authors
Three things to note before we jump in: ONE: there is no ONE SIZE FITS ALL, or no hard and fast ALWAYS rules in strengthening the language of your fiction. TWO: if your characterization is INCREDIBLE, strong language will most likely come very naturally. THREE: you have more leeway if you’re writing in first person and within dialogue for voice reasons. Let’s jump in. … Read More Quick Tips to Strengthen the Language of Your Fiction
+ Author Life, Author Toolbox, diversity, Editing, featured, LGBT, Marketing, representation in literature, Self, Story, Support
by Jesse Perry
2021 has seen more books featuring LGBT characters hit the bestselling lists than any year prior. These books have come in all genres: memoirs, YA novels, erotica, thrillers, you name it. With this explosion in LGBT-centered stories, many authors have a desire to include an LGBT character in their stories, whether as a main character or a side character. However, this can sometimes be … Read More Introduction to Writing LGBT+ Characters
The 5 Point Story Mapping Method isn’t a plotting device. It’s not a new series of beats or a reworking of classic plot tools. The Waypoint Method aims to get deep under the skin of your story so that you understand more than just what happens to your characters. It’s about setting yourself up to succeed, understanding your own motivations as well as your … Read More DIY Workbook: 5 Point Story Mapping
+ Editing
by Haley Walden
Please Note: This post contains affiliate links. You’ve completed the first full draft of your shiny new novel, and you’re chomping at the bit to send it off to your developmental editor. I mean, it’s on paper now, right? Isn’t it time to get some help with fleshing it out so you can move on to the next step? Not so fast. It’s incredibly … Read More Don’t Underestimate the Power of Developmental Self-Editing
+ Editing
by Haley Walden
When it comes to editing your book, there’s more than one approach to the revision process. Some writers work through their manuscript from beginning to end, in chronological order. Others might work backward, one chapter at a time. Another efficient way to conduct revisions is by layering your edits. Let’s consider what layering your edits might look like. How to Determine Your Editing Layers … Read More How Layering Your Edits Can Make the Revision Process Smoother
Allie and Jo are passionate about helping quality stories find their place the world. We created this series of worksheets to give intermediate authors a series of questions and checklists. This resource is to help authors who: Want nothing but our most popular worksheets. Have written enough to not need detailed explanations. Want to revisit how they approach story. Are starting a new genre. … Read More DIY Workbook: Essential Story Elements
Want to get the most out of your edits and get your book noticed? The best way to make your book as strong as it can be is by learning how to edit your own words before your manuscript ever leaves your hands. No one knows your story the way you do, and no one can edit in a way that helps you stay … Read More DIY Workbook: Master Self Editor
It doesn’t matter if you are just starting your writing journey, you’ve finished one book, or your backlist is filled with titles. It doesn’t matter if you’re Independent or Traditional. Every single person we’ve worked with, or met in the writing world, has one thing in common: Occasionally, we all get stuck. We’re sometimes overwhelmed by the process, or afraid of the criticism/rejection, or … Read More DIY Workbook: Three Author Foundations
Waypoint Authors 