FDF #28: The Origins of Story Outline
Join us, Friday, September 10th, with guest author Stefan Emunds in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about the origins of the story outline. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Stefan will answer questions, and give you actionable tips! You'll also receive a booklet which highlights the origins of story outline, the adversity cycle, and the story cycle from Stefan's book, The Eight Crafts of Writing.
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FDF #27: Working with a writing coach
At 5PM ET, Guest author Dave Reed discusses how to stop the never-ending cycle of years of NOT finishing a book—with a little help from his friends. Hiring a writing coach can feel daunting and expensive and fraught. Learn the seven secrets to getting more than your money’s worth from a professional writing coach. This will be a free live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Dave will answer questions and give you tips.
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FDF #26: Unlearning Habits
At 12PM NOON ET, Guest author Michael Hurd along with author Alessandra Torre will discuss strategies and tips for transitioning from objective writing to subjective writing. Each form has its own rules, style, and yes, habits. Switching isn't always easy. Your pre-read (beta) team could be one of your best allies to help you overcome, and unlearn those habits. Tune in and watch as Michael shares his personal journey from non-fiction to fiction writing. This will be a free live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Michael will answer questions and give you tips.
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FDF #25: Believable Fiction
Guest author Fiona Quinn along with author Alessandra Torre discuss strategies for writing believable fiction. Writing your scene with confidence comes from having a good intellectual and sensory understanding of what your protagonist is attempting. Join us for strategies to get the information you need under your belt so your writing is seamless and authentic. This was a live chat. In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Fiona gives you actionable tips.
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FDF #24: The psychology of thrillers
At Noon ET, guest author Andy Maslen was back with Alessandra Torre to discuss more about unpredictable emotions, unstable characters, and undermining perceptions in psychological thrillers. In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Andy answers questions and gives you actionable tips.
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FDF #23: The “unwritten law” of writing a Psychological Thriller
At Noon ET, Guest author Andy Maslen outlines the genre conventions, challenges and rewards of writing psychological thrillers from sympathetic victims to ambiguous villains. This will be a live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, he’ll answer your questions and give you actionable tips.
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FDF #22: Pantsing vs Plotting
At Noon ET, Author MJ Blehart will be comparing and contrasting the different approaches of writing styles between “pantsers” and “planners” and the pros and cons of both. This will be a live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, he’ll answer your questions and give you actionable tips.
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FDF #21: How to Structure a Novel
At Noon ET, author Jim Woods will show you a fun, simple way to structure your book. Learn how to create a compelling story that draws in the reader and keeps them turning the page. In this live video chat, he’ll answer your questions and give you actionable tips.
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FDF #20: Creating side characters that shine
At 5pm ET, author Cindy Skaggs will discuss using into secondary (or side) characters in your novel. Side characters can be instrumental in giving your book depth, opening up your fictional world, and can be a great place for additional plotlines and main character development to occur. In this live video chat, she’ll answer your questions and give you actionable tips on how to make the best use of these characters.
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FDF #19: Building a stronger editing team
At 5pm ET, editor Marion Archer will discuss what you need to know about building in the right beta readers and developmental eyes, when to bring them on, and the importance of a well-rounded editing team. She’ll answer your questions and give you actionable tips on how to have a stronger editing team and process.
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FDF #18: Writing in the Young Adult Voice
At 12pm ET, Author Morgan Baden will discuss how to nail the Young Adult voice in your writing. In this live video chat with Alessandra Torre, they will explore how tone and language can make or break an authentic teen voice, and learn what makes a book be classified as YA in the first place.
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FDF #17: How hot should your romance novel be?
At 5pm ET, romance authors Bron Whitley and Alessandra Torre will discuss heat levels in different romance subgenres. Learn tips on building chemistry among characters in sweet and steamy ways, along with some do's and don'ts of writing romantic scenes.
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