
FDF #30: Writing characters your readers will love.
Join us, Friday, October 8th at Noon Eastern Time. Our guest, bestselling author Tamie Dearen enters in to a discussion with Alessandra Torre about writing characters your readers will love and sympathize with, even when your plot forces them to do unlikable things. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Tamie will answer questions, and give you actionable tips!
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FDF #29: Writing Horror Effectively
Join us, Friday, September 24th at Noon Eastern Time. Our guest, bestselling author of Under a Mourning Star and Harvest The Children, Jack Pierce in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about writing horror effectively. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Jack will answer questions, and give you actionable tips! Sign up now!
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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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More rookie mistakes made by first-time novelists (and how to avoid them)
In this article on common mistakes made by first-time authors, we look at telling instead of showing, head hopping and using the author's voice in place of the character's.
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