Megan's Favourite Writing Resources

Hello, friends!

I thought I'd do a small blog post about writing resources. This is probably one of those blogposts I'll add to over the years as I collect things. If anyone has any they love, let me know!

PLOT:

- Jami Gold's Beat Sheet Page. (https://jamigold.com/2012/02/how-to-use-the-save-the-cat-beat-sheet/). I can't take credit for this one! I saw it on Alexandra Bracken's Instagram. She mentions it in her writing videos which I've listed below.

This is a fantastic resource, it's an interactive downloadable chart in which you can input what word count you're working towards, and it calculates what page numbers your story beats should be hitting. For someone who struggled to wrap my head around what I felt was the rigidity of 'beat sheets' and 'plot' for a while, this has helped me so much. Highly recommend!

- ROMANCING THE BEAT by Gwen Hayes.

This tiny book is honestly the best craft book I've ever read and usually when I gush about it, I find other writers who love it, too. It's short and sweet, funny and easy to understand. I think she also has downloadable bits from the book on her website so check out her website, but I recommend grabbing the book as then you can scribble in it.

This book is primarily about how to write romance, however, it's great for everyone as the focus of all books is usually character. And, as you learn reading this book, character is everything in a romance novel. Therefore, it's fantastic for helping you wrap your mind around your character's weaknesses, desires and needs: all key things to build your plot. Because, to keep a plot and character active, the main character has to be striving towards their goals/desires, thus, writing their own story.

- Alexandra Bracken's Writing Diaries on Instagram (first one here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/B-Nf-hcAs6b/)

I learned SO MUCH from watching Alex's videos. She takes you through her drafting process, Q&A's about plot and much more. Not only do I love hearing about how other writers go about their craft, but she imparted so many fantastic pieces of info, dropped her own favourite writing resources and broke down a lot of elements of plot that were difficult for me to wrap my head around for a while! (I'm looking at you John Truby)

- Adrienne Young's Writing Highlights on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/adrienneyoungbooks/):

These are listed in her highlights under: Story Dev, Drafting & Revising.

Again, I love seeing other author's writing processes. Mainly, because it reminds me in thick of writing or when it gets tough and I'm stuck that it's possible to do this, and indeed, sometimes, quite simple! I love Adrienne's well laid out process and completely agree with her long day-dreaming/brainstorming process. I find that essential too.

She also walks you through how to use Scrivener, which, if you don't have, is a program for writers.

BRAINSTORMING:

- Pinterest. I will preach about Pinterest forever if I could. It's especially useful for someone like me who is very visual when it comes to writing. I like a book to feel cinematic, and if I can't mentally see a scene, I'll get stuck quickly the writing will turn stilted and I'll begin to hate the scene.

I also make sections in each Pinterest board for the main characters which really allows me to home in on who that character is. What's their aesthetic? What would they wear? (I'm terrible imagining clothes). What colour scheme fits them?

Also, if a scene just feels wrong to me and I can't figure out why, I'll head to Pinterest and make sure that the vibe, colour scheme and cinematography is working, or note what key recurring images are on my boards, and make sure they're in the story.

- Music. Ok, these sound obvious and simple but sometimes the simplest things are the things we forget. I find music is another key element for me to get into the mindset of a character, the 'vibe' of a scene, or lose myself in a scene and not listen too much to any outside noise (hello house of six people).

I make playlists for individual characters, but also books as a whole. I also recommend checking out your favourite writer's Spotify playlists, other writers have the best soundtrack playlists!

Ok, that's all I can think of for now! But I'll be adding as the years go on and I find more jewels.

Love & Magic,

Megan