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My new workshop for the OnConference

In October, I’m leading an interactive workshop at the Writer Unboxed OnConference called “Losing the Plot: Writing by the Seat of Your Pants.” It’s the workshop I’ve always wanted to see at a conference, and when I gave it at Pike’s Peak Writers in May, the feedback was excellent.

One attendee called it “group therapy for pantsers.” I’m not a therapist, but I agree. There’s value in feeling seen, and in an industry that pushes plotting really hard, those of us who don’t/can’t plot often feel like we’re in the minority or doing it wrong. Spoiler: we’re not!

I’m excited about the OnConference. Therese Walsh of Writer Unboxed has put together an incredible line-up of writers and industry folks, including literary agent and craft expert Donald Maass (teaching new material from his upcoming book), novelist and playwright Desmond Hall, and editor and authenticity reader Grace Wynter.

Not only that, but the format is different from the typical all-day cram fest. The sessions are spread out over several weeks—and recorded—so you don’t have to drop everything else in your life to attend. The platform is open 24/7 to allow writers to virtually hang out at tables, and even make their own tables by topic.

Sound good? Click the image below to check it out. Discounted early bird registration ends August 31st, so don’t delay if you plan to sign up!

Book rec for writers: The Heroine’s Journey

I’m not a plotter, but I still find it useful to study story structure and the craft of writing.

My latest foray into structure is The Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger. It’s an important counterpoint to the “hero’s journey” approach, and it’s not just for stories about or by women. Written in Carriger’s snarky, irreverent voice, it identifies the key elements of the heroine’s journey, gives examples of its uses in both myth and (some very) popular fiction/media, and discusses how to incorporate it into your own work.

Have you read it? If so, what'd you think? Do you find books on story structure helpful?

Interview replay now available

If you missed my appearance on John Hruby’s Author To Author Convo live last month, the replay is now available on YouTube. It was a fun (and rare) opportunity for me to talk about writing separate from Scrivener (though we did touch on Scrivener a bit too, of course).

One of my favorite things was getting to discuss the importance of figuring out how YOU best create. As a pantser who spent years trying to contort myself into the plotter I thought I had to be to be a good writer, I’m trying to get the message out.

We also discussed how to “fill the well” so you can keep writing, why story structure is helpful even if you don’t plot, and more.

If any of that sounds interesting, check it out and let me know what you think. 

Spilling my writerly secrets (or something). Live on Saturday!

What are you doing on Saturday? If you’re not sure yet, consider joining me live as I take the hot seat on middle grade author and life/creativity coach John J. Hruby’s Author to Author Convo series! 

I’m not sure I’m as confident as he seems to think I am (see below), but I love talking about writing almost as much as John loves ellipses…

Are you ready to join us? To learn more about what John has planned for the interview, and get the RSVP link, keep reading. I hope to see you there!

Gwen Hernandez name

P.S. Scrivener peeps: The Scrivener 3 for Windows Compile Mastery course opens this week! Expect another post from me very, very soon. 😉

There is a solidness … a quality of ownership … that Gwen has about being a writer and an author. I don't sense it as ego. She is kind, fun, and generous. I look forward to you meeting her.

To me, it seems like she “knows who she is” and she's comfortable in her skin.

This is EXACTLY the type of author I want to talk to … and learn from.

And, this makes 100% sense to me. Gwen has written seven books. SEVEN. I look forward to our Author to Author Convo and Q & A on Saturday, July 17th. I invite you to join us for a lively and in-depth conversation about writing and the spirit of creativity.

I anticipate we will have an opportunity to learn a lot. I look forward to exploring how she:

  • Taps into inspiration (year after year … book after book).
  • Gets herself unstuck from procrastination & distractions … so she can write.
  • Creates and talks to her characters … and do they talk back?
  • Plots her stories or do they just “come to her” … or a little of both?
  • How she got started … what gave her the confidence to write her first book?
  • What keeps her going when times get tough?

I look forward to asking her:
What is the best writing advice she has ever heard that continues to serve her today?

Author to Author Convo
Saturday, July 17, 2021
10 am Pacific / 12 pm Central / 1 pm Eastern

Click Here to RSVP Now and to join us for a lively and inspiring conversation about creativity, inspiration, and productivity.

The Author to Author Convo series is created with the intention of Empowering Writers and assisting all of us with experiencing our next level of Creative Freedom and Productivity.

Free Indie Novelist Summit starts tomorrow!

If you’re interested in finally writing, publishing and marketing your first novel, then keep reading.

Brian Berni, best-selling author and creator of Authorstech.com, has just announced his latest project, and it’s a going to be amazing!

He’s pulled together SCORES of the most successful names in indie publishing to share their best tips, strategies, and ideas for writing, publishing and marketing a page-turner your readers won’t be able to put down.

And it’s all coming to you FREE in The Indie Novelist Summit!

Rocket ship on blue circular field above the words Indie Novelist Summit

You’ll hear the latest and greatest from world-class writers and publishing experts like Joanna Penn, Adam Croft, Joel Friedlander, Dave Chesson, Derek Murphy, Matt Stone, James Scott Bell… Plus dozens more, including me! 😬

Click here to get your free ticket!

Just in time for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), the Indie Novelist Summit will take place October 17-21, and I can promise it’ll be stellar. Brian is bringing together the biggest names and most knowledgeable experts to share their best secrets.

And my readers get a free ticket!

Here’s just a small sample of what you’ll learn on the live masterclasses:

  • How to Master Your Mindset
  • How to Come Up With Ideas For Your Novel (That Are Proven to Work)
  • How to Beat Writer’s Block Once and For All
  • How to Market Your Novel Step-by-step
  • Plus much, much more!

If you’re serious about writing your first novel, this is a must-attend event.

Not only will you be exposed to tons of new ideas and strategies, you’ll also have the opportunity to connect in real time with some of the most innovative and cutting-edge thinkers on in indie publishing today.

Whether you’re a relative newcomer to the writing world or you’ve been dreaming of writing your novel for years, you’ll learn tons of new strategies to write, publish and market your first work of fiction.

The Indie Novelist Summit starts tomorrow, and my session is on Thursday at 6pm Eastern (right after James Scott Bell 😮).

I’ve already grabbed my ticket—get yours now! It takes less than a minute, and you’ll be all set to take your writing to the next level.

Happy writing!