Every once in a while, a friend and I go out of the area for a writers’ retreat.  This isn’t sponsored by anyone or anything–it’s just us–Judith Laik and I, and sometimes our two other friends can make it if we’re lucky.  We pack up our clothes, food, and writing materials . [...]

If I knew what to write, I’d write it!

How many times have you heard that?
Or said it yourself?
Or thought it?

Some writers prefer to keep their stories to themselves, some will brainstorm with anyone who will hold still. I fall into the latter category. One of the things I’ve learned over the [...]

POV–It’s What Tells the Story

POV is an acronym for Point of View, also called Viewpoint.

This class isn’t about how to write limited third-person POV; rather, how to use POV to tell your story. It is, after all, one of the most powerful toolboxes. While writers have great fun arguing over which [...]

lotting Your Story, Part 3: Structure
by Jacquie Rogers

Without Conflict, There’s No Story!

This is the third class in a four-part workshop exclusively at Texty Ladies, Plotting Your Story. If you’d like to read the other classes, they are:

Part 1: Theme
Part 2: Character

Today’s class is on Structure.

In the first class, [...]

Plotting Your Story, Part 2: Character
by Jacquie Rogers

It’s All About the Characters!

This is the second class in a four-part workshop. Last Monday, in Plotting Your Story: Part 1, we discussed Theme. Today’s class is on Character.

Authors seem to love to debate which is better, a plot-driven story [...]

Plotting Your Story, Part 1

by Jacquie Rogers

Thanks to Jane and Pam for inviting me to be with you at Texty Ladies during the month of November. We were discussing how to plot a story, and how we all love to add new tips and tricks to our toolboxes. Since 1997, that’s [...]