27 Tools for Writers

Writers use many tools! Here are some I use online, offline, and by hand.
Essential Writing Tools:

Pen or pencil. No, you don’t need this $2000, 18k gold pen. Or even this pen and pencil set. These pencils are fine.
paper

Preferred Writing Tools

WordPerfect

Big Scenes

Every Novel Needs a Scene
In my WIP, I need to write a big scene: cast of dozens, culmination of major plot threads, emotional high for major characters.
Big scenes should be a part of every novel, because there should be places where characters, plot events, outer and inner narratives arcs, and subplots intersect. The [...]

Outline scenes

This outline of a scene often helps me plan what to write for the day.

After the First Draft

I have a new Ebook available for free download.
After the First Draft
After the First Draft: 30 Fast, Easy Writing Tips to Help with the Second Draft is a reworking of the series of blog posts, 30 Days to a Stronger Novel. This version collects everything in one place and provides an easy reference.

A Washington Voice Retreat

Western Washington SCBWI Retreat: Voice
The retreat was great. There were about 40-45 people there and they were split into two groups. Group A came to me, while Group B went to Patti Gauch, then we swapped for the same presentation again. I sorta knew how Patti would approach voice (and I might have done many [...]

3 NaNoWriMo Tips to Make Revision Easier

NaNoWriMo is in full swing! That means over 50,000 writers are slugging out 50,000 words, working on the first draft of a novel, in the 30 days of November. But I’m thinking ahead to December when that first rough draft needs revision. Here are 3 things to keep in mind as you’re writing [...]

An Apt Phrase

When I’m writing or revising a novel, one of the fun games I like to play is the search for an apt phrase.
An Apt Phrase

Lately, I’ve been listening to recorded books of Rex Stout’s classic detective series about Nero Wolfe, the overweight, orchid enthusiast. His sidekick, Archie Goodwin, tells the story and does all the [...]

Scene Cuts

This entry is part 11 of 13 in the series How to Write a NovelScene Cuts Help Quicken Your Novel’s Pace
Readers today like fast-paced novels. Yet, too fast a pace confuses the reader. When you revise your novel, you can solve this by paying attention to transitions.

Where are we? The most important thing to [...]

Begin at the Beginning

This entry is part 13 of 13 in the series How to Write a NovelBegin at the Beginning
Where to begin your novel, that is the question?
When you write the first draft, you should jump in and get started. But when you revise your novel, you have a better chance of making the right choice.

Connect the [...]

Connecting Emotional and Narrative Arcs

This entry is part 8 of 13 in the series How to Write a NovelConnecting Emotional and Narrative Arcs
The emotional arc is the inner conflict; the narrative arc is the outer conflict. How do you get these two arcs to mesh?
Peter Dunne, in his book Emotional Structure: Creating the Story Beneath the Plot has [...]