Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

It’s all about the conflict. Ratchet up the tension, arguments, and debates. Whether internal or external, whether through conversation or thought, scenes “pop” with rough seas. Fair weather and blue skies don’t make for compelling stories. Make your characters climb the mast, look to the dark horizon, and yell, “Hey matey, storm clouds a’coming!”

---

2 WRITING QUOTES

“Conflict is the lifeblood of story. What sound is to music, conflict is to story. Conflict should be present in every chapter, on every page.”

— William Bernhardt

“The only thing worth writing about is the human heart in conflict with itself.
”

— William Faulkner

---

3 Writing Questions

1. What is the internal conflict of your protagonist?

2. What is the external conflict of your protagonist?

3. How is their status quo being threatened?

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a mean moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Want to learn how to outline an amazing story? Stop right now and order Save The Cat! by Blake Snyder. Even though it’s from a screenwriter's perspective, the principles apply to books. After you finish reading it, then order Save The Cat! Writes A Novel by Jessica Brody. This book applies the Save The Cat! methodology to the world of novel writing.

---

2 WRITING QUOTES

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”

— Stephen King

“My path as a writer became much more smooth when I learned when things aren’t going well, to regard my struggles as curious, not tragic.”

— Elizabeth Gilbert

---

3 Writing Questions

1. Do you understand how the “Catalyst event” is crucial to your plot? (pages 76-55 in Save The Cat!)

2. Have you thought through your “Break Into Two?” (pages 78-79 in Save The Cat!)

3. Do you know how your “Midpoint” and “All Is Lost” moments work together? (pages 82-84 in Save The Cat!)

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a mean moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

When you’re stuck, go back to the basics of subject-verb connection. Readers hate complicated sentences because they require too much work. So pluck those unneeded words. Instead of saying, “It was hard for Bob to pay since he didn’t have any cash.” Try: “Bob opened his wallet and found it empty.”

---

2 WRITING QUOTES

“Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers. ”

— Issac Asimov

“Villains are the heroes of their own stories. ”

— Sarah Gribble

---

3 Writing Questions

1. What writing software do you use? (I’m a Scrivener fan)

2. Do you have a favorite online thesaurus? (Mine is www.wordhippo.com)

3. Who’s your favorite book villain? (I’d choose Professor Moriarty from Sherlock Holmes or Bugs Meany from Encyclopedia Brown)

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a mean moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.