The 2021 First Chapters Writing Contest Winners

by Lewis / December 21, 2021 / News

It’s time to announce the winners!

Entries opened for the fourth annual First Chapters Writing Contest exactly two weeks ago, and I’ve received dozens of awesome submissions ever since. Between a determined space mailman, a spit-fire orphan, and a whole variety of mages, witches, and warlocks, it’s been great getting to know all the fascinating characters that populate your stories.

Of course, this is a contest—meaning two stories eventually came out on top. So, today I’m excited to announce the winners of the 2021 First Chapters Writing Contest!

A Crash Course on the Motivation-Reaction Unit

by Lewis / December 14, 2021 / Editing, Story Structure

As writers, our goal is to create stories that feel real.

Naturally, this is easier said than done. Despite our best efforts, our novels will always be collections of words on paper, rather than actual events happening to our readers. Yet, plenty of novels still feel real despite this—and that is thanks to the motivation-reaction unit.

Though the name may sound intimidating, motivation-reaction units are a simple formula writers can use to craft prose that feels visceral and alive for our readers. So, let me walk you through the two halves of the motivation-reaction unit, along with a few things you’ll need to remember when writing MRUs of your own!

The 2021 First Chapters Writing Contest

by Lewis / December 7, 2021 / News

Are you ready to put your novel to the test?

With NaNoWriMo officially behind us, I imagine many of you have a newly minted first draft sitting on your desk—meaning now, it’s time to figure out what comes next. Perhaps you still have a few thousand words to write, or maybe you’re ready to begin revisions, hunt for critique partners, or even enlist the help of a professional editor.

However, no matter what your next steps are, there’s one option I think you should consider—and that is entering a contest! Specifically, the 2021 First Chapters Writing Contest.

5 Steps for Recovering from Writing Burnout

by Lewis / November 23, 2021 / Inspiration, NaNoWriMo

Writer’s block is a major issue in the writing world…

However, it’s far from the only one. Alongside writer’s block, there’s another, even more dangerous ailment that can grind your writing journey to a halt for months at a time—and that is writer’s burnout.

Distinct from writer’s block, writer’s burnout is a deeper problem, one wrapped up in feelings of shame, guilt, or an intense need to be “productive.” And, while it’s particularly prevalent during NaNoWriMo and the New Year, it’s still something you can struggle with at any time. So, whether you’re taking part in an intense writing challenge or just trying to get a handle on your writing routine, let me help you confront this writer’s burnout head on!

How to Craft Your Protagonist’s Inner and Outer Journeys

by Lewis / November 9, 2021 / Character Development

Your protagonist is your most important character…

Not only are they the central figure of your novel, but they’re also the main agent of change in your story. They’ll progress your plot, grow and evolve, and eventually resolve your core conflict. Most importantly, they’ll be your readers’ avatar, and are who people will think of first when they reflect on your novel.

The question is, how can you write a protagonist readers will actually want to remember? With so many roles attached to them, it’s no wonder that this process involves a lot of pressure. Fortunately, the answer isn’t as complicated as you might think! You simply need to leverage two key journeys: your hero’s inner journey, and their outer journey.