A vanity press was/is a publishing house an author pays to have her book published. Because anyone could publish any book, a book published by a vanity press was frowned upon and immediately suspected of poor quality writing and no editing.
Forming my own publishing company -- Illusion Press, taught me a deep appreciation for the inside of publishing enough so I jumped at the chance to have the Plot Whisperer books published by Adams Media a traditional east coast publisher and imprint of F+W Media. I value every bit of their support and attention to detail from their editing and then more editing to the selection of the layout and content, the title and cover to the shipping and distribution and advertising and marketing and more.
In 2004, I'd been teaching plot for less than a year through UCSC-extension when, because of my background in special education and my "multi-sensory" approach to "show" plot rather than simply attempt to try to tell what plot is, the plot workshops began consistently selling-out.
Writers in those early plot workshops clamored for a how-to plot book. BBP started out as a spiral bound workbook and quickly transformed into the red light it is today. BBP supports the Plot Whisperer books and is still the best way to learn how to create a Plot Planer and a Scene Tracker to enhance the depth and meaning of your novel, memoir, screenplay at the overall story level and at the scene level, too.
I no longer publish Blockbuster Plots Pure and Simple: Take the Panic Out of Plot in book form, having moved from self-publisher in general to an e-publisher only.
And I no longer, at least not often, teach plot workshops in person, having moved to the realm of virtual plot workshops. Join me from the comfort of your own home for my live PLOT WORKSHOP Webinar hosted by Writers Digest on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 1p.m. ET.
Learn more and sign up: How to Pre-Plot and Complete a Novel or Memoir in a Month: The Benefits of Writing a Fast Draft from Beginning to End.
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Changing of the Seasons Transition
In the energy swirling around the transition from summer to fall, your 2013 writing goal spins a bit faster in anticipation of year's end. It's not too late to start/finish that novel, memoir, screenplay of yours and successfully achieve your 2013 writing goal.
Join me from the comfort of your own home for my live PLOT WORKSHOP Webinar hosted by Writers Digest on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 1p.m. ET.
Learn more and sign up: How to Pre-Plot and Complete a Novel or Memoir in a Month: The Benefits of Writing a Fast Draft from Beginning to End.
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You have 2 Months and 5 days to get a draft written in time for PlotWriMo. Beginning December 1st, follow the exercises on the Plot Whisperer blog to re"vision" and redefine the plot arc of your story. PlotWriMo is custom designed to ensure your success even during the busiest time of the year.
Begin 2014 ready for a powerful rewrite.
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The following resources support you in your pre-challenge:
1) Plot your story step-by-step with the help of
The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories
Begin 2014 ready for a powerful rewrite.
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The following resources support you in your pre-challenge:
1) Plot your story step-by-step with the help of
2) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
named BEST BOOKS FOR WRITERS by Poets&Writers. The author provides insight on how to create works of fiction with powerful stories and focuses on how to devise a Universal Plot, plot lines and subplots, compelling scenes, and character transformation.
3) Refer to The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing
4) Watch the Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. Scroll down on the left of this post for a directory of all the steps to the series. 27-step tutorial on Youtube
5) Watch the Monday Morning Plot Book Group Series on YouTube. Scroll down on the right of this post for a directory the book examples and plot elements discussed.
For more tips about how to use plot and the Universal Story in your novel, memoir or screenplay, visit:
***** Knowing what to write where in a story with a plot reinforces daily writing practice and allows for more productivity in your writing. Whether writing a first draft or revising, if you falter wondering what comes next in a story with a plot, follow the prompts in The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing.
Today, I write.