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24 January 2015

New Website! New Blog! 2 New Programs!

Striving always toward full integration of the logical - linear and analytical with the intuitive - creative and imaginative, I've united those parts in a lovely new website! Come visit me!

MarthaAlderson.com

And, a lovely new blog as part of the site.

MarthaAlderson.com/Plot-Whisperer-Blog/

For plot tips and tricks, resources and workshops, personal inspiration and transformation, subscribe to my new blog and check out my two new programs. Well, one new and one a re-filming.

See you there!

12 January 2015

Writers: Enliven Your Imagination and Embrace the Miraculous

Dictionary definition of Imagination:
  • The capacity to form a picture in your mind of something that you have not seen / experienced / isn't real
  • The skill of thinking new things
  • Creative ability
  • Something that exists or happens in your mind
Does imagination come from our minds? Is it a brain-based skill? Or, does it come from outside of us like the muse? To embrace the miraculous demands an openness to all possibilities and a whimsical imagination.

In today's world, we often use our imaginations to imagine the worst. We're dissuaded from being led by fancy and persuaded to follow reason. In fear of appearing childish, we overrule our imagination with logic.

Writers benefit from a vivid imagination. An inward journey takes you back, back before any wounding, all the way back to the imaginations of our innocence. Imagination opens us to embrace all choices, alternatives, solutions. Suddenly, we're surrounded by the miraculous.

If my 95-year old mother believed the vision of birds in a far-off nest impossible and improbable because of her macular degeneration, the vision disappears. That she has an openness to the impossible and amazing, astounding, remarkable, extraordinary, incredible, unbelievable, sensational, and even what could be viewed as highly improbable and extraordinary, she experiences a miracle. The blind seeing.

Swirling thoughts as I film the next exercise for:


Led by intuition, inspiration and enthusiasm, I wade deeper into the spiritual waters of creativity. Join me!

This is the year you start believing in miracles… again and, like my mom, daily live the wonder of birds fly to and fro a distant tree.

COMING SOON!
All Inclusive Special Offer
$9.99 
2015 Plot Whisperer Beta-Membership includes BOTH: 
 ~~~~~
For plot help and resources throughout the year:
1) The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories
2)  The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
3)  The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing

Click for the New and Improved version PlotWriMo

09 January 2015

You've Thought About It and Thought About It: This is Your Year to Write that Story!

This is your year! If you've been thinking and thinking and thinking about writing a novel, memoir, screenplay… this is the year to stop thinking and time to start writing.

Lots of people believe you're either born to be a writer or you're not. I believe that we all have stories to tell and, by writing consistently and studying the craft of plot, we each have the ability to write those stories.

Some writers struggle finding and developing the plot and design of their stories. I also work with writers who struggle finding the confidence and belief in their imaginations to actually embark upon the epic journey writing takes us.

Next week I launch two programs, one revised and one new:
  • 27-Step Tutorial: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay?
  • The Spiritual Guide for Writers: How to Embrace the Infinite Wisdom of the Universal Story and Transform Your Own Unique Creative Expression the Plot Whisperer Way
Now, whether you're held back because you don't know how to proceed or you're held back by fear (or both), I've got the programs to help!

Check back next week when both programs become available.

COMING SOON!
All Inclusive Special Offer
$9.99 
2015 Plot Whisperer Beta-Membership includes BOTH: 
 ~~~~~
For plot help and resources throughout the year:
1) The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories
2)  The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
3)  The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing

Click for the New and Improved version PlotWriMo

04 January 2015

Spiritual Guide for Writers: How to Embrace the Infinite Wisdom of the Universal Story and Empower Your Own Unique Creative Expression the Plot Whisperer Way

From years of working with writers and teaching about the Universal Story I've come to believe that we’re all on the same transformative journey, child, adult, all of us together. Without a map of the journey, we're often left reeling, feeling slapped by life and confused. I have that map and I'm eager to share it with you.

  • Step away from the drama swirling in life
  • Understand how your own personal story alignes with the Universal Story
  • Appreciate the forces both supporting and interfering with your success 
  • Recognize the deeper meaning behind your reaction to situations
  • Identify the significance of friends and foes in your life
  • Discover how you trip yourself up 
Awareness of the Universal Story brings a more intense consciousness of:
  • your purpose
  • the words you speak
  • the schedules you create
  • your habits and behavior
This universal rhythm is the undercurrent of every breath you take, every story you tell yourself, and all the stories you write. Learn to refer to it when you find yourself mired and lost or simply when you are curious about where you are and where you are headed or, at least, the general direction you are moving.

COMING SOON!
All Inclusive Special Offer
$9.99 
2015 Plot Whisperer Beta-Membership includes BOTH: 
  • The Spiritual Guide for Writers Video Program 
  • 27-Step Tutorial: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay Video Program
 ~~~~~
For plot help and resources throughout the year:
1) The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories
2)  The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
3)  The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing

Click for the New and Improved version PlotWriMo

02 January 2015

27-Step Tutorial: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay

The original The 27-Step Tutorial: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay?, viewed over 160,000 times, sprang out my passion for teaching plot, my first book Blockbuster Plots Pure and Simple  and all the workshops and retreats and conferences I've taught.

I was offered a contract to write The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master mid-way through filming that series and the tutorial helped shaped that book. As one 5-Star reviewer commented on Amazon: An understanding of the plot development trajectory of classic and award-winning stories reveals an "undeniably consistent pattern - the bones that make up the skeleton of virtually every irresistible tale." 

The reviewer goes on to say: "As a former educator [Alderson] is adept at moving students beyond abstract concept to the tangible and concrete. For me it was like the plotting lightbulb flickered from 15 incandescent watts to 200 halogen. Amazing and totally exhilarating!

Because of the series popularity, I felt you deserved less external distractions and a cleaner presentation.

I'm re-filming the series now. If you'd like to follow along as I film all 27 steps to plotting a novel, memoir, screenplay, I'm offering a beta-membership in mid-January.

COMING SOON!
All Inclusive Special Offer
$9.99 
2015 Plot Whisperer Beta-Membership includes BOTH: 
  • 27-Step Tutorial: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay Video Program
 ~~~~~
For plot help and resources throughout the year:
1) The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories
2)  The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
3)  The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing

Click for the New and Improved version PlotWriMo

01 January 2015

Writing a Story is Like a Vision Quest

When you give birth to the dream of writing a novel, finishing a screenplay or publishing a memoir, you travel the same journey your protagonist does.

The journey offers the gift of transformation, one that is often deep and profound.

However, along the way to crafting a story and living a writer’s life, it is easy to get detoured. You find yourself wandering aimlessly and meeting one dead-end moment after another.

Whether you're in the flow of writing a story or stalled and blocked, there comes a time in all of our lives when you feel pushed to separate from all you know and wander off alone in search of meaning. People of all ages undergo this powerful journey.

A map comes in handy.

I have that map and I'm eager to share it with you.

Though writing a novel, memoir, screenplay can takes years, on a traditional Native American vision quest, one spends several days and nights alone in nature. This solitary time in nature connects fundamental forces and spiritual energies of creation and self-identity to reveal profound insight about yourself, your story, your purpose and destiny in life and the world around you.

I invite you on a vision quest with the help of the Universal Story. Like most vision quests under the guidance of an elder, I serve in that capacity. I use many of the same ideas I developed to help writers create a compelling plot for their stories to help you reconnect to your intended spiritual and life purpose.
  • Are you standing at a turning point uncertain which way to go?
  • Is the view around you muddy? 
  • Days drag?
  • Going through the motions?
  • Wondering where you lost your passion?
The wilderness we travel together isn't in a forest or by a secluded lake. Our journey is an inward one taken wherever you feel a sense of safety. You won't be asked to be sleep deprived or shut in a small room to commune with the other side. Simple exercises are designed to take you there in the comfort of your own home. You don't have to fast and wait for a Guardian animal or force of nature to provide you with a vision or dream and give guidance for your life. Rather than stumble about alone, this program guides to fully understand the true power that resides in you and in your stories.

In the end, you'll returns to your old life transformed and with a new direction in life which will cause all those around you to shift and change as well.

COMING SOON!
Special $9.99 
2015 Plot Whisperer Beta-Membership includes BOTH: 
  • The Spiritual Guide for Writers Video Program
  • 27-Step Tutorial: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay Video Program
Details to follow...