Let's Write Your Novel!

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When we set out to write a novel, we have one goal, which is to write a novel. But we also know that having the goal of writing a novel is not unlike standing at the foot of a mountain with the plan to climb it. We know it’s going to be amazing at the top but, man, that’s a long, hard path to climb. So today we’re going to talk about setting small goals along the way. Writing a novel is hard, and fear is part of the journey FOR EVERYONE. The way to accomplish it is to not focus only on the finish line, but on landmarks that are as close together as you need them to be. Links:Take the quick quiz and find out your best next step toward writing your novel: https://hellowriters.net/quizBook your free discovery call! https://hellowriters.net/freecallAbout:Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken and numerous published essays and articles. She lives in Pacific NW Washington with her family, two cats and a spunky pup. Learn more at https://hellowriters.net

There is no one “right” way to write a novel. But there are basic types of plot points which every story, no matter how simple or complex, needs to include. Using a strategy like this Pixar storytelling model is one way to make sure you’ve got them covered.Links:Take the quick quiz and find out your best next step toward writing your novel: https://hellowriters.net/quizBook your free discovery call! https://hellowriters.net/freecallEp 67: How to Play With Your PlotEp. 47: Tie Your Scenes TogetherCreativity, Inc. by Ed CatmullAbout:Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken and numerous published essays and articles. She lives in Pacific NW Washington with her family, two cats and a spunky pup. Learn more at https://hellowriters.net/. 

Having vague or fuzzy ideas can lead to self-doubt and discouragement, but self-doubt does not need to keep you from writing your book. In this episode, we’re playing with plot ideas by asking the question “what if?” and watching as a story begins to take shape. Links:Book your free discovery call! https://hellowriters.net/freecallTake the quick quiz and find out your best next step toward writing your novel: https://hellowriters.net/quizStory Genius, by Lisa CronAbout:Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken and numerous published essays and articles. She lives in Pacific NW Washington with her family, two cats and a spunky pup.

You can increase the chances that a reader will connect with your story, and understanding your ideal reader is one way to do just that. If you want the point of your story to come across loud and clear, you need to understand what your ideal reader is bringing to the table.Links:Take the quick quiz and find out your best next step toward writing your novel: https://hellowriters.net/quizBook your free discovery call! https://hellowriters.net/freecallAbout:Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken and numerous published essays and articles. She lives in Pacific NW Washington with her family, two cats and a spunky pup.

Self-doubt (a.k.a. imposter syndrome, writers’ block and the inner critic) is an experience that all writers have. The question is not how to get rid of it, but how to understand it and work with it. Links:Take the quick quiz and find out your best next step toward writing your novel: https://hellowriters.net/quizBook your free discovery call! https://hellowriters.net/freecallAbout:Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken and numerous published essays and articles. She lives in Pacific NW Washington with her family, two cats and a spunky pup.Follow Stephanie on Instagram for more writing-related (and, sometimes dog-related) stories! https://instagram.com/hellowriters

Working with a book coach is a lot like working with a personal trainer for exercise. Can you do it without one? Sure! But are there benefits to working with someone who deeply understands the skills and strategies and will support you as you reach for the big goals? Absolutely. Links:Book a free, no-commitment call to talk through your story: https://hellowriters.net/freecallWant to write a novel but not sure where to start?Started a novel but gotten stuck?Take the quick quiz and find out your best next step toward writing your novel: https://hellowriters.net/quizAbout:Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken and numerous published essays and articles. She lives in Pacific NW Washington with her family, two cats and a spunky pup.Follow Stephanie on Instagram for more writing-related (and, sometimes dog-related) stories! https://instagram.com/hellowriters

Why is your protagonist making the decisions they’re making in the story? If you want your reader to care about what happens next, the best way is to answer three essential questions about your protagonist's motivation. You can’t guarantee someone will like your book, but you can increase the chances that a reader will connect with your story. Links:Take the quick quiz and find out your best next step toward writing your novel: https://hellowriters.net/quizWant to learn more about book coaching? Visit https://hellowriters.net/servicesAbout:Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken and numerous published essays and articles. She lives in Pacific NW Washington with her family, two cats and a spunky pup.  Follow Stephanie on Instagram for more writing-related (and, sometimes dog-related) stories! https://instagram.com/hellowriters

What does it actually take to write a novel? This episode is all about what to expect in terms of effort, time investment and emotional exertion.  Writing a novel is hard, and it takes a long time. But it’s worth it! Links:Take the quick quiz and find out your best next step toward writing your novel: https://hellowriters.net/quizWant to learn more about small group coaching? https://hellowriters.net/groupAbout:Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken and numerous published essays and articles. She lives in Pacific NW Washington with her family, two cats and a spunky pup.  Follow Stephanie on Instagram for more writing-related (and, sometimes dog-related) stories! https://instagram.com/hellowriters

Feeling unmotivated or uncertain about your current work-in-progress? In this episode, we’ll dig into an important question that will unearth reasons you didn't even know were there and give you the confidence you need to move forward.Links:Take the quick quiz and find out your best next step toward writing your novel: https://hellowriters.net/quizWant to learn more about small group coaching? https://hellowriters.net/groupAbout:Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken and numerous published essays and articles. She lives in Pacific NW Washington with her family, two cats and a spunky pup. 

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the thought of writing a novel? No lie, it’s hard work. But this episode lays out a three-phase process that is structured enough to support you while allowing for your creative inspiration. There is no “right” way to write a novel, but you and your story deserve clarity, efficiency, and intentionality. This is how you get it.Links:Take the quick quiz and find out your best next step toward writing your novel: https://hellowriters.net/quizWant to learn more about small group coaching? https://hellowriters.net/groupAbout:Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken and numerous published essays and articles. She lives in Pacific NW Washington with her family, two cats and a spunky pup.  Follow Stephanie on Instagram for more writing-related (and, sometimes dog-related) stories! https://instagram.com/hellowriters

When was the last time you sat down to write your book? If you’re experiencing difficulty finding your way to the page, this short episode is for you. We’ll peel back the layers to find out what’s beneath it, and learn how to manage our self-doubt in order to write anyway.Links: Take the quick quiz and find out your best next step toward writing your novel: https://hellowriters.net/quizSchedule a FREE discovery session! https://hellowriters.net/discoveryAbout:Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken and numerous published essays and articles. She lives in Pacific NW Washington with her family, two cats and a spunky pup.Follow Stephanie on Instagram for more writing-related (and, sometimes dog-related) stories! https://instagram.com/hellowriters

Your protagonist is not just bouncing from one event to another. They are changing as a result of those events. In this episode, we dig into your protagonist’s arc of emotional change, both why it matters and how to establish it. Links:Take the quick quiz and find out your best next step toward writing your novel: https://hellowriters.net/quizSchedule a FREE discovery session! https://hellowriters.net/discoveryEpisode 12: What is it really about?About:Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken and numerous essays and articles. She lives in Pacific NW Washington with her family, two cats and a spunky pup.Follow Stephanie on Instagram for more writing-related (and, sometimes dog-related) stories! https://instagram.com/hellowriters

You know that there’s value in planning your novel ahead of time, but you just can’t quite make yourself do it. You are not alone! In today’s episode, we talk about the plotter/pantser continuum and how to explore the options for starting a novel in a way that is authentic to your own writing practice, while also challenging some old beliefs you might be able to let go of. Links:Take the quick quiz and find out your best next step toward writing your novel: https://hellowriters.net/quizSchedule a FREE discovery session! https://hellowriters.net/discovery

Have you got an idea for a novel but you're not sure where to start? Or maybe started and gotten stuck? Here are two easy-breezy but powerful (and did I mention FREE) ways to kickstart yourself with actionable, practical next steps:Take the QUIZ! I want to write a novel...where do I start?Book a FREE discovery call with yours truly and let's talk about it! 

#056  Knowing where your novel starts and ends provides structure, efficiency and focus within your novel-writing journey. In this episode, we explore three strategies for making these early decisions in a way that feels true and right for your story. 

While secondary characters might seem less important than your protagonist, they actually serve a very important purpose. They drive the story forward and give the protagonist context, relationships, roadblocks, relief, and more. In this episode, we look at the role of secondary characters in your novel and ask questions that will clarify their purpose in your novel. For more like this or to learn more about working with a book coach, visit https://hellowriters.net.Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken and numerous essays and articles. She lives in Pacific NW Washington with her family, two cats and a spunky pup.Follow Stephanie on Instagram for more writing-related (and, sometimes dog-related) stories! https://instagram.com/hellowriters

#54 How do we create primary characters that are nuanced and complex without being stereotypical, flat, or strange caricatures of themselves? The key is to know them. Like, really know them. And it’s more than knowing things like their favorite sandwich or where they grew up. We have to know what makes them tick! Here are some questions to get you started!For more like this or to learn more about working with a book coach, visit https://hellowriters.net.Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken and numerous essays and articles. She lives in Pacific NW Washington with her family, two cats and a spunky pup.Follow Stephanie on Instagram for more writing-related (and, sometimes dog-related) stories! https://instagram.com/hellowriters

We're not making resolutions here. We're looking at what worked last year and what didn't, what we want to accomplish in 2022 and how we're going to make that happen! While much of the world is out of our control, our writing lives and our results are fully within it. Let's do this, writers! Links: Free guide! 10 Essential Questions to Ask Before Starting Your NovelHello Writers on Instagram

Why does your character make the decisions she makes? Why does the "bad guy" act the way he does?  Hint: there is ALWAYS a reason. In today's episode, we're looking at the four questions that will get to the root of your character's motivations and help keep their actions heading in the direction you want them to go. Links:Blog / Podcast notesFree Guide! 10 Essential Questions to Ask Before Starting Your Novel