Raise your hand if you hate the word plot. Plot is one of those words that, as my favorite writer George Saunders notes, isn’t very useful for us writers.

Today, I’m going to share a definition of plot that I actually find actionable and tell you how I use that definition to write my novels. I’ve used it to write and publish three novels and counting.

It’s also going to help you plot your book quickly. Ready? Let’s go. 

If you're thinking, why can't I finish my darn book? you've come to the right place. Does this sound like you?

You have one, or two, or eight files on your computer with that Great American Novel title as their file name, but when you open it, you've only written the first 10 pages or maybe even a hundred pages.

Whatever it is, you can't seem to finish writing your draft. What's up? Is it you? Is it that you can't come up with a good enough idea?

No, it's probably neither. Here I'm going to talk about the most common reasons why you can't finish your draft and how to fix them.

If there's one bit of software that I recommend to every writer I work with, it's Scrivener. Why? Well, I use it and I think it really helps to organize your thoughts, plan out your writing, and keep everything in one place.

When we're writing something as big as a book, planning and organization are very important, and just keeping on track and not getting confused by your own project. So in this video, I want to give you an overview of the software and how I use it in my own writing.

Everybody has to start somewhere on their writing journey. We all have things to learn. I've published three novels and I still have a ton to learn.

But there are a number of mistakes that are quite common for new writers to make when it comes to actually writing books and stories. I want to share the top five common ones that I see. So let's go.

Today we're talking about how to blast past writer's block in just minutes. Writer's block is something that can strike all of us at one point or another, no matter how many ideas you have or how experienced a writer you are.

The good news is that there are a number of simple techniques that you can use to get past it quickly and easily. So let's take a look at some of my favorite techniques.

Today I'm going to share with you the three bits of software that I think you need in your life as a writer. As writers, I know we all have our favorite way to write.

Some of us write on iPads. Some people swear by notebooks and ink. Some romantic types have their typewriter or their more modern version of typewriters. And in the magic of the digital era, we now have software that that can sometimes be absolutely essential.

So in this video, I'm going to share my three favorite kinds of software to use as a writer. Let's go!

Today I'm going to share with you five books that I think every writer needs to read. For a writer, a good book on writing can be your best friend.

My favorite books on writing have literally changed my life and how I view the world.

I'm really excited to share those with you today, but their power also goes both ways. A bad book on writing can derail you and that has happened to me, so I'm also going to tell you the book that did that for me, which I tell everyone not to read.

So let me share my favorite books and my least favorite writing book with you now. Let's go!

Today I'm sharing three things that no one tells you about writing your first book. I've written three books over the last few years, and I've coached many others to write and complete their books.

Working with writers I find that there are some things that no one ever talks about in writing classes and writing groups, and when they come to me, I find that there's some things that I need to debunk. So in this post, I'm going to share some of these things. Okay, let's go!

Today, we are taking writing tips straight from the desk of Stephen King. You may have heard of him.

When people ask me what it takes to write a book and get it published, I often point them to Stephen King.

Why? Because he's clearly a talented writer or at least knows how to write books that millions of people read, and it took him four novels before he actually got one published. You've probably heard of Carrie.

If you're having trouble, it's not for lack of talent. He's a great example of that. So let's dive into some strategies that king himself uses to help him write well, and consistently.