Plot Planning

The Historical Hauntings That Inspired This Novel

Christina Li — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 20:50:33 GMT

Current Revision posted to Plot Planning by Christina Li on 10/27/2025 8:50:33 PM

Christina Li shares the historical context that inspired her novel, The Manor of Dreams, her adult literary debut. She is the award-winning author of children’s and young adult books Clues to the Universe, Ruby Lost and Found, and True Love and Other Impossible Odds, which have been selected as a Washington Post summer book club pick, one of the NPR and New York Public Library Best Books of the Year, and recognized for the Asian Pacific American Librarians’ Award for Best Children’s Literature. For more on Christina Li visit: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Christina-Li/213966675.

www.youtube.com/watch

Tags: fiction, Literary Fiction, video, Women's Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror

Plot? Pants? Blueprint!

Jennifer Crosswhite — Tue, 13 May 2025 20:46:08 GMT

Current Revision posted to Plot Planning by Jennifer Crosswhite on 5/13/2025 8:46:08 PM

The System Any Kind of Writer Can Use to Create Compelling Characters and Page-Turning Plots

In this session with book coach, editor, and bestselling author Jennifer Crosswhite, you'll learn how to write deep characters and compelling plot lines without endless planning, massive rewrites, and still have fun.

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Plot-Pants-blueprint-handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../PlotPantsBlueprintTheSystemAnyKindofWriterCanUse.mp4

About the Presenter:
Jennifer Crosswhite is owner and CEO of Tandem Services, an author services company that empowers influencers to harness the transformative power of story to spread their message, create an impact, and leave a legacy. Her twenty years’ experience spans both sides of the publishing desk, from managing editor to author of 20 books and counting.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Plot? Pants? Blueprint!

Author Learning Center — Tue, 13 May 2025 20:42:58 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Plot Planning by Author Learning Center on 5/13/2025 8:42:58 PM

The System Any Kind of Writer Can Use to Create Compelling Characters and Page-Turning Plots

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Plot-Pants-blueprint-handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../PlotPantsBlueprintTheSystemAnyKindofWriterCanUse.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Ethan Joella on the magic of short chapters

Ethan Joella — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 12:34:52 GMT

Current Revision posted to Plot Planning by Ethan Joella on 7/30/2024 12:34:52 PM

From the author of the "Read with Jenna Bonus Pick" book, A Little Hope, The Same Bright Stars is an uplifting and emotionally resonant novel set in a Delaware beach town about a local restaurant owner at a turning point. In this clip, author Ethan Joella discusses why he loves writing in short chapters.

He teaches English and psychology at the University of Delaware, and is the author of A Little Hope, A Quiet Life, and The Same Bright Stars. For more on this author visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Ethan-Joella/178936526.

youtube.com/watch

Tags: Commercial Fiction, fiction, Literary Fiction, video

Ethan Joella on the magic of short chapters

Ethan Joella — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 12:34:08 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Plot Planning by Ethan Joella on 7/30/2024 12:34:08 PM

From the author of the "Read with Jenna Bonus Pick" book, A Little Hope, The Same Bright Stars is an uplifting and emotionally resonant novel set in a Delaware beach town about a local restaurant owner at a turning point. Author Ethan Joella discusses why he loves writing in short chapters.

youtube.com/watch

Tags: Commercial Fiction, fiction, Literary Fiction, video

How to Write a Fiction Series

Allie Pleiter — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 19:37:56 GMT

Current Revision posted to Plot Planning by Allie Pleiter on 7/10/2024 7:37:56 PM

Bestselling author Allie Pleiter, who has written over 60 books including eight series for both traditional and independent publishing, shares the secrets of crafting a great series. Whether you’re proposing it to a publisher or utilizing a series to power up your indie career, you’ll come away with tactics to help you succeed well beyond one book. This webinar will cover:

• Capitalizing on the advantages of a series
•  The different ways to structure a series
•  Single author and multi author possibilities
•  Building a plot arc strong enough to support a series
•  Handing off from one book to another
•  Crafting strong lead characters
•  Consistency in world-building
•  Series pitfalls to avoid

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Fiction-Series_5F00_Pleiter-ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowtoWriteaFictionSeries.mp4
About the Presenter:
Award-winning bestselling author Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction working on as many as four books at a time. She teaches writers how to achieve the consistent, dependable productivity today’s market requires. The author of over 60 published titles, Allie has spent a decade in the publishing profession with over 1.8 million books sold worldwide. In addition to her own writing career, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on faith, the creative process, women’s issues, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management.

Tags: Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen and Young Adult, Romance and Erotica, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction

How to Write a Fiction Series

Allie Pleiter — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 19:37:38 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Plot Planning by Allie Pleiter on 7/10/2024 7:37:38 PM

Readers love a series. Agents love series. Both indie authors and publishers know that a well-connected series can gain loyal fans and increase sales. Series also create opportunities for those “extras” that can serve as lead magnets, give-aways, fan bonuses, and promotional tools.
Bestselling author Allie Pleiter, who has written over 60 books including eight series for both traditional and independent publishing, shares the secrets of crafting a great series. Whether you’re proposing it to a publisher or utilizing a series to power up your indie career, you’ll come away with tactics to help you succeed well beyond one book. This webinar will cover:

Tags: Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen and Young Adult, Romance and Erotica, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction

How to Write a Fiction Series

Author Learning Center — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 19:10:58 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Plot Planning by Author Learning Center on 7/10/2024 7:10:58 PM

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Fiction-Series_5F00_Pleiter-ALC-Handout.pdf

About the Presenter:
Award-winning bestselling author Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction working on as many as four books at a time. She teaches writers how to achieve the consistent, dependable productivity today’s market requires. The author of over 60 published titles, Allie has spent a decade in the publishing profession with over 1.8 million books sold worldwide. In addition to her own writing career, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on faith, the creative process, women’s issues, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management.

Tags: Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen and Young Adult, Romance and Erotica, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction

Page-Turning Scenes: The sequence that keeps your readers reading, no matter your genre

Jennifer Crosswhite — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 20:32:38 GMT

Current Revision posted to Plot Planning by Jennifer Crosswhite on 6/19/2024 8:32:38 PM

Want to write a book that keeps readers engaged throughout?

Understanding the basics of scene structure is the building block of writing a compelling novel. Join us as book coach, editor, and bestselling author Jennifer Crosswhite reviews this important storytelling element.

NOTE: This presentation will provide helpful tips for both fiction authors and memoir authors.

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Page_2D00_turning-Scenes_5F00_ALC_5F00_Crosswhite.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Pageturningscenesthesequencethatkeepsyourreadersreadingnomatteryourgenre.mp4

Tags: fiction, Biographies & Memoir, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Page-Turning Scenes: The sequence that keeps your readers reading, no matter your genre

Author Learning Center — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 20:28:28 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Plot Planning by Author Learning Center on 6/19/2024 8:28:28 PM

Want to write a book that keeps readers engaged throughout?

NOTE: This presentation will provide helpful tips for both fiction authors and memoir authors.

Tags: fiction, Biographies & Memoir, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

The 5 Elements of Plot

Jeanne Lyet Gassman — Tue, 28 May 2024 13:09:04 GMT

Current Revision posted to Plot Planning by Jeanne Lyet Gassman on 5/28/2024 1:09:04 PM

In fiction, plot is defined as the series of events (action) that make up a story. Most plots follow a structure known as Freytag’s triangle, which has five basic elements:

Exposition/Introduction
Inciting Incident
Rising Action
Climax
Denouement/Conclusion

In this webinar with award-winning author Jeanne Lyet Gassman, we look at each one of these five plot elements in more detail with specific examples of each. In addition, we explore basic outlining techniques that help you develop a plot and narrative for your novel or story that will keep the reader turning the pages.

Here are the handouts referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../4812.Plot_5F00_Freytags-Pyramid-ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../7217.Plot_5F00_Outlining-Techniques-ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../The5ElementsofPlot24.mp4

About the Presenter
Jeanne Lyet Gassman lives in the mountains of New Mexico where she writes and teaches. Her debut novel, 'Blood of a Stone' (Tuscany Press), received a Bronze 2015 Independent Publisher Book Award. Her short work has been nominated for Best Small Fictions and the Pushcart Prize. Other awards include fellowships from Ragdale and the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Her short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry have been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies, including Clerestory, 45 Poems of Protest: The Pandemic, Bosque7, Dear America: Reflections on Race, Debris & Detritus: The Lesser Greek Gods Running Amok, The Manifest-Station, and Hippocampus Magazine, among many others. Jeanne recently received a New Mexico Writers Grant for her novel-in-progress, a story about a family of downwinders who were affected by the radioactive fallout from the atomic bomb tests in Nevada. You can learn more about Jeanne at her website: http://jeannelyetgassman.com/ or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JeanneLyetGassman.

Tags: fiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

The 5 Elements of Plot

Author Learning Center — Fri, 24 May 2024 19:20:26 GMT

Revision 7 posted to Plot Planning by Author Learning Center on 5/24/2024 7:20:26 PM

In fiction, plot is defined as the series of events (action) that make up a story. Most plots follow a structure known as Freytag’s triangle, which has five basic elements:

Exposition/Introduction
Inciting Incident
Rising Action
Climax
Denouement/Conclusion

Tags: fiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

How Rebecca Serle Crafts Magical Reads

Rebecca Serle — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 14:14:18 GMT

Current Revision posted to Plot Planning by Rebecca Serle on 2/28/2024 2:14:18 PM

Rebecca Serle discusses how magical elements informed and inspired In Five Years, One Italian Summer, and her newest novel, Expiration Dates. For more on this New York Times Bestselling author visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Rebecca-Serle/82459605.

www.youtube.com/watch

Tags: fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance and Erotica, video, Women's Fiction

Keys to Writing a Successful Romance Series

Aleatha Romig — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 18:54:09 GMT

Current Revision posted to Plot Planning by Aleatha Romig on 9/1/2023 6:54:09 PM

Per the Romance Writers of America, every romance story must end with a "Happily Ever After" in order to be considered true romance. New York Times bestselling romance author Aleatha Romig agrees with this element, but makes her characters and readers work a little harder to get there with the books in her series. Sometimes, her readers have to get through four or five books before the characters reach their happily ever after. This anticipation keeps readers coming back, as do her unique storylines. With over fifty titles in her portfolio, Romig is careful to make sure that each book and each series is very different from one another.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../KeystoWritingaSuccessfulRomanceSeries.mp4

Tags: Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, fiction, Romance and Erotica, video

Keys to Writing a Successful Romance Series

Aleatha Romig — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 17:43:10 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Plot Planning by Aleatha Romig on 9/1/2023 5:43:10 PM

Per the Romance Writers of America, every romance story must end with a "Happily Ever After" in order to be considered true romance. New York Times bestselling romance author Aleatha Romig agrees with this element, but makes her characters and readers work a little harder to get there with the books in her series. Sometimes, her readers have to get through four or five books before the characters reach their happily ever after. This anticipation keeps readers coming back, as do her unique storylines. With over 50 titles in her portfolio, Romig is careful to make sure that each book and each series is very different from one another.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../KeystoWritingaSuccessfulRomanceSeries.mp4

Tags: Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, fiction, Romance and Erotica, video

Keys to Writing a Successful Romance Series

Aleatha Romig — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:06:39 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Plot Planning by Aleatha Romig on 9/1/2023 12:06:39 AM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../KeystoWritingaSuccessfulRomanceSeries.mp4

Elements of a Fairytale Retelling

Annie Sullivan — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 16:43:31 GMT

Current Revision posted to Plot Planning by Annie Sullivan on 6/15/2023 4:43:31 PM

A fairytale retelling, also called a "fractured fairytale", means taking a myth, legend, fairytale or children's story, and telling it in a new way. Per young adult fantasy author Annie Sullivan, this new approach can be implemented in the setting, a character, the ending, or even in telling the story from a new perspective. She encourages writers to find the aspect of that original story that really appeals to you, and then think about how you can put your own twist on it. In her novel, A Touch of Gold, Sullivan used the mythical story of King Midas as her inspiration, but focused on the perspective of King Midas' daughter and how she was turned to gold. She recommends authors find at least 2, possibly 3, new elements to add to their version of the story to make it intriguing.

Sullivan enjoys using fairytales as a foundation for her stories because she loves putting a twist on the princess aspect, where the princess has more power and control instead of being saved all of the time.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ElementsofaFairytaleRetelling.mp4

Tags: fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen and Young Adult, video, Children's Books

Elements of a Fairytale Retelling

Annie Sullivan — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 16:38:17 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Plot Planning by Annie Sullivan on 6/15/2023 4:38:17 PM

A fairytale retelling, also called a "fractured fairytale", means taking a myth, legend, fairytale or children's story, and telling it in a new way. Per young adult fantasy author Annie Sullivan, this new approach can be in the setting, a character, the ending, or even telling the story from a new perspective. She encourages writers to find the aspect of that original story that really appeals to you, and then think about how you can put your own twist on it. In her novel, A Touch of Gold, Sullivan used the mythical story of King Midas as her inspiration, but focused on the perspective of King Midas' daughter and how she was turned to gold. She recommends authors find at least 2, possibly 3, new elements to add to their version of the story to make it intriguing.

Sullivan enjoys using fairytales as a foundation for her stories because she loves putting a twist on the princess aspect, where the princess has more power and control instead of being saved all of the time.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ElementsofaFairytaleRetelling.mp4

Tags: fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen and Young Adult, video, Children's Books

Creating Marvelous Magic Systems: The 7-Stage Process for Writers

C.R. Rowenson — Thu, 18 May 2023 13:23:42 GMT

Current Revision posted to Plot Planning by C.R. Rowenson on 5/18/2023 1:23:42 PM

Magic can fit into nearly any fiction genre while making your story more unique and, well, YOU!

So, if you're interested in adding magic to your story and your world, join Clark Rowenson as he walks through the seven stage process to create marvelous magic systems.

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC-Handout_5F00_Magic-Systems_5F00_Rowenson.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../CreatingMarvelousMagicSystemsThe7StageProcessforWriters.mp4

About the Presenter:
Fascinated by magic since pine cones could be fireballs, C. R. Rowenson (Clark) is an award-winning author, blogger, and writing coach that studies magic building like others study oil-painting. His prime directive is to help storytellers craft and repair unforgettable magic systems in their stories. You can visit https://crrowenson.com/ to witness, fuel, or join in his obsession.

Tags: Science Fiction and Fantasy, Religious & Inspirational, Teen and Young Adult, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar, Mythology & Folk Tales, Historical Fiction, Horror

Creating Marvelous Magic Systems: The 7-Stage Process for Writers

Author Learning Center — Thu, 18 May 2023 13:21:51 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Plot Planning by Author Learning Center on 5/18/2023 1:21:51 PM

Magic can fit into nearly any fiction genre while making your story more unique and, well, YOU!

So, if you're interested in adding magic to your story and your world, join Clark Rowenson as he walks through the seven stage process to create marvelous magic systems.

Tags: Science Fiction and Fantasy, Religious & Inspirational, Teen and Young Adult, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar, Mythology & Folk Tales, Historical Fiction, Horror