The Busy Writer's Book of Checklists
The Busy Writer's Book of Checklists

Author: M. R. McAlister

Publisher: Blue Gem Publishing

Published: 2012-08-08

Total Pages: 75

ISBN-13:

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The humble checklist can save writers hours of time and frustration. From Day One, armed with a checklist to test your initial story idea, you can ensure that you have enough conflict, tension, and challenges to keep readers turning the pages. (That’s much better than getting halfway through writing it only to find that your lovely bright shiny idea won’t hold up!) With a plotting checklist at your elbow, you can run through the list of ‘essentials’ to apply to your novel– like character motivation, plausibility, and crisis points, to name just a few of the things you have to consider. What you will find in The Busy Writer’s Book of Checklists: # Six Foundation Checklists: Getting Ideas, Plotting, Characters, Viewpoint, Dialogue, and Scenes. # Three checklists for Setting and Subplots # Four Checklists on Getting Organized: Your time, your workspace, your files, and your projects # Three checklists for starting and running writer’s groups – including a feedback checklist # Four checklists for social networking and websites (Setting up a website or blog, Facebook, Twitter, and establishing your writer’s network) # Three checklists on getting published (researching publishers, writing a synopsis, and publishing on Kindle) In total, there are 23 super-useful checklists—and as a special bonus, writers who buy this book are eligible for a full set of printable checklists that they can use again and again!

The Busy Writer's One-Hour Character
The Busy Writer's One-Hour Character

Author: M. R. McAlister

Publisher: Blue Gem Publishing

Published: 2012-07-12

Total Pages: 65

ISBN-13:

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Characters are the heart of your book. No matter how good your plot is, if you don't fill the pages with vibrant, interesting characters, your book won't reach its potential—and you won't win hordes of raving fans. What every writer needs is a fast-track way of creating characters that let you hit the ground running, but leaves plenty of room for growth as you write. The One-Hour Character system shows you how to come up with the Lead Character, other main characters, and a solid supporting cast in just sixty minutes. Team it with the One-Hour Plot, and you’ll have a plot and characters sorted out in less than the time it takes you to go out to dinner! # You’ll learn of six different sources for characters, and how to best use those sources–as well as a few others. # You’ll learn about the different character types that you’ll need: the Lead, the Antagonist, other main characters, a romantic interest (if applicable), sidekicks, confidants and walk-ons. # Step by step, you’ll be walked through the process of creating characters – but with a time limit, so you know that at the end of an hour, you will be ready to start directing your new cast! You also learn how to tweak your characters. You'll find out: # how to give your characters a distinctive voice (tips on dialogue) # how to develop series characters (leaving room for a secret or two) # how to ensure that your characters suit your chosen genre # tips on naming your characters # tips on character growth and development # the importance of giving your characters goals Just one hour—that's all it will take. In the beginning, you'll have a few ideas and a blank sheet of paper. In the end, you'll have a cast of characters, eagerly awaiting their debut!

Write A Book Now: The Busy Writer's MegaPack
Write A Book Now: The Busy Writer's MegaPack

Author: M. R. McAlister

Publisher: Blue Gem Publishing

Published: 2018-12-18

Total Pages: 359

ISBN-13:

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“I am a great fan of Marg McAlister's work and have been for over 10 years. Everything she writes is simple to understand, and it works if you work it!” Grace Lee Patrick The Busy Writer’s MegaPack was compiled in response to many readers who asked for the entire Busy Writer library in one collection. You’ll find a ton of information here to get you well on the way to publication. To successfully write and publish a book, you need to have these things in place: # A step-by-step program to get you out of the gate and running: a take-no-prisoners Kickstart Program for writers. # A sound knowledge of the genre in which you want to publish. # Interesting, vibrant characters that readers will enjoy and want to get to know # A well-paced plot that keeps the reader turning pages, eager to find out what happens next # A comprehensive set of checklists to ensure that you’ve left nothing out (characters, plot, pacing, dialogue, and more) This full collection of Busy Writer books provides you with the tools for every item on the list above, plus a sound basis for popular genres with the addition of Writing for Children, Writing Romance, and Writing Mystery, Crime & Suspense. Many genres have some of those elements: characters are caught up in a romance or trying to solve a mystery. Writing for children can encompass anything from simple picture books right through to young adult books. With the Busy Writer’s MegaPack by your side, you’ll be up and running in no time!

Write A Book Fast: The Busy Writer's Starter Pack
Write A Book Fast: The Busy Writer's Starter Pack

Author: M. R. McAlister

Publisher: Blue Gem Publishing

Published: 2012-10-07

Total Pages: 156

ISBN-13:

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What you get in "WRITE A BOOK FAST - The Busy Writer's Starter Pack" The Busy Writer's Starter Pack brings together FOUR of the most popular books in the Busy Writer Series: # The Busy Writer's One-Hour Plot # The Busy Writer's One-Hour Character # The Busy Writer's Book of Checklists # The Busy Writer's Kickstart Program Armed with this collection of books for writers, you will be able to see your novel taking shape after just a few hours—and if you’re having trouble organizing your life to find time to write, simply follow the eight easy steps in the Kickstart Program to get your novel underway! Here's what other writers have said about the four books in this collection: The Busy Writer's One-Hour Plot: "I have read many books about all aspects of writing during my writing years. None compare with this book - it's a winner for sure. It is clear, concise and to the point." The Busy Writer's One-Hour Character: "I followed Marg's instructions and at the end of one strictly-timed hour, which she has divided into 7 segments, I had a cast of characters for my story. I was stoked!" The Busy Writer's Book of Checklists: "Four years ago a friend introduced me to the Plotting Checklist you see in this book. My friend is a professional book reviewer, and she'd stumbled across it on Marg McAlister's website. We both thought it was marvelous... and instantly, we figured where we were heading wrong. I've been hoping for a fuller list of lists ever since. Wow. So here they all are." The Busy Writer’s Kickstart Program: "It's obvious that this author has been there. She has captured the essence of the busy writer's life and offered inspiration, but also practical tips to guide you through those challenging times. This book will help you to clear your physical as well as mental workspace. Once your creativity is pushing through those barriers again, you will find practical advice on developing plots as well as three-dimensional and believable characters. This book is well organized for easy reference." If You're Ready to Write A Book, "Write a Book Fast" will Get You On Track!

The Busy Writer's Kickstart Program
The Busy Writer's Kickstart Program

Author: M. R. McAlister

Publisher: Blue Gem Publishing

Published: 2012-05-26

Total Pages: 68

ISBN-13:

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The Busy Writer's KickStart Program gives you an 8-Step Plan to get your writing on track again—or to set you up for success from the very start, if you're a beginner. You will learn: # How to clear your life from physical, mental and emotional clutter # How to treat your writing like a project, so you stay on track # How to set yourself up for success by changing the way you look at time # Typical roadblocks for writers and how to get past them # The importance of feedback, support and rewards # Strategies for improving your technique # Insights into plotting and characters # How to keep yourself heading along the road to success Follow an 8-week plan, assigning one week to each step, or modify the KickStart Program to suit your way of life and your writing agenda.

The Checklist Book
The Checklist Book

Author: Alexandra Franzen

Publisher: Mango Media Inc.

Published: 2020-01-14

Total Pages: 181

ISBN-13: 1642501190

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Master both major and minor tasks—by going back to the basics and writing out a simple checklist. It will change your life. The checklist is one of the world’s oldest—and most effective—productivity systems. If anything, says entrepreneur Alexandra Franzen, it is just as valuable now as it was during the days of the Roman Empire, allowing us to tangibly plan our day and set in stone what we want to accomplish. There are countless apps and organizational systems promising to help us straighten out our lives, but often they only add to the madness and leave us feeling drained and overwhelmed. Learn how to: · Choose your highest priorities · Set realistic goals · Celebrate tiny wins · Feel calmer every day By physically writing down our tasks on a single piece of paper, we force ourselves to be realistic and limit how much we can do in a day. Too often, we cram our day with tasks and chores and leave almost no space for self-care or time with loved ones. We end up disappointed in our inability to complete our never-ending to-do list. Checklists help you accomplish what needs to be done—and enjoy things you want to be doing, too. “There are thousands of books on how to become more organized and productive, but very few have the heart, soul, humor, and gentle encouragement of this book.” —Ellen Fondiler, career and business strategist

The Busy Writer's Self-Editing Toolbox
The Busy Writer's Self-Editing Toolbox

Author: M.R. McAlister

Publisher: Blue Gem Publishing

Published: 2012-05-26

Total Pages: 45

ISBN-13:

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Editing a manuscript involves far more than doing a spelling and grammar check and fixing up a sentence here and there that doesn't flow. You need to know (a) the common mistakes that authors make (so you can avoid them or fix them) and (b) all the things that can affect a reader's opinion of your book. How The Busy Writer's Self-Editing Toolbox Will Help You In this handy self-editing guide, you will discover: # How color-coding can give you an instant snapshot of any problems with repetitive phrases, dull dialogue, style and tone, and problems with person or tense # Common errors made with viewpoint, and how to fix them # Important understandings about viewpoint # How to edit and polish dialogue so it sounds natural # The DOs and DON'Ts of writing dialogue # How "too much" of anything can ruin your story and alienate your readers # General tips on building your skills With The Self-Editing Toolbox at your elbow, you will understand exactly what you need to do so your story moves from being just average to one that wins you a loyal band of readers. If you're a beginner, then The Busy Writer's Self-Editing Toolbox will save you hours of time—and probably quite a few rejections. If you're more experienced, then you can just dip into the Toolbox for whatever you need to help you with those problem areas. Here's what some satisfied users of the Self-Editing Toolbox say about it: "I used this when editing my books… Once you know what to look for and how to fix it, these self-editing techniques make your writing tight and powerful." [D.J. Stutley, author of Operation Foxtrot Five and 4 others in the series.] "The Self-Editing Toolbox really is every writer's essential guide to editing their book to submission standard: easy to follow, yet effective. The color-coding makes it so easy to sort the rough spots from the prose that glows. I still have some polishing to do but my test readers say they can't wait for more chapters as my characters 'live off the page.' I love they're so hooked by a story that I was struggling to finish and feared I couldn't develop to its full potential. I so nearly gave up on this WIP. With The Self-Editing Toolbox, you really have taken the hard graft out of writing." [Viv Adams, Romance Writer]

The Busy Woman's Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book
The Busy Woman's Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book

Author: Cynthia Morris

Publisher:

Published: 2019-05-15

Total Pages: 220

ISBN-13: 9780975922477

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This book takes the confusion and uncertainty out of writing a non-fiction book. It's a step-by-step guide to clarifying the message, organizing the material and writing in ways that work for the reader's goals and lifestyle. Writer's coach Cynthia Morris gives you a map to help you design and enjoy your own writing practice.

The Busy Writer's Tips on Writing Mystery, Crime & Suspense
The Busy Writer's Tips on Writing Mystery, Crime & Suspense

Author: M. R. McAlister

Publisher: Blue Gem Publishing

Published: 2013-05-02

Total Pages: 98

ISBN-13:

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A glance at any best-seller list will tell you how popular mystery, crime and suspense stories are with readers. Most of you will find this perfectly understandable! There's nothing like the thrill of the chase or the intellectual challenge of trying to guess 'whodunit' or 'whydunit' before the sleuth. If you're the writer, this presents you with a challenge. You have to juggle a lot of balls at once. You need to: # come up with an intriguing mystery (or an edge-of-the-seat thriller) that will keep readers up long past bedtime # keep your sleuth busy tracking down the perpetrator # weave in and bring to life other significant characters # leave a trail of not-too-obvious clues if it's a mystery (trying to pull the wool over the reader's eyes) or building suspense with the hero and the Bad Guy on a collision course (if the reader knows who the villain is!) # walk in the shoes of the villain, ensuring that he is a worthy opponent. Oh, and did I mention that you have to write tight scenes, build the suspense, create believable conflict, and choose the correct viewpoint as well? Not to mention how to handle research... Good thing, then, that this is all covered in The Busy Writer's Tips on Writing Mystery, Crime & Suspense! Readers also get a bonus PDF with resources for Mystery/Crime/Suspense writers and a collection of all the reference articles mentioned in the book. In the words of Kathryn Fox, internationally acclaimed author of medical thrillers (Cold Grave and five others): "I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Marg McAlister's books to any aspiring or accomplished writers. She shares priceless insights into structure, characters, setting, action, suspense, and importantly, emotional punch. I’m working on my eighth and ninth books, and I still go back to Marg’s books when writing. I have no doubt that following Marg’s advice saves time, energy, and rewrites. A necessity in any crime writer's library!"

The Checklist Manifesto
The Checklist Manifesto

Author: Atul Gawande

Publisher: Metropolitan Books

Published: 2010-04-01

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 1429953381

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The New York Times bestselling author of Being Mortal and Complications reveals the surprising power of the ordinary checklist We live in a world of great and increasing complexity, where even the most expert professionals struggle to master the tasks they face. Longer training, ever more advanced technologies—neither seems to prevent grievous errors. But in a hopeful turn, acclaimed surgeon and writer Atul Gawande finds a remedy in the humblest and simplest of techniques: the checklist. First introduced decades ago by the U.S. Air Force, checklists have enabled pilots to fly aircraft of mind-boggling sophistication. Now innovative checklists are being adopted in hospitals around the world, helping doctors and nurses respond to everything from flu epidemics to avalanches. Even in the immensely complex world of surgery, a simple ninety-second variant has cut the rate of fatalities by more than a third. In riveting stories, Gawande takes us from Austria, where an emergency checklist saved a drowning victim who had spent half an hour underwater, to Michigan, where a cleanliness checklist in intensive care units virtually eliminated a type of deadly hospital infection. He explains how checklists actually work to prompt striking and immediate improvements. And he follows the checklist revolution into fields well beyond medicine, from disaster response to investment banking, skyscraper construction, and businesses of all kinds. An intellectual adventure in which lives are lost and saved and one simple idea makes a tremendous difference, The Checklist Manifesto is essential reading for anyone working to get things right.