The Novel Matrix is all around us. You see it when you turn on the TV, when you read a book, and when you go to church. Additional story examples will help to unveil the power of the Novel Matrix, and no examination of story would be complete without taking a hard look at the […]

We all know that a story needs a “setting,” but the universe of your story is one of the most overlooked power tools in the novelist’s toolbox. As a novelist, defining the universe is both a responsibility and an opportunity. Simply by changing a single rule of the universe, you can fundamentally alter the impact […]

Did you know you’ve been watching and reading the same seven character archetypes over and over again? Sometimes these characters can be combined, but it’s critical that your story includes all seven of these character functions. If it doesn’t, your readers will notice, even if they can’t explain what they’re noticing! ASSIGNMENT: Brainstorm supporting characters […]

How many conflicts should your novel have? The answer is actually pretty simple: five. Too few conflicts and the story will feel stretched and contrived. Too many conflicts and the story will be difficult to follow and fail to have a satisfying ending. Five is the happy medium. Not just any five conflicts. These five […]

First observed by Aristotle more than 2,000 years ago in Ancient Greece, the Three-Act Structure is one of the most powerful and pervasive tools for crafting a novel. Today, we’ll take a look at the typical plot elements found in most long-form stories like novels and movies. This structure will empower you to connect meaningfully […]

Welcome to Day 1 of the 90-Day Novel Challenge. To build a foundation for a successful project, today we’re talking about the importance of structure in your work. There’s a big difference between structure and formula. As artists, we like to pretend that we don’t need any structure to our work at all. We just […]

Welcome to the 90-Day Novel Challenge. Are you ready to write a novel in less than three months? Watch a video version of this podcast on YouTube here, or use the 90-Day Novel Challenge course on The Company’s website. Here’s how the challenge will proceed: Week 1: Learn about tools, systems, and structuresWeek 2: Plan […]